andrewjw wrote:ExCon90 wrote:Where the through tracks are concerned, there's also the question of how long it takes for all passengers to leave the platform before the next train comes in; the existing platforms were designed for an era of long trains of Pullmans with about 20 to 27 passengers per car. Ten-car trains of multilevels were not contemplated. Is there an estimate of how long it takes to clear the 11-12 platform after arrival of a train of maximum length, assuming there isn't a train on the other track?
I wouldn't be surprised if it is less. Typical passengers on MLVs have almost no luggage and are prepared to exit swiftly, whereas the Pullman trains you speak of would spend a significant amount of time at a platform to allow passengers and staff to tend to their luggage, pack up after arriving, etc...
This is not how it typically goes, though. Many passengers do have luggage often, and it's clunky getting it down the stairs. The MLVs take a long time to empty, because of the the two levels - it takes a while to get people up or down the stairs. Factor in the sheer volume of people emptying out of 10 MLVs, and the very narrow platforms at Penn fill up fast.
Then, factor in that some of the escalators are running the wrong way. On top of all that, there might be another train emptying across the platform - or even worse, an Amtrak or NJT train boarding. Which puts passengers coming down fighting those going up.
As others have mentioned, the station was not designed to handle commuter volume outside of the LIRR tracks. The platforms are too narrow, and the Exit concourse is not used solely for exiting (and the main concourse is no longer used solely for boarding). Whatever is theoretically possible regarding train capacity per hour from a signaling/movement POV has to factor in emptying the platforms of passengers.