Linto63 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:12 pm
matthewg wrote: ↑And don't think it won't happen - unattended automatic train operation is a mature technology.
On stand alone lines like the metro yes, but not on classic lines with multiple disciplines of trains, freight etc. It's a bit like driverless cars, sounds great but the practicality of implementing means it's unlikely to ever happen.
The technology is more than good enough now.
I work with people developing hardware and software for these things, the only thing stopping driverless cars is social acceptance, not technology, the tech is already better than the majority of human drivers.
As a society, we accept that people kill other people on the roads by the 100s, but if even one autonomous car does, that's unacceptable. At some point, probably driven by insurance, this equation will change.
Do not think a sufficiently motivated government/transport management couldn't implement unattended ATO on the 'conventional' network. The technology exists and is mature. Implementation would be difficult and that holds it back, but if the 'current arrangements' get too difficult, that implementation pain starts to look like the better option going forward.
The current Sydney Trains 'Digital train control project' will be laying most of the groundwork for automatic operation. Once signal indications are relayed to the cab instead of lineside signals, the messy bit has been done.
There are heavy haul trains running in this country right now with nobody on board at all. They run from port to mine and back again by themselves. DB has even experimented with automated 'trip trains' with a self-driving locomotive taking wagons from yards to industrial sidings.