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Disaster-Proofing NYC Transit Subways in Lower Manhattan

Explore the impact of Hurricane Sandy on NYC subways in Lower Manhattan, financial hurdles faced by the MTA, and innovative protective measures underway to disaster-proof the transit system. Learn about the attitudes of major policy camps and the importance of unity in disaster preparedness.

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Disaster-Proofing NYC Transit Subways in Lower Manhattan

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  1. Disaster-Proofing NYC Transit Subways in Lower Manhattan Aleksandr, Ben Chan, Pinhao Liang, YashBhardwaj

  2. Hurricane Sandy • Hit New York City in late October 2012 • Deadliest hurricane of the 2012 season • 2nd costliest hurricane in United States history, only behind Hurricane Katrina • Damages estimated to be around $50 billion for New York

  3. Hurricane Sandy • Devastated the New York City Transit System (esp. in lower Manhattan) • Never in its 108 year history had the NYC subway ever witnessed such a storm • Subways shut down for days before service resumed

  4. South Ferry Station • Suffered the worst from the hurricane • About 30,000 riders were inconvenienced after the storm • Escalators, tracks, signals, switches, turnstiles and other MetroCard equipment were significantly damaged • Scheduled to reopen in a couple of years

  5. South Ferry

  6. South Ferry

  7. Damage Signal Systems that prevent train collisions will need to be evaluated. The third rail, which is responsible for propelling the trains, needs to cleaned

  8. For/Against Disaster Proofing • Mayor Bloomberg does not see the need for spending $600 million on one station because he considers events like Hurricane Sandy very rare • Governor Cuomo supports the idea. He believes that “the challenge is not just to build back, but to build back better than before”.

  9. Policy History • Timeline of storms affecting NYC subways

  10. Current preventive measures • Grates, pumps, sandbagging • New experimental structures like hybrid useful grating. Photo credits: http://www.cityandstateny.com/storm-proofing-the-mta/ http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/three-in-one-flood-protection-benches-and-bike-parking-in-a-new-design/

  11. MTA, not a financially healthy institution • They have been using debt to finance capital improvement for decades. • In 2009, rising debt costs and falling incomes create a debt crisis requiring immediate attention. • Debt crisis has passed, but only through tough measures, and only in the short term.

  12. MTA Revenues

  13. MTA operational expenses

  14. Grim prospects, or are they? • MTA finances reduced by debt servicing; new cuts or savings must be found in new budget plans. • It would seem that the MTA would be very cautious with their existing budget money.

  15. Enter the MTA’s mega-projects • The MTA has been funding projects to bring service to new areas including East Side Access, the Second Ave. Subway, and the 7 subway line extensions. • These are multi-billion, several year long projects, that demonstrate the MTA’s priorities.

  16. A silver lining… • Capital projects are king with the MTA. They are High priority, and worth the debt in their eyes. • Federal disaster relief money could be a source of funding for protective projects. • Even the state received money for future protection purposes, of which some may be allocated for the MTA.

  17. Major Policy Camps Supportive: LM Subway Riders Federal Government Against: Local Politicians TWU Neutral: MTA Board State Government Other Commuters

  18. Major Policy Camps • In order for the city to prepare for future disaster, these policy camps need to form an uniform opinion. • Being informed  Being aware  Being active  Being prepared  Being disaster READY!! Picture credits: http://visionwellnesscenter.com/testimonials/

  19. Major Policy Camps Being Supportive Lower-Manhattan Subway Riders: This group of people suffer the most since Sandy hit. Their usual commute routes have been alter. Federal Government: Agency such as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding for local government to support disaster preparedness effort. (EX. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program *Sandy related)

  20. Major Policy Camps Being Neutral MTA Board: They are the decision makers of MTA. They represent various interest groups. Members have to take both sides of the argument into decision making. State Government: According to the Executive Law of 1978, NYS required its emergency management committee to be active throughout the year. But it was not enforced. Other Subway Commuters: Other commuters have mixed feelings about installing disaster preparedness infrastructure stations in LM area.

  21. Major Policy Camps Being Against Local Politicians: They are being known for being passionate when it comes to disaster relief. It’s not bad, but what’s behind it might be. A political science study presents the 5 major mechanism that cause the voters’ and politicians’ behaviors towards disaster prevention. Transport Workers Union: They are becoming a hindrance for MTA’s finances. They are actively fighting for more benefits for its members.

  22. Inflatable Stopper • Developed by the Department of Homeland Security • Designed to prevent water from getting in from tunnel entrances • De-flatable and compacct Picture Credit: http://www.dhs.gov/infrastructure-protection-and-disaster-management-projects

  23. Steel Shutters • For protecting equipment inside the stations • Prevent debris from entering stations Picture Credit: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Lexington_Avenue-59th_Street_New_Turnstile.jpg/ Picture Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christopher_Street_subway_entrance.jpg

  24. Alternatives: Japan • Underground tunnels to store water • Drained via giant turbines • Water removed by sending it into the river Picture Credit: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/14/world/asia/tokyo-climate-change-c40/index.html Picture Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AirBaltic_Boeing_737-500_turbine.jpg

  25. Alternative: Japan –Improbable • Uses too much space • Costs too much money • Takes too much time to build

  26. Our Recommendation

  27. Advantages • Uses very little space when not in use • Cheaper than Japan’s tunnels • Supporting American government by purchasing these American developed products

  28. In perspective, Cost not as big as it seems • Counter-args: • Station repair • Lost revenue • Bad public image • Lost productivity • Better to protect few assets than have a large amount of ruined ones

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