DC METRO PILES IT UP...

[cracklow]

The news from up here (I live in Alexandria VA at the moment) is that there was a bad sensor on the line (the metro is all automated at rush hour) and that the operator pulled the emergency brake but it apparently was too late or did not deploy with enough force.  obviously this is all preliminary sort of information, but it definitely wasn't the operator texting.  all they do at 5pm is make sure the doors open and close..

[cracklow]

here's an updated news story-
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=1702179

[Coolyfett]

I really hope this is not another instance of operator texting while driving.  These seem to be occuring with alarming frequency in all modes of transportation.

Yea it is, maybe humans shouldn't run them any more.

Ock what prevents these trains from being automated instead of operated?

[Ocklawaha]

I really hope this is not another instance of operator texting while driving.  These seem to be occuring with alarming frequency in all modes of transportation.

Yea it is, maybe humans shouldn't run them any more.

Ock what prevents these trains from being automated instead of operated?

Good morning friend, actually the DC metro IS running on automation. I'm not sure the degree of it, but it appears it goes into full automation during the rush hours. Remember my post that this would be "Signaling Failure?" As it turns out I'm 2 for 2 on this, as it appears a trackside signal sensor failed to detect the traffic and adjust the trains accordingly... Sad. The operator actually tried to save the lives of her trains passengers and not unlike the famous Casey Jones, she rode the cab right into the stalled train while trying to apply a manual emergency brake override. Her bravery hasn't been mentioned, but she could easily have turned and ran back through the train. Perhaps the question should be can we please go back to HUMAN operation with signal help?

In such a case as human operation, she might have had a hunch that this is always a tight spot, something beyond the power of computers..."speculation." Thus she may have slowed down, entered the curve half expecting the situation ahead.

FYI - The Skyway is also fully automated, but in reality has operators at the Skyway center in Brooklyn. Those little lock boxes on the front dash of each Skyway car contain manual controls should we ever want to use it, or need it.

OCKLAWAHA