4 ms·

and when a component breaks?

• RamiK 13y ago
  More so considering the city might want to close down the bridge (eh... open it? lift it?!) remotely in case of an emergency. They might also want to throw in some traffic condensation sensors and cameras for security and/or tickets and so on...
  • userbinator 13y ago
    It wouldn't surprise me if the new system turns out to be less reliable and not last as long, due to all these added things. This isn't aerospace-level, but it's still an application where bugs can be truly dangerous (e.g. bridge attempts to open while you're driving across?) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second-system_effect http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second-system_effect
    • koenigdavidmj 13y ago
      We actually have relevant history of that in Seattle. The 520 bridge opened whilst traffic was running back in the 80s, killing one.
• egil 13y ago
  If it breaks, you surely need to fix it (and having plans to fix it or upgrading it due to lack of replacement parts etc is of course neccessary). However, there is also inherent risks in upgrading such appliances, so it should not be done simply because the hardware is old.
  • pilsetnieks 13y ago
    From the original article: > The old-school electric resistors and other parts are wearing out, so that replacements must be scavenged from city shops or eBay, he says. Finnick recalls a 12-hour stoppage, when the city used a backup diesel motor to lift the bridge for boats. Other times, the city dispatched a second bridge tender to help open the bridge manually. It does break and replacement parts are hard to find.