Citation

Hocking RJ, Kuner R. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 614: 6-13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A technical study of the feasibility of providing northern access for train passengers to the upper and lower level platform at Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan is reported. At present, access is available at the southern ends of the platforms only. The purposes of the study were to identify (a) the functions of Grand Central Terminal, (b) the best location for northern access pedestrian facilities, (c) the passageway widths required to handle peak volumes, and (d) the impacts of the recommended design on the movement of people and trains. Four types of surveys, an on-board rail passenger survey; a pedestrian interview survey; pedestrian volume counts; and special studies on pedestrian walking speeds; platform and train discharge times, and the number of encumbered persons, were conducted. Grand Central Terminal functions as an intermodal transfer facility, a link in the midtown pedestrian network, a commercial center, and an extension of the subway stations. The recommended improvement concept includes two east-west and two north-south passageways to serve both the upper and lower level platforms. The impacts of 25 and 50 percent increases in passengers on the widths required for the proposed passageways were estimated, based on evaluation criteria related to congestion, walking distances, travel times, railroad operations, handicapped persons, orientation, and capital and operating costs.