Subway touch screens to invade New York City (pictures)

Navigating the New York City subway system may never be the same. Up to 90 massive touch screens will be set up this year by the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority at the top subway stations. Created by technology and design firm Control Group, the interactive kiosks will replace the old-style maps currently in use.

Up to 90 of the 47-inch devices will adorn busy stations with interactive routing information, service alerts...and advertising.

Subway advertising is big business for the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority, but it's about to get a digital upgrade with a series of touch-screen kiosks.

Routing through the New York City subway system is something that can be achieved with just one fingertip on new HD touch screen navigational kiosks. Riders will just have to touch their destination to see what trains and transfers they need to get there. The touch screens will also display service alerts and show how long the wait time is for the next train.

New York City subway riders will have lots of info at their fingertips when new navigation touch screens are unleashed on the subway system this year. Besides routing information, riders can see how long the journey is expected to take, receive real-time service alerts, and eventually take advantage of third-party apps that work with the kiosks.

Earlier this year, Control Group submitted a design concept for a high-tech reworking of New York City's payphones. The idea was to combine interactive touch screens on the inside with advertising and community notifications on the exterior. Much like the idea for the subway touch screens, the booths would interact with apps on user's smartphones to assist with navigation and discovery of local businesses.