> Political: union strikes (meaning if you want to automate a line you may have to accept it being closed for the duration) and public outcry over a reduction in jobs.
For local public transit subway (ny mta, path ny nj), I think the cost is worth it if it means fewer delays.
Talk to your local politicians and demand it. This means changes in state laws as well to be less union friendly in cases where automation is replacing their jobs (I'm not saying that all union friendly laws need to go, but some specific ones)
Political: union strikes (meaning if you want to automate a line you may have to accept it being closed for the duration) and public outcry over a reduction in jobs.
Cost: You often only get the benefit of the simpler domain if you can implement the whole system from scratch, if you have to deal with the existing signalling, engines, (and human-driven trains) that's a complex problem, with massive capital outlay.