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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?"
Without a conductor, who's going to yell at everyone to stop holding the doors? How does this work in other automated systems, like Paris's Météor?
Trust me, you don't hold the doors -- you can't, they're too strong. Or maybe you can, but I've yet to see someone try (even though that's a local sport on other, non-automated lines -- it's not like nobody ever holds doors in Paris).
They make some kind of "sound of inevitability", loud and somewhat fast. Then, there's the fact that there are two set of doors per opening (one for the platform, one for the train itself), twice as much to hold when compared to the older lines.
Finally, there's decent traffic on the line, you don't have to wait much if you miss a train (except after 10pm, when you need to wait five minutes or so).
So, as much as it occured even to me to hold the doors for a nearby friend on other lines (nearby meaning really nearby, not at the top of the stairs far over there), it never occured on line 14 (the automated line).
Non-New Yorkers may be excused for not getting our backward terminology for train staff.
The 'Conductor,' who in the rest of the worl drives the trains, sits in the center of NYC subway trains and opens and closes the doors, and announces stops (until the recorded voices in recent trains, that is).
The guy driving the train up front, and looking for kids and other garbage on the tracks, is called the 'motorman.' You see, he's the guy that turns the motor on and off. Or something.
Anyhow, they're planning to eliminate the conductor, but keep the motorman- so there will still be someone up front watching for imminent collisions. When they're not asleep, that is.
Marc Siry || interactive media professional, motorcycle enthusiast ||
Here in Vancouver, we occasionally have an issue on our automated rapid transit trains with people holding the doors. Luckily, in the absense of a conductor to yell at the fool holding everybody up, the other train passengers take on this role. The doors will try to close, and if obstructed, will re-open for about 2 seconds. If you're still in the way a second time, people start to voice their annoyance that you're making them late for work.
- Allen Pike
Altering time, one time at a time.
Nuremberg will introduce a completely driverless subway next year. Good article with lots of pictures. See (partially English) PDF
I for one welcome New York to 20'th century technology while we live in the 21'st century.
Actually, in the rest of the (non-US) world, it's the Engineer who designs the train. The driver drives the train.
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