Using GPS To Prevent Train Crashes In India

dave420 writes "The BBC has an article outlining plans in India to use GPS technology to alert train drivers of obstructions on the tracks, automatically stopping the train if the driver fails to take action. This sounds like a good use of cheaply-available technology to provide a safer train network."

Comments

Cow GPS?

[Anonymous Coward]

I could see where this could come in handy! The last thing ANY Indian would want to happen is to hit a cow wandering over the train tracks.

The day is coming...

[krymsin01]

when the human is their to make sure the computer is being alert.

I just LOVE this reporting:

[TexVex]

When there is an accident, that often translates into large numbers of casualties.

And in other news, failure to regularly exchange carbon dioxide with oxygen frequently results in death to animals and people!

War Railing?

[metrazol]

So the trains have a GPS doohicky in 'em, alright. And ya say that there doohicky can stop the train if the driver doesn't? Okeydokey.

And so you're sayin' I could sit next to the tracks and stop trains with the WiFi card in my Zaurus? Neat-o.

Saves having to follow the schedule!

Ever seen a trainwreck before?

[imag0]

Talking about trains always reminds me of my uncle Earl. Back in the day Earl took his test to become a train conductor since he loved trains so much.

It got to the oral part of the test and the proctor asked Earl "You have a northbound train running at 38 MPH and a southbound train on the same track running at 42 MPH. The trains are 6 miles from each other. Who do you call first to report this to?

Earl perked right up "I'll call my nephew imag0, of course!"

The proctor was puzzled and asked "Why would would call your nephew?"

"'Cause he's never seen a trainwreck before!"

Re:well that is good

[kamapuaa]

The above post raises a good point. The problem I've experiences with Indian trains is the tendency of Indians to sing, dance, flirt, and generally arrange large musical dance numbers, all carried out on the rooftops of moving trains. The stations aren't much better, teary-eyed men are constantly watching their true loves head back to the village to get an arranged marriage to some brute.