This type of infrastructure works perfectly in Europe, Asia, but most definitely won't in New York City in its current condition. Travel to cities like Brussels, Belgium (only place I've and seen the open-gangway, and maybe Beijing too but can't recall) and ride their metro - it's a comfortable and low stress experience.

There's been no noticeable improvement in the control of unhoused & EDP riding the subway over the last 6 months, having cops at every station hasn't (and won't in the future) improve safety.

The BART in San Francisco, a place which many label as having worse problems, has 'sleek high-tech' cars, with no open gangway.

There will be blood spilt on these new subway cars, hopefully not too much, particularly as the pilot is targeted over the spring & summer. Until something is implemented on a large scale to control and treat the drug-addled and mentally disturbed populace here, and incarcerate the career criminals -- we can't have nice things.