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THE SUBLINE
2023
REDEFINING NEW YORK’S CITY UNDERGROUND SYSTEM
Industrial Design Master’s thesis, Pratt Institute, NYC
REDEFINING NEW YORK’S CITY UNDERGROUND SYSTEM
Industrial Design Master’s thesis, Pratt Institute, NYC
Context:
New York City's subway system, once a symbol of urban progress, now faces deterioration in many of its unused tracks and stations. These abandoned spaces,
left behindby the Transit Authority offers a unique design opportunity to rethink urban mobility. This research explores the potential of transforming these forgotten tunnels into pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, blending modern technology with sustainable solutions to enhance the city’s infrastructure and commuter experience.
Challenges:
Many of the spaces had deteriorated significantly, research was needed to determine which sections were even viable for redesign. Air quality, noise pollution, and rat infestations were deeply ingrained problems in these tunnels. Public perception of abandoned underground areas.Adapting a historical concept from 1899 to modern needs. The original design—a rail-attached bicycle—was outdated, requiring several iterations to modernize the idea into a user-friendly system that could feasibly operate within a contemporary city framework.
New York City's subway system, once a symbol of urban progress, now faces deterioration in many of its unused tracks and stations. These abandoned spaces,
left behindby the Transit Authority offers a unique design opportunity to rethink urban mobility. This research explores the potential of transforming these forgotten tunnels into pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, blending modern technology with sustainable solutions to enhance the city’s infrastructure and commuter experience.
Challenges:
Many of the spaces had deteriorated significantly, research was needed to determine which sections were even viable for redesign. Air quality, noise pollution, and rat infestations were deeply ingrained problems in these tunnels. Public perception of abandoned underground areas.Adapting a historical concept from 1899 to modern needs. The original design—a rail-attached bicycle—was outdated, requiring several iterations to modernize the idea into a user-friendly system that could feasibly operate within a contemporary city framework.