Last week we announced the MetroGreater finalists. Between now and August 26th, when voting closes, we want to tell you more about each finalist idea. Today’s featured finalists: Install split stanchions in (some) rail cars and create a reverse commuter parking pass.

Photos by Shanan and thisisbossi on Flickr, respectively.

Install split stanchions in some rail cars

This finalist idea proposes to increase the amount of surface area on the vertical poles, or “stanchions,” in Metrorail cars, allowing more people to hold on to the pole at the same time.

Photo by Shanan on Flickr.

Here’s the original submission:

Seen in many new subway train models, these poles are split into multiple handles so that more people can hold onto them at the same time, and also prevents one rude leaning passenger from obstructing the entire pole.

I believe that split stanchions would be a significant benefit for riders, especially in crowded conditions. Most older railcars have clusters of three vertical stanchions at the ends, which makes navigating through them a bit tricky and often discourages riders from evenly distributing through the car. Replacing these with one or two split stanchions would free up walking space without losing surface area for riders to hold.

Split stanchions also solves the issue of one rude rider leaning against a pole, preventing anyone else from holding on.

These poles are an increasingly common sight on new and future railcars, including Montreal and San Francisco.

Peter D. knew that the MetroGreater contest was looking for “relatively simple ideas that would have a noticeable impact for riders” and thought the idea of switching out some of the vertical handrails fit the bill. Noting that “most older railcars have clusters of three vertical stanchions at the ends, which makes navigating through them a bit tricky and often discourages riders from evenly distributing through the car,” Peter thinks replacing a few of these with split stanchions “would free up walking space without losing surface area for riders to hold.”

Volunteer contributor Steven Offutt wrote a post about split stanchions after noticing them in a Barcelona subway car back in 2010. He noted then that “while the top and the bottom of the stanchion are a single pole just like in DC, the center section splits into three, allowing more people to comfortably hold on in the same amount of space. This appears to be a solution that could be retrofit into existing cars by cutting out the center of an existing stanchion and welding on these midsection portions.”

When the jury nominated this ideas a finalist, they recognized that to implement this idea in under six months and $100,000, Metro would have to start by doing this as a pilot in a few trains only.

What do you think? Should Metro test these out? Vote at MetroGreater.org or share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Reverse commuter parking pass

Another finalist idea offers a solution to “reverse commuters,” people who live in the District, but work in suburban areas of the region. Many of them could use Metrorail to get most of the way to work, but need a car to get from the station to their jobs. A reverse commuter parking pass would allow these folks to leave their cars overnight at a Metro stop near their work during the week and even through the weekend.

Photo by thisisbossi on Flickr.

The original submission provides an example:

I think there are a number of individuals who would actually use metro to reverse commute but have the issue of “the last mile”. If Metro allowed this individuals to purchase a parking pass that would be valid for overnight parking they could then use the Metro rather than driving the entire way.

For instance, if I lived in DC but worked in Gaithersburg or Germantown, I could take the Metro to the Gaithersburg station pick up my car and then go to work. Because of the time these spaces would still be available for regular commuters. They could use the same permit process.”

Dennis E. found Metro’s guidance on overnight parking confusing for people who may want to use station lots for reverse commuting. So he thought, “why not clear up the issue while creating a marketing-campaign which could promote the idea of reverse commuting and making it work for those individuals who don’t work near a Metro Station or bus route?”

Dennis acknowledges that some of the other finalist ideas would impact a greater number of people, but he envisions several benefits of a reverse commuter program:

  • Raise awareness of reverse commuting using Metro and increase the number of riders who reverse commute by Metro.
  • Free up on-street parking spaces in DC and eliminates the headache of trying to find a spot for reverse commuters.
  • By parking overnight, reverse commuters reduce traffic congestion and reduce wear and tear on their vehicles.

What do you think of a reverse commuter parking pass? Even if you wouldn’t use it, is it a worthwhile program to invest in? Tell us with your vote at MetroGreater.org!

And, ICYMI, check out the other finalist ideas we’ve profiled here and here.