New York Computerizes its Subway System

Iphtashu Fitz writes "New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority launched it's first fully computer controlled subway line this month. The `L' Line of the MTA that connects the southern part of Manhattan with Brooklyn was picked for this pilot program because of its relatively short length and the fact that it doesn't share tracks with any other lines. Trains on this line no longer have conductors on board, and only a single driver in the front to monitor all the systems. What's the big deal, you may ask? After all, cities like San Francisco and Paris already have computerized subway lines. Well, having recently celebrated its 100th anniversary the MTA is one of the oldest subway systems in the United States, and one of the largest in the world. If all goes well, the MTA will continue to expand automated service to the rest of the subway system over the next 20 years. But just how safe and secure will these new automated lines be? The radio links that provide data communication between the trains and the control center are encrypted, but how long until a hacker manages to crack it?"

Comments

Hmm

[pHatidic]

The radio links that provide data communication between the trains and the control center are encrypted, but how long until a hacker manages to crack it?

Only if DVD-Jon has an MTA-Bob counterpart

Oh no

[ravenspear]

The `L' Line of the MTA

Man, that just brought back horrific memories of sendmail M4 syntax.

Re:Cracker schmackers

[ackthpt]

actually, the bombs were dropped during the II World War, that is 1945. it will mark the 60th anniversarie.

D'oh! Brain fart! Good thing I'm not a coder on the NYC Subway!

now to get back to my robotics for performing open heart surgery..

Re:Drivers and other crack-heads

[Jeffrey Baker]

This happened with a train I was riding on the SF Muni. The train is supposed to leave after the computerized control system clears the train out of the station, and after the driver hits the door close button, and after the doors actually close. Well, this train was malfunctioning (thanks, Breda!) and the door wouldn't close. But the train had been cleared and the driver had hit the door close switch. So the driver gets out of the cab, walks out the door onto the platform, and dislodges the door, which closes. The train takes off and he's still on the platform. Comedy, I tell you.