New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-29
THE MOVING PLATFORM.
Ihirtyfourth Street Project Nay
S0lUe Future Traffic Problems.

A plan which augurs the extinction of the
"straphanger" awaits the approval of the Pub
lie Service Commission. 1t is the building OF
| a moving platform subway in 34th street be-
tween Second and Ninth avenues Already the
undertaking bears the approval stamp of the
Board of Estimate. and once again it seems
that the pedestrian of to-day is going to be the
passenger of tomorrow, which likelihood
arouses marked enthusiasm in the bosoms of a
host of ;}4th street merchants.
The project has hung fire since last December,
when the Board of Estimate and Apportonmen.
passed its favorable resolution, because it was
thought the rapid transit act did not authorize
the Public Service Commission to deal with the
subject Of moving platforms. The act has now
been amended in such way to permit the
commission to take action, and this form OF
intramuraI transportation is likely to be def
niteIy passed upon in short time
The 34th street route is considered an impor-
tant one, owing to the fact that traffic on that
street will be tremendously increased by the
approaching train service to and from the new
Pennsylvania terminal. 1t is estimated that
one hundred and fifty thousand passengers will
be unloaded daily at the terminal, and that with
this addition to the present traffic the cross
town car lines will be unable to cope with the
situation.
The underground moving platform, if finally
twenty or forty feet below the street surface.
according to the decision of that body. and is
calculated to act as clearing house for all pas
sengers arriving and departing from the ter
minaL
At present the average speed Of the crosstown
surface does not exceed three fouI
miles an hour in the congested periods, and the
crowded conditions fast becoming intoera-
BILE The moving platform is arranged that
all it's passengers will be seated a noiseless
and continuous vehicle travelling twelve miles
hour
On entering the subway the pedestrian LII
find himself upon a stationary platform, which
is separated from the twelve-nile platform by
three smaller platforms. each two and a half
feet in width. The platform nearest the pedes-
trian will be moving at a rate of three miles
hour, the next six miles an hour and the
third nine miles of hour. Last Of all Will come
the twelve-mile platform with seats.
By this device one easily step to tie fast
est moving platform without fear of injury.
There can be no delay waiting for trains at
stations, for the train will be always present
and constantly moving. The passengers may
board or leave the train at will, and the sta
lions may be placed at every intersection OF
streets. The platform will have q capacity far
greater than the combined rush hour service OF
local and express subway trains. and will carry
all passengers seated To support this
tention the following table is given:
passengers hour lin direction at rush
hours:
Flve-car local trains. 1900 $4,000 e2500
ESht-car express trains. 10000 $4,000 &c 900
Moving platform ........... 1850 1860
For all distances less than four miles the
moving platform, it is promised. will be quicker
than the subway. Assuming that the average
passenger starts from a point some little dis
Continued eighth page.