Robots Now Driving Some New York City Trains

Mass transit developments abound this week -- this time, it's the most futuristic-sounding item yet. New York subway trains along one line will be driven by computers:

In a $300 million emotional purchase for the subway, the MTA's CBTC (communication-based train control) system will drive the L train starting today.

This means that you'll have a robot conductor in charge of the movement instead of a disgruntled human. When it screws up they can blame technology and not the human beings in control our idiotic train system.

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Comments

[ChiProgressive]

But what happens when the robots realize that humans are destroying the earth?

And the best solution is extermination?

[rjmiller]

Assuming a sound control strategy, this should be a great idea. Hopefully whoever is designing this system has looked at the work done in Japan, particularly the use of fuzzy logic control instead of conventional PID control, which is far more prevalent in the US. Fuzzy (or possibly neuro-fuzzy) control has the potential to be significantly more accurate and efficient than conventional methods, although it typically takes more time and effort to develop.

[dv416]

sure, it can drive a train, but does the robot know how to love?

[likealion]

hahaha

[Celldumceen]

We will all be replaced by machines eventually!

[ThomasQ]

One of the reasons for automated trains is that they can run a tighter schedule. Human drivers introduce a human element into the operation, e.g. by leaving the doors open a second longer as they see someone running for the train. Little differences like that make it very difficult to run trains at very short intervals. Automated operation is supposed to eliminate that as much as possible, making it possible to run more trains during rush hour etc.

[Prole-NY]

In this case the doors are still closed by the operator even when the train is in auto mode. The CBTC allows the use of 'moving block' signaling instead of fixed block. This usually allows the trains to run closer together in time.

[EHarold]

I hope to god it's not running on VISTA.

[WasteNJ]

Hmmm, compared to the Port Authority PATH trains, I always felt that the MTA train drivers were extremely good at what they do. Never mind the announcements, etc, they get you to the stop on time by hauling ass and stopping fast. What else is there?

Why is the MTA spending 300 mil on this and then crying poverty and threatening to raise fares? Isn't a conductor cheaper than a computerized control system? And for that matter, if the automated trains were all they were cracked up to be, the guidance system would be used for freight where the risk of disaster is way higher. It's not the train or the guidance system, it's the signal system that can be faulty and a person can make a decision based on experience and their gut.

[BannedInBoston]

Next up: Roboplane!

"Good morning, passengers! This plane is being piloted by the new, completely automated Sky Captain Computer System. So relax and enjoy your flight, secure in the knowledge that nothing can go wrong can go wrong can go wrong...."

[paulalex]

Less chance of a robot being drunk at the switch!

[Prole-NY]

Many automatica­lly-contro­lled rail transit systems still have drivers (or operators, conductors or 'train captains') for safety reasons. The automatic system may not control all train operations. The L Train will not be totally automatic.

Here is a more factual explanation of the system:

http://transittrax.mta.info/audio/ttx_transcpts/CBTContheLLine.htm

[JScott]

I guess the tech has advanced a lot, they were supposed to be trains like this on the BART system but there were too many problems, so they went back to a manned system, but I dunno what they have now.

[Tom95134]

The main problem with BART is that it was initially blocked by computer problems and the only way union rules would allow drivers was if the requirement for human operators was made permanent. Now it's really hard to change those rules.

[netzwerg]

Thats awesome! Now the city does not need to pay lazy americans for doing that job!

[dadw5boys]

Do Robots pay taxes, buy homes, pay to ride a train, repair your home, or protect you.

At times of high unemployment NEW YORK CITY always finds a way to be stupid !!!!

[Prole-NY]

In what way is using CBTC stupid? The trains still have drivers, it is simply that the driver can allow the speed between stations to be controlled by an automatic system (the MTA's explanation) :

"There are two modes of operations, there is a manual operation, called Automatic Train Protection Mode or ATPM for short, which allows the train operator to manually operate trains between stations, the computer however will have an oversight role in terms of ensuring that the speed of the train does not exceed the safe speed. This mode of operation is totally under the train operator's control with the exception of the system protects for over-speed. The second mode of operations is called Automatic Train Operations or ATO, an abbreviation, and under this mode of operations the train operator is still required to close the doors at a station, and then the computer will conduct the train leaving the station until it makes a station stop at the following station."