inflatable subway portal plug

[Charliemta]

Interesting article on new inflatable plug developed to protect subway portals during floods:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170621170156.htm

[BandA]

I can see it now: "subway shut down due to accidental deployment of portal plug by teenagers"

[RenegadeMonster]

I can see it now: "subway shut down due to accidental deployment of portal plug by teenagers"

Yeah, good thing they are portable. That means that hopefully they aren't stored in the tunnels and deployed by crews only when needed.

[Rbts Stn]

Only took them 2.5 years from when I suggested it!

They need one of those inflatable 35,000 gallon subway plugs!

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/engineering/infrastructure/the-inflatable-35000-gallon-subway-plug-7795767?click=pm_latest

[BandA]

The MBTA is all about customization, but not innovation. Except for those snow plow bobcat hirails, but that was one man's innovation.

[RenegadeMonster]

The MBTA is all about customization, but not innovation. Except for those snow plow bobcat hirails, but that was one man's innovation.

So no doodlebugs on the horizon?

[Backshophoss]

Amtrak and NYCTA could have used those plugs around the time Sandy made it's way up the east coast.
There would not been the problems that surfaced after Sandy damaged the tunnels.

[Aerie]

If I remember correctly from a tour I took, during WW2 the London Underground installed flood gates on all the tunnels under the Thames, which were closed during air raids.

[BandA]

The MBTA is all about customization, but not innovation. Except for those snow plow bobcat hirails, but that was one man's innovation.

So no doodlebugs on the horizon?

Nor hi-rail diesel/electric buses, sadly. As much as we make fun of it, this inflatable plug is a good idea! Or a giant rubber stopper.

[jbvb]

After Hurricane Sandy, I recall reading about a big water-balloon plug they had for one of the NYC tunnels - didn't stand up to the pressure differential as the water outside rose.