Re:G.M. Invests $500M in Lyft
by spydum on Monday January 04, 2016 @01:55PM
(#10837606)
Given that trains require far less cognitive load to operate than a tractor trailer (sorry engineers!), and yet still require humans to operate.. I wonder if ever?
I'm actually curious why trains haven't been automated at this point (in the US at least). It seems like an ideal first step (no navigational issues, retrofit some collision avoidance mechanisms, remote control, etc, and you are up and running).
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My guess: train operators are probably a much lower percentage of the total cost of running a train than drivers are for trucks or cabs, removing the incentive for automation.
Re:G.M. Invests $500M in Lyft
by toomuchtodo on Monday January 04, 2016 @05:06PM
(#10839069)
They are. It simply doesn't make sense to automate them away considering the amount of liability contained within a freight train traveling at high speeds down a rail corridor.
I guess the train driver is an small percentage oft the cost of running a train compared to the cost of a truck driver.
Re:G.M. Invests $500M in Lyft
by justincormack on Monday January 04, 2016 @03:24PM
(#10838281)
Automated trains have existed for many years, outside the US. They are still not common though, other than in airports.
I think this disaster has something to do with the hold-up on train regulations: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lac-M%C3%A9gantic_rail_disas...