Siemens was awarded a $156 million contract by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to install Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) on the Queens Boulevard Line, one of the busiest subway lines on the New York City Transit system.

The radio-based CBTC technology provides real-time data on vehicle position and speed conditions, allowing system operators to safely increase the number of vehicles on a rail line. This results in greater frequency of train arrivals and allows MTA to accommodate more passengers on its system. The CBTC technology reduces the amount of wayside equipment and, as a result, reduces maintenance costs and service disruptions. Additionally, the technology precisely locates each train on the tracks and controls speed, improving on-time performance for riders and employees.

Siemens is supplying the onboard equipment for a total of 305 trains and installing the wayside signaling technology at seven of eight field locations. Through automated signals and sensors throughout the line, the CBTC technology provides continuous updates on system status that results in fewer delays and up-to-date travel information shared with riders via public address systems, electronic screens and mobile applications. The system also reduces the amount of wayside equipment and employs back-up systems, resulting in fewer instances of service disruption and greater reliability.

The system will be managed and deployed by Siemens New York City-based rail automation team of CBTC experts which has been working with NYCT for over 15 years.

Development work is expected to begin on the Queens Boulevard line late this summer with the major installation beginning in mid-2017.