Do subway trains travel faster when there are fewer passengers on board.

Question

Do subway trains travel faster when there are fewer passengers on board.

Answer 1

They will travel with the same speed, safe speed for the track.

But a journey with a subway train more than a few stops long might be quicker.

When many people have to get out of the train and others in, it takes a while for all of them to do so. The train will have to have a stop of at least a full minute, often a little longer.

When nearly nobody travels the stops will be more efficient and the train is ready to leave earlier.

Whether it does depends on whether there is a time table or the companies policies about it.

Answer 2

Yes, because you have less dwell time in the stations while people get on and off.

For instance on BART, the limiting factor for the San Francisco-Oakland tunnel is boarding times at Embarcadero station. The tunnel is clear ahead, but the train is sitting in the station waiting for commuters to crowd on.  

Answer 3

No they don't. They travel at the same speed if they are full or empty.

Answer 4

No.

In NYC Subways, Staten Island Railway goes on their own restricted speed.

No matter how less crowded or much crowded, subways still travel on same speed.

If it was less crowded, subways will be able to close easily and leave.

Answer 5

Are you asking about the effect of the weight of the passengers upon the train?  If so, the effect will be minor.  With an empty train versus a full train, the train will accelerate a bit faster, but that's about it.

Answer 6

No, it would travel at the same speed pretty much, it would just draw more power for the overhead lines (or third-rail) to achieve the thottle position set by the engineer.