Quantcast

Subway Tunnels Will Be Laser-ific

2006_09_czjentrap.jpgOoh, those subway crews outfitting things at subway tunnel entrances may not be performing regular ol' maintenance work - they might be installing the new laser systems for the MTA. Why lasers? To prevent trespassers from entering - and we guess that includes trespassers who just want to pee. One laser system has been installed at one end of a subway tunnel, and the MTA is about to award a contract for the installation of another for the other side. (Is it government agency policy to have different contractors install the same technology? Sort of like triple bidding?)

The laser system will be tested and then the MTA will somehow determine if they're effective enough for the rest of the system. We wonder if there are cameras installed as well, because what if the intruders the lasers detect are just really huge rats? As for where the test lasers are, that's a secret! And subway tunnel security is always a big topic.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

Comments [rss]

  • Not Amused

    Yet another way for the State to waste my hard earned tax dollars !

  • webster
  • Desk Sgt.

    Forget lasers, they should install TASERS instead.

  • If anyone read the articles, you would have seen they are going to test them. However, it is most likely going to fail and watching an episode of Mythbusters would have saved some money.

  • Subway too dusty

    Ummm...does anyone else think that lasers in the subway are a bad idea, since there is so much dust generated by the rails that will end up on the sensors? They will have so many false intrusion alerts, they'll start ignoring them.

  • Mark

    You know what would make it completely worth it?

    Attaching those lasers to ill-tempered sea bass.

  • doctor evil

    Did anyone see the episode of Mythbusters where they had to go through some "Lasers" in order to steal an item?

    In other words, waste of money.

  • REALITY CHECK

    What happens if you piss on the laser emitter?

  • another effective way to waste money.

blog comments powered by Disqus

send a tip

tips@gothamist.com