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Message
Do trains not have an automatic braking system?
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:09 pm
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:09 pm
When cars these days have collision warning systems, lane departure system, valet parking system, adaptive cruise control etc., how can a train running on fixed rails not have an automatic braking system when it senses that it is traveling at dangerous speeds?
The Amtrak train was apparently going at 100 mph round the bend. The speed limit in the area was 70 mph and 50 mph around the bend. One would expect trains in 2015 to be smart enough to override any stupid decisions made by the engineer when it compromises people's safety. Thoughts?
The Amtrak train was apparently going at 100 mph round the bend. The speed limit in the area was 70 mph and 50 mph around the bend. One would expect trains in 2015 to be smart enough to override any stupid decisions made by the engineer when it compromises people's safety. Thoughts?
7
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:13 pm to Street Hawk
Not sure about passenger rail but cargo trains have air brakes. The only "automatic" system I'm aware of is that the brakes automatically apply if air pressure is lost throughout the brake system.
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:16 pm to Street Hawk
Thought the same thing.
It seems that the NTSB should implement manadatory GPS systems in trains (hell, they probably already have them/should have them) and just have controls that do the conducting for them.
I don't know why in 2015 these trains have the option for human error. The network of tracks is pretty much set and eventual changes/additions can be easily catalogued in a nationwide database. Should be relatively capital inexpensive to automate these things compared to other modes of public transportation.
It seems that the NTSB should implement manadatory GPS systems in trains (hell, they probably already have them/should have them) and just have controls that do the conducting for them.
I don't know why in 2015 these trains have the option for human error. The network of tracks is pretty much set and eventual changes/additions can be easily catalogued in a nationwide database. Should be relatively capital inexpensive to automate these things compared to other modes of public transportation.
This post was edited on 5/13/15 at 2:17 pm
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:18 pm to Street Hawk
Are you stupid?
Eh nevermind. .
Eh nevermind. .
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:19 pm to Street Hawk
quote:
Message
by Street Hawk
When cars these days have collision warning systems, lane departure system, valet parking system, adaptive cruise control etc., how can a train running on fixed rails not have an automatic braking system when it senses that it is traveling at dangerous speeds?
Are you asking if they have a device that could limit them from going too fast? That's called a governor. Not sure if this train had one but they've been around for a long time and are not that complicated.
As for stopping or slowing down a train via the breaks. That's not something you can do on a dime. Breaking a train is a matter of miles when it's going at speeds like the train in Philly was doing.
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:19 pm to Swoopin
I'm just surmising, but the use of trains in the US is so limited relatively to cars that the adaptation of technology would be expensive and not cost feasible.
If you value a life at X number of dollars, you would have to justify the expense of all these new systems and spread them out to the limited number of trains in use.
Callous way of thinking, but rational.
If you value a life at X number of dollars, you would have to justify the expense of all these new systems and spread them out to the limited number of trains in use.
Callous way of thinking, but rational.
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:21 pm to Street Hawk
quote:
Do trains not have an automatic braking system?
that's coming right after seat belts
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:24 pm to Street Hawk
quote:Then when the train's computer goes fricking nuts everyone will be up in arms screaming "How come we don't have a way to override the computer??!"
One would expect trains in 2015 to be smart enough to override any stupid decisions made by the engineer
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:25 pm to Swoopin
quote:
It seems that the NTSB should implement manadatory GPS systems in trains (hell, they probably already have them/should have them) and just have controls that do the conducting for them.
I don't know why in 2015 these trains have the option for human error. The network of tracks is pretty much set and eventual changes/additions can be easily catalogued in a nationwide database. Should be relatively capital inexpensive to automate these things compared to other modes of public transportation.
My thoughts, exactly.
quote:
Then when the train's computer goes fricking nuts everyone will be up in arms screaming "How come we don't have a way to override the computer??!"
I am not saying the train has to drive by itself, but at least it should be able to sense dangerous situations and react. I mean it should know it is coming up on a bend too fast for example (it already probably has a GPS onboard) and should apply brakes to slow it down at least and then sound off an alarm or something so that the engineer knows something's up. Implementation of such a thing should be much easier on trains than automobiles or planes.
This post was edited on 5/13/15 at 2:30 pm
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:27 pm to Street Hawk
quote:
When cars these days have collision warning systems, lane departure system, valet parking system, adaptive cruise control etc., how can a train running on fixed rails not have an automatic braking system when it senses that it is traveling at dangerous speeds?
The Amtrak train was apparently going at 100 mph round the bend. The speed limit in the area was 70 mph and 50 mph around the bend. One would expect trains in 2015 to be smart enough to override any stupid decisions made by the engineer when it compromises people's safety. Thoughts?
Have you ridden on an Amtrak train lately? I'm pretty sure they are the same trains from the 60's or 70's, so I figure they pretty much have 40 year old technology in them.
Posted on 5/13/15 at 2:32 pm to Kingpenm3
quote:
Have you ridden on an Amtrak train lately? I'm pretty sure they are the same trains from the 60's or 70's, so I figure they pretty much have 40 year old technology in them.
We get the trains we pay for...
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