How Leaves Could Affect Travel Time For Those Who Rely On Transit Systems
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Transit systems in the region are ready to deal with falling leaves, which cause some problems for trains and the people who ride them.
The changing of the seasons makes for pretty scenery, but once the leave hit the ground, they can be a pain to deal with for homeowners as well as transit agencies like PATCO and SEPTA.
Heather Redfern with SEPTA says when trains run over leaves, they create an oily, slippery finish on the rails and wheels, causing trains to lose friction.
"There's a possibility that a train or a trolley could slip, especially on an incline or decline or when coming into a station, so at times we have to put speed restrictions, and of course anytime you slow down a vehicle it adds a little more to your travel time."
She says they use a water, sand and gel solution to clean off the tracks and SEPTA doesn't plan on revising schedules for fall, but there will be an occasional delay.
PATCO will be operating on a leaf-season schedule starting tomorrow.