Countries around the world are learning that open gangway subway cars can cut crowding as much as 10%, a problem we have yet to solve in the US.
Worldwide, three out of four subways have open gangways (pictured)—meaning one long subway car instead of multiple smaller ones—yet we have none in the US.
Subway designers in the US are conservative when it comes to change, citing concerns of easier access for "beggars, merchants and buskers," Business Insider reports.
US cities could be catching up, though—Honolulu plans to unveil its own open gangway cars in 2018, and NYC might get 10 open cars (in a 950-car order). [BI]
