Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
MTA wants AI cameras on subway trains to spot people on the tracks
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Nov 13, 2026 at 3:07 p.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Nov 13, 2026 at 3:07 p.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The MTA wants to test out artificial intelligence technology that can automatically detect people or objects on the tracks ahead of subway trains, according to documents published by the agency last month.
The agency is seeking a company to install a camera system on the front of a train car that alerts the operator to any hazard on the right of way. The technology would also be able to track any erratic movement by passengers on the edge of subway platforms.
MTA documents show the agency plans to spend between $5 million and $10 million to test the technology, and the agency wants to eventually roll the technology out across its fleet of subway trains.
The technology could help prevent deaths in the subway system. An MTA track worker was killed earlier this year after being struck by a train, and dozens of people have died in recent years after being shoved or deliberately onto subway tracks.
“This project is part of the MTA's commitment to explore emerging technologies aimed at strengthening safety and improving service reliability across the transit system,” MTA spokesperson Michael Cortez said in a statement.
At the end of testing, the technology will be uninstalled from the train while the MTA assess whether it can be rolled out across the system.
The MTA has wrestled with track safety for years. In 2021, the transit agency launched a “track trespassing task force” to look at different ways to avert any intrusions. The agency reported 68 people died while trespassing on subway tracks that year.
At the urging of Gov. Kathy Hochul, the transit agency installed metal barriers on sections of platforms at more than 150 subway stations.
The Federal Railroad Administration in 2024 announced a $32 million grant to help transit agencies develop technology to keep people off of train tracks. That same year, researchers at the nonprofit Transportation Research Board developed a system that uses AI to detect people on the tracks.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
transportation
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC, NJ airports grounded as part of nationwide shutdown, FAA says
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue.
By
Charles Lane
Published Nov 13, 2026 at 4:39 p.m. ET
Mamdani declines to back fellow New Yorker Schumer as Senate majority leader
Sen. Chuck Schumer also declined to endorse Mamdani for mayor after he won last year's Democratic primary.
By
Brigid Bergin
News
Mamdani declines to back fellow New Yorker Schumer as Senate majority leader
Sen. Chuck Schumer also declined to endorse Mamdani for mayor after he won last year's Democratic primary.
By
Brigid Bergin
Mayor Mamdani appoints ex-DSA chair as new NYC nightlife director
By
Elizabeth Kim
First Code Blue of the winter season arrives in New York City
By
Charles Lane
Former NYC jails chief testifies about Adams adviser's push to hire friend’s daughter
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .