Subway turnstiles
The subway system uses turnstiles for people to enter and exit the trains. Everyone riding the subway uses a metrocard that swipes on the side of the turnstiles in order to pay fro the train ride or rides. The same turnstiles are used for both entering and exiting, causing traffic and backups, interrupting the flow of people and impacting the high pace of movement of the city in general. I observed people waiting for the same turnstile and people trying to enter and exit and the same time, getting in each others way. I think this system proves ineffective in some aspects because it has some design flaws. In addition, people also have jumped the turnstiles in order to get by without paying because the design of the entrance point could allow people to get through the negative space.
In addition to the turnstiles, the subway uses a refillable metrocard to grant people access to the trains. I think that system could be done more effectively because people can lose them and it increases travel time when you need to refill or purchase a new card. I think a smarter redesign of the metrocard system would be a way in in which you could use your credit card to purchase and individual ride by swiping instead of having to carry an extra card with you. The system of the subway in general is congested and not as effective as it could be because I observed the travelers frustrations and issues while using the subway turnstiles.
