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Most of BART’s challenges stem from 180 software packages and 30 microprocessors that make up each Bombardier vehicle. Each is a complex symphony of systems tha
by spenrose 7y ago
Most of BART’s challenges stem from 180 software packages and 30 microprocessors that make up each Bombardier vehicle. Each is a complex symphony of systems that communicate over an Ethernet backbone. A bug in one line of code could shut the whole thing down, requiring a rigorous safety review process that may take months before engineers can reinstall the software."
- vonmoltke 7y agoThat may explain why New Jersey Transit's Bombardier cars are so temperamental.
- fnord77 7y agolet me guess... $11/hour software engineers
- jgibson 7y agoNot that this makes the Bombardier problem trivial, but that seems fairly simple compared to most cars on the road today, which have over 100 micros. Software can be done well in complicated systems if you have the expertise, design, time and money to get it right.
- wiseleo 7y agoMakes you ask just one question: why? Why is the architecture not controlled by a redundant master system and a bunch of microcontrollers that act as glorified relays.