4 ms·

The simple answer: Trains can't stop quickly, and can't switch tracks easily. A car stays in lanes that go one way. Trains don't: they often share a segment

The simple answer: Trains can't stop quickly, and can't switch tracks easily. A car stays in lanes that go one way. Trains don't: they often share a segment of track for both directions, and you better be darn sure you're not going to run head-on into an oncoming train, or into a stopped one. Thus, trains need a lot more communications and coordination to ensure safety, unlike cars which use the rules of the road and quick maneuvering and stopping to adjust

jonknee 11y ago
That still doesn't explain why a simple solution can't control speed limits (which would have prevented this accident).
- tyingq 11y ago
  The barrier is likely the process through which PCT was mandated. Starting with this: https://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/2189 https://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/2189 "(3) POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM.—The term ‘positive train control system’ means a system designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a switch left in the wrong position." The deadlines, definitions, etc, don't line up well with a "What can we do now, with existing tech, that would add value at a low cost?" approach.
melling 11y ago
Still, someone in junior high can do the math to figure out the solution given speed and location of each train. My guess is that no one knows the location or the speed of the train because we don't want to spend the money. Of course, it'll be extremely expensive to solve this because of how Amtrak is managed.
- rayiner 11y ago
  Yeah, someone programmed the Uber app with junior high math to show you where your driver is. But I regularly see the driver pull up when the Uber app shows him still a couple of blocks away. I wouldn't Uber's app controlling my fricking train.

4 ms·

The simple answer: Trains can't stop quickly, and can't switch tracks easily. A car stays in lanes that go one way. Trains don't: they often share a segment

by mcpherrinm 11y ago

jonknee 11y ago
That still doesn't explain why a simple solution can't control speed limits (which would have prevented this accident).
- tyingq 11y ago
  The barrier is likely the process through which PCT was mandated. Starting with this: https://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/2189 https://www.fra.dot.gov/Elib/Document/2189 "(3) POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM.—The term ‘positive train control system’ means a system designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a switch left in the wrong position." The deadlines, definitions, etc, don't line up well with a "What can we do now, with existing tech, that would add value at a low cost?" approach.
melling 11y ago
Still, someone in junior high can do the math to figure out the solution given speed and location of each train. My guess is that no one knows the location or the speed of the train because we don't want to spend the money. Of course, it'll be extremely expensive to solve this because of how Amtrak is managed.
- rayiner 11y ago
  Yeah, someone programmed the Uber app with junior high math to show you where your driver is. But I regularly see the driver pull up when the Uber app shows him still a couple of blocks away. I wouldn't Uber's app controlling my fricking train.