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Computer Failure Causes Gridlock In MD County
Uncle Rummy writes "A central traffic control computer in Montgomery County, Maryland failed early Wednesday morning, leading to widespread gridlock across the entire county. The computer, which dates to the 1970s, is the single point of unified control for all traffic signals in the county, which comprises a number of major Washington DC-area suburban communities. When the system failed, it caused all signals to default to stand-alone operation, rather than the highly-tuned synchronization that usually serves to facilitate traffic flow during rush hours. The resulting chaos is a yet another stark reminder of how much modern civilization relies on behind-the-scenes automation to deliver and control basic services and infrastructure. The system remains down Thursday, with no ETA in sight."
I smell foul play...
Quick, someone get Bruce Willis!
That wouldn't make it any better.
I haven't read the article, but if the summary correctly reflects the situation, the traffic lights are all working - they're just working independently, so rather than being in sync so the main flow of traffic never has to stop (or stops less) they're all just doing their own thing.
The preferred solution is to not have a problem.
So the default behavior is basically traffic lights in Los Angeles on a normal day? I feel soooo sorry for them. ;)
it's "password"!
This is government, you know.
It's NOT me! It's the meds! I'm on 1000mg of Fukitol.
I was going to say we should blame this on Windows Vista, until I saw the part about the computer system dating back to the 1970s, so that wouldn't work. Still, there's got to be some way we can put the fault on Micro$oft? Maybe the computer was in need of some necessary maintenance, and the technician whose responsibility that was was too tied up in a game of Minesweeper or Solitaire, or something?
The blue is from appraching the light too fast. You're aproximately going 20% the speed of light. SLOW DOWN.
Slashdot's rate-of-post filter: Preventing you from posting too many great ideas at once.
The resulting chaos is a yet another stark reminder of how much modern civilization relies on behind-the-scenes automation to deliver and control basic services and infrastructure.
Just Skynet trying to figure out how to bunch up targets when it seizes control of our Predator and Reaper UAV's.
That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
After hurricane Ike blew through Houston, I ended up parking at a light that was stuck, showing green for traffic in one direction only for at least 15 minutes.
Every time someone was brave enough to try to run the red light, someone else would drive through the green light and spook everyone. Eventually I turned right, U-turned, and turned right again.
If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
Is the popular definition of a "mainframe" now anything designed or manufactured before MS Windows was released?
if the summary correctly reflects the situation
Please mod parent funny.
That's why in my town we have Braille traffic lights.
A meter maid has no more information about traffic flow at adjacent intersections than an autonomous single light would.
Then how about a Beowulf cluster of meter maids? (with walkie talkies of course)
call me FOSS im the boss with the sauce and the source
Hey, that's like traffic signals where I've live -- they're specifically timed to ensure that you consume as much gas as possible, while sitting in traffic for the maximum amount of time every day!
When I lived in Kentucky, we had an ice storm that knocked out power in Lexington for the better part of a week. The loss of traffic lights meant every intersection was supposed to turn into a 4-way stop. Which meant that every car came to a halt (in theory) at every intersection for a second or two. My 8-mile 15-minute drive to work turned into 3 hours one morning. I finally found a parking lot, parked my car there, and walked the remaining 3 miles. It was faster. Seriously - I recognized a guy 2 cars ahead of me and he arrived at work 1/2 hour after I did.
The reality was that people were assuming that dark lights meant that either (a) it was a 4-way stop, (b) people on the "larger/main" road had right-of-way, (c) I have no idea so I'm going to creep through, or (d) screw it, y'all, I've got the big fukkin truck - get outta my way.
On the third day, they deployed every police officer, meter reader, and anyone else with a pulse who was trainable to direct traffic. Of course, this meant that every bad driver in Lexington knew that all bets were off in terms of speed limits, right-of-way, and other moving violations during those times. Ever read "Lord of the Flies"? Yeah, it was like that. With cars.
"This post contains words, known to the State of California to cause thought. Wash brain thoroughly after reading."
Let's just see you try that line on the police.
"I would have slowed down, officer, but it would have either taken too long or crushed me, so I didn't bother."