New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) tests two prototypes of portable vacuum systems to keep clean metro infrastructure. For MTA New York City Transit, cleaning up is performed by a combination of manpower and powerful vacuum trains, but now Transit is getting some help: portable track vacuums.
The two prototypes can be quickly deployed and easily used without special equipment such as work trains. Both prototypes are powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries that supply enough electricity for strong suction but can be moved from station to station on a regular passenger train and be operated from the platform. The prototypes are the third phase in an ongoing multi-pronged cleanup initiative, Operation Track Sweep, to dramatically reduce the amount of trash on tracks and improve the station environment, which in turn will help reduce debris fires that cause train delays.
Operation Track Sweep continues with a fourth phase in 2017, when the first of three new powerful track vacuum trains is due to arrive.
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