Updates and Guidance
For operational updates and health guidance from the University, please visit the COVID-19 Resource Guide.
To learn more about our spring term, please visit the Updates for Students page.
For operational updates and health guidance from the University, please visit the COVID-19 Resource Guide.
To learn more about our spring term, please visit the Updates for Students page.
Making Mass Transit More Safe Post-COVID-19
New York City’s economy and livelihood depends heavily on the Mass Transit System (Subways, Buses, Commuter Railroads). Mass Transit carries 6 million people every day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, transit ridership has been reduced to about 10 percent. The challenge is how the system deals with crowds, buses, trains, and stations when NY City reopens for business. The MTA has already started closing the system for 4 hours every night to clean and disinfect stations and railcars thoroughly. What steps can the authorities take to control crush loads into stations and trains? What role should the citizens and businesses play in this effort? On the other hand, as Columbia has been preparing for ramping up labs with an emphasis on social distancing within the campus, higher risks could arise in the process when the employees commute between home and campus, especially those who have to take MTA transit.
This project aims to address travel safety and equity concerns of essential workers and provide a responsible, safe, and integrated transportation solution for the Columbia community and the general NYC population. To operate both the MTA system and Colubmia transportation system safely when NYC reopens, your team will have the following potential design solutions:
Your goal is to design a solution that will provide a safer, more reliable, and integrated transit system for the Columbia community and New Yorkers during episodes of elevated health risks, such as the waning periods of a pandemic or the perennial flu season.
Your efforts will be judged according to: