Assorted Platform Features

Platform Tread
This plastic tread exists mostly in underground stations equipped with granite tile floors as part of modernization work. Possibly because the tiles were found to be unusually slippery when wet, this raised-pattern strip replaces the usual paint strip with coarse sandpaper texture found on plain concrete floors. This pattern, which is known to have been installed on a few elevated platforms also enables sight-impaired passengers to feel the platform edge before getting too close

Wooden bench
These wooden benches were installed a few years ago to replace ancient metal/wood ones. They feature a thick coating of varnish to provide a buffer aginst vandalism, and raised dividers between seating positions to discourage vagrants from sleeping on them. There are usually two of these per platform, although outbound platforms in outlying areas (meaning, those that won't have large crowds waiting during either rush hour) can be (and have been) equipped with only one.

Sand Box
These wooden (sometimes metal) hinged-top boxes store sand for, well, whatever sand might be used for. Found mostly on elevated platforms, this example at 14th Street/7th Avenue proves their existence underground too. As to what sand might be used for underground other than putting out small fires, your guess is as good as mine as to what it's used for. Generally, they're placed in an out-of-the-way area in the general scheme of things, usually the end of the platform..

More platform features
Light Fixtures---Index---Electric and Digital signs

	Platform Tread This plastic tread exists mostly in underground stations equipped with granite tile floors as part of modernization work. Possibly because the tiles were found to be unusually slippery when wet, this raised-pattern strip replaces the usual paint strip with coarse sandpaper texture found on plain concrete floors. This pattern, which is known to have been installed on a few elevated platforms also enables sight-impaired passengers to feel the platform edge before getting too close
	Wooden bench These wooden benches were installed a few years ago to replace ancient metal/wood ones. They feature a thick coating of varnish to provide a buffer aginst vandalism, and raised dividers between seating positions to discourage vagrants from sleeping on them. There are usually two of these per platform, although outbound platforms in outlying areas (meaning, those that won't have large crowds waiting during either rush hour) can be (and have been) equipped with only one.
	Sand Box These wooden (sometimes metal) hinged-top boxes store sand for, well, whatever sand might be used for. Found mostly on elevated platforms, this example at 14th Street/7th Avenue proves their existence underground too. As to what sand might be used for underground other than putting out small fires, your guess is as good as mine as to what it's used for. Generally, they're placed in an out-of-the-way area in the general scheme of things, usually the end of the platform..