Boston, May 29, 2024 — In late 2023, the MBTA announced its ambitious plan to eliminate all speed restrictions by the end of 2024.
Since the announcement, the TransitMatters Labs team has conducted ad hoc analysis on a per-shutdown basis, analyzing data and determining what benefits, or lack thereof, riders experience post-shutdown.
Tracking MBTA Shutdowns
Given the overwhelming number of shutdowns scheduled for this year, conducting case-by-case analyses for each one started to feel unsustainable. That's when we devised a solution—the Shutdown Tracker! We designed this app to provide riders with all the information they need right at their fingertips, making tracking shutdowns much more convenient.
The Shutdown Tracker displays a comprehensive snapshot of scheduled and already completed shutdowns. Users can click every shutdown listed in the app to unveil specific details, giving them in-depth access to fine details for every instance. The underlying analysis hinges on data from a radius of seven days, centered on the shutdown date. Shutdowns cause improvements and challenges, influencing several metrics. With our tracker, riders can examine the impact on travel times, dwells, and headways.
Despite the unproductive shutdowns of the past—we’re looking at you 2022 Orange Line shutdown—this app is here to reassure riders that shutdowns can lead to improved rides, as many have so far this year.
If you’re curious about when the upcoming shutdowns are or are having trouble keeping track of changes, we’ve thought of you! The Shutdown Tracker charts all shutdowns onto an exportable schedule and lets you add it to your calendar app for reference. It will automatically update when things change.
We hope this tool will help riders and increase transparency regarding the successes and failures of MBTA shutdowns this year. Transparency is paramount, and we hope the Shutdown Tracker further educates riders on the system and assists them in advocating for change.
If you notice any issues or want to send any other feedback, let us know at labs@transitmatters.org. If you want to support our efforts to build useful tools and tell stories with data, please consider becoming a member.