Signaling Challenge

How can we make existing subway cars compatible with new signaling tech faster and at lower cost?

A critical part of modernizing the New York City Transit subway signaling system is to make legacy subway cars compatible with new signaling technology.

MTA trains undergo a major overhaul halfway through their 50-year lifespan, and today the MTA has a large fleet of trains due for modernization that need to be equipped with new technology as part of the signaling modernization plan.

Traditional networking methods to connect train and signaling components would make upgrading more expensive than buying new trains. This challenge calls for reliable, cost-effective technology and strategy to upgrade trains and meet the aggressive timeline of the Fast Forward NYC Plan and the MTA's 2020-2024 capital program.

Companies with relevant solutions to the Signaling Challenge should apply by February 3, 2020.

Selected challenge applicants will have an opportunity to demonstrate their technology at the MTA Signaling Demo Day on March 13, 2020.

Apply Now

Resources

LonWorks - IEEE 1473-L is the world's most widely used rail car network. LonWorks IEEE-1473-L is the same control network protocol used on thousands of rail cars from the U.K. to China and across North America. LonWorks also provides the AAR's S-4200 train network standard for next generation Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brakes.
This challenge seeks solutions to integrate signaling technology with the following NYCT:
- 1,030 total R142 subway cars (download specification)
- 220 total R142A subway cars (download specification)
- 10 prototype R211A subway cars (download specification)
- 20 prototype R211T subway cars (download specification)
- 5 prototype R211S subway cars (download specification)
MTA 2020-2024 Capital Program
Fast Forward NYC Plan

Signaling Challenge Criteria

Impact: Technology is feasible, sustainable and resilient in the MTA environment, presents a viable solution relevant to the Signaling Challenge, and has the potential to advance signaling objectives:
- Improved safety of passengers and staff
- On-time performance
- Increased customer satisfaction
- Enhanced operational flexibility
- On-time and on-budget infrastructure program delivery
Product: Technology is in prototype or more mature phase and available for live demonstration, Presenter is able to provide customer metrics or other evidence illustrating market fit and success in other markets.
Team: Company has a qualified, compatible team with sufficient financial resources to ensure successful collaboration with MTA.
Value: Technology presents a new way of deriving more value from existing MTA assets, presents a potential new revenue source or cost savings for the MTA and presents an opportunity to more efficiently manage infrastructure, operations and/or customer service.