The Connecticut Department of Transportation recently announced that 28 stations, part of Metro-North’s New Haven Line network, will receive upgrades in audio and visual displays on the platforms.
The plan, Project 0300-199, will provide new LED signs, audio address systems, a new visual information system along with other upgrades such as signage and cable upgrades. The mainline New Haven Line, New Canaan Branch and Danbury Branch will all have station upgrades. The Waterbury Branch was not included in the plan.
Four stations on the mainline New Haven Line aren’t mentioned in the plan, Stamford, Stratford, New Haven Union Station and New Haven-State Street. Construction is expected to begin in spring of 2027 and finish in a year. Track closures will occur at night during hours when Metro North trains are not running. The graphics and signs present at the platforms will provide more information about train status, and alerts are expected to be easier to read even in harsh weather with the use of more reliable equipment. The new signage will also give more directions to commuters regarding other platforms and bus stops.
The audio systems will also be split into zones at the stations to ensure specific parts receive certain information needed. The audio systems will also be adjustable depending on if trains are passing by and to also mitigate any noise complaint risks from nearby neighborhoods. The new upgrade systems for both audio and visuals will be synchronized to avoid confusion. The equipment will also be built with climate-controlled cabinets holding together the electrical and network systems with the intention of also extending the life of the equipment with better protection of sensitive wires and cables. The project will be fully funded by the state of Connecticut with an estimated cost of $43 million.
One of the factors for the project is to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, including people who use hearing aids. A cloud-based system will also be used to monitor elevators and escalators for safety purposes. Despite these advancements, some think more needs to be done.
Dora Crespo, a senior international affairs major, commuter assistant and USGA vice president of community, advocacy and diversity, said, “I think it’s a good upgrade because it’s more accessible for others to be able to visually see and hear it because I know a lot of people come in with headphones, hearing aids, or any sort of thing that retains them from being able to hear the system.”
She said, however, that she felt that all the train cars also need upgrades in sound as some don’t contain speakers to alert passengers to what the next stops are. Christina Parrales, a business administration major and commuter assistant, said that West Haven’s station needs an upgrade.
“There’s a lounge area, and yes, they have monitors set up but most of the times you’re getting more of your information from the app itself, and not necessarily from the images that are around you,” said Parrales. She also said that upgrades are needed at New Haven Union Station, which is not part of the current plan.
Kayla Dohna, a psychology major and commuter assistant said, “Before I’ve had track changes and it’s sometimes unintelligible (the speakers) and you can’t hear anything about what they’re saying regarding track changes or even on the trains itself when they’re saying to move back a certain amount of cars because some certain doors open and you can barely hear it.”
She agreed with the point Parrales made about New Haven Union Station being excluded, given how popular the station is with students.
