The interactive map on Subwaysheds.com visualizes how far you can travel on the New York City subway system within a 40-minute timeframe from any given station. By selecting a station, the map reveals a shaded area encompassing all reachable destinations within that time limit. This allows users to quickly grasp the relative accessibility of different parts of the city from various starting points, highlighting the subway's reach and potential travel limitations. The map demonstrates how travel times vary greatly depending on the station's location and the interconnectedness of the lines, with some stations offering access to a much wider area than others within the same 40-minute window.
This blog post, titled "How Far Can You Get in 40 Minutes From Each Subway Station in NYC?", visually explores the reachable area from every subway station within New York City's extensive subway system, given a travel time of precisely forty minutes. The project utilizes a fascinating methodology involving the creation of isochrones, which are lines on a map connecting points that are equidistant in terms of travel time from a specific origin point. In this case, each New York City subway station serves as the origin, and the isochrone represents the farthest reaches achievable within a forty-minute journey, factoring in walking time to and from stations, waiting time for trains, and the actual time spent on the train itself.
The resulting visualization, presented as an interactive map, depicts these 40-minute isochrones for all stations across the five boroughs. Users can explore the map, clicking on individual stations to highlight their specific reachable area. The shapes of these isochrones are remarkably diverse, influenced by various factors including the station's location within the network, the frequency of service on the lines serving the station, transfer opportunities, and the overall speed and efficiency of different subway lines. Stations situated in central Manhattan, with access to numerous lines and frequent service, exhibit larger, more expansive isochrones, reflecting the greater accessibility to a wider range of destinations within the allotted timeframe. Conversely, stations located in outer boroughs, or those served by less frequent lines, often display smaller, more constrained isochrones, indicating a more limited reach within the same 40-minute period.
The project offers a compelling visual representation of the subway system's complex interconnectedness and its impact on accessibility across the city. By standardizing the travel time to 40 minutes, the visualization effectively highlights the disparities in reachable areas depending on a station's position and connectivity within the network. This not only provides a practical tool for visualizing travel times but also offers a unique perspective on the urban geography of New York City and the influence of its public transportation infrastructure. The interactive nature of the map further enhances its usability, allowing users to explore the city and gain a deeper understanding of the subway's reach from various points within its vast network. Furthermore, the project subtly illuminates the relationship between transit accessibility and real estate values, as areas within easy reach of multiple lines and offering wider travel possibilities are often associated with higher property values.
Summary of Comments ( 68 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42810293
Commenters on Hacker News largely praised the visualization and the technical execution of the "Subway Sheds" project, finding it both interesting and well-designed. Several appreciated the choice of 40 minutes as a relatable timeframe for commute planning. Some discussed the limitations of the visualization, noting it doesn't account for transfer time or walking to/from stations, and pointed out discrepancies with their own commute experiences. A few commenters offered suggestions for improvements, such as incorporating real-time data, displaying route options, and allowing users to input their own starting points and timeframes. Others shared anecdotal experiences of their commutes in different cities, comparing and contrasting them with the NYC subway system's reach as depicted in the visualization. A technical discussion also emerged regarding the algorithms and data used to generate the sheds, including the choice of using walking distances instead of incorporating bus routes.
The Hacker News post "How far can you get in 40 minutes from each subway station in NYC?" generated several comments discussing the linked visualization tool.
Several commenters praised the visualization itself, calling it "beautiful," "mesmerizing," and "well done." They appreciated the interactive nature of the map and the ability to explore different stations and travel times. The smooth transitions and clear presentation of the data were also highlighted as positive aspects.
A significant discussion thread emerged around the methodology used to calculate travel times. Some users questioned whether the tool accounted for factors like transfer times, wait times between trains, and walking time to and from stations. The creator of the visualization clarified that the calculations are based on scheduled train times and don't incorporate these real-world variables. This led to further discussion about the limitations of using scheduled times versus actual travel times, with some users suggesting that incorporating real-time data would make the tool even more useful.
Commenters also discussed the implications of the visualization for understanding urban mobility and accessibility. Some pointed out how the map highlights the disparities in accessibility between different parts of the city, with some areas having much larger reachable areas within the 40-minute timeframe. This sparked conversations about urban planning, transit equity, and the impact of public transportation on access to jobs, amenities, and opportunities.
Several users shared personal anecdotes about their commutes and how the visualization aligned with their own experiences. Some expressed surprise at how far (or not far) they could travel from their usual stations, while others noted that the map accurately reflected their daily commutes.
Beyond the core discussion about the visualization and its methodology, commenters also touched on related topics such as:
Overall, the comments reflect a positive reception to the visualization tool, coupled with thoughtful discussion about its methodology, limitations, and potential implications for urban planning and transportation.