Posts tagged Automatic Train Operation
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While still working on train automation, Metro makes moves toward a new signaling system
Metro was built with Automatic Train Operation in mind, but the system hasn’t been used in years. Now Metro is looking at ways to turn ATO back on while also exploring implementing a whole new signaling system. Keep reading…
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Metro takes one step back from automation (again)
Metro train operators will now resort back to manually pushing the buttons needed to open doors when trains berth to let riders on and off, as the automated system that opens doors when trains arrive at stations, which Metro rolled out on the Red Line in January, has once again been turned back off. Keep reading…
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Your Metrorail trips in 2021 might get quicker – five seconds at a time
A Metro project quietly shelved last year is about to make an attempted comeback in 2021. The agency has a new plan to make its train doors open automatically at stations again, beginning on the Red Line in January, and coming to the rest of the system later in the year. Keep reading…
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Metro Reasons: Computer-driven trains are coming back — that’s good news for riders
Finally, some good news for riders: Metro is planning to restore computer-driven trains in June of 2019, just under a decade after the system was turned off following a fatal collision of two Red Line trains outside of Fort Totten. The return of “auto doors,” the process where doors automatically open once a train properly berths at a station, should also be returning. Keep reading…
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Metro’s schedules aren’t as realistic as they should be
It’s not possible for trains to get from one end of their line to the other in the time Metro’s schedules say they do. In fact, Metro’s Trip Planner tool underestimates actual travel times by about 10 percent. One upside of Metro’s coming schedule changes, which go into effect on June 25, is that its schedules will be updated to be more accurate. Keep reading…
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Metro kicks the automatic train operation can farther down the road
On Thursday morning, WAMU’s Martin DiCaro reported that Metro is cancelling plans to go back to having computers operate its trains rather than humans who do it manually. Automatic train operations (ATO) keeps passenger wait times down and, more importantly, keeps them safe. Metro should be using the technology. Keep reading…
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Train operators continue running red signals on Metro, say the feds
Metro trains have run red lights 68 times in the last four and a half years, according to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The number of incidents per year isn’t going down, and while different types of human error have been the immediate causes, poor training and culture are underlying factors. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Metro issues old and new
Tragedy averted; Automation issues; WMATARU’s fatal flaw; Make Van Ness great again; Delivery’s race factor; More pavement, more problems; HOV in BRT; Hold up at White Oak; Coming soon in NoMa. Keep reading…
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Computer-driven trains are gradually coming back to Metro, but it’ll still take a while
Metro was originally built for computers to drive the trains, but humans have been doing it since 2009. The feature is back on for some Red Line trains. Restoring it to all trains on all lines will give riders a smoother ride and more frequent trains, but there’s still some work to be done. Keep reading…