Trainspotter Posted February 24, 2009 Share #1 Posted February 24, 2009 The first New York City train run entirely by computer hit the rails in the wee hours of the morning Tuesday. Robotrain rolled into service on the line, catching straphangers by surprise. "There aren't humans driving this train? That is just crazy," said Marcel Kersey, 18, who takes the train everyday to his finance classes in the Bronx. "I have to be honest. I'm a little afraid," said Kersey. The train began its historic run at the Eight Avenue and 14th Street station at 12:22 a.m. It soon picked up speed and navigated the turns without losing speed. "The future has arrived and it feels weird," said Natasha Fletcher, 22, a student from Canarsie as she enjoyed the smooth ride. The $326 million upgrade replaces an antiquated signals and communications model that required trains be spaced far apart as they moved though different zones on the line. Computerization should allow trains to run closer together, enabling NYC Transit to provide more frequent service. The is the first line to get the technology but NYC Transit plans on expanding it to other routes to address overcrowding - if it gets the funding. Transit officials had planned to remove conductors from Robotrains in a cost-cutting move but had to back off because it violates the transit workers union contract. "It is more efficient," said associate project manager, Anthony Candarini. "It makes the trains faster and safer because the computer sensors can see things that the motormen can't." Activating the computer has been delayed many times over the years due to software problems, technical glitches and a failure to order enough CBTC-ready subway cars. "It's a lot of work. The system is immensely complicated because of all the switches and curves," said Candarini. The system will first be used during overnight hours before the morning rush and then other off-peak periods. Motormen working the Brooklyn-Manhattan line remained on board, pushing down on a button every fifteen seconds to ensure that they are alert in case of problems. A New York City Transportation historian stood near the cabin for a front row seat for the historic ride. "I'm very impressed with the ride," said Benjamin Schaeffer."This train has been long overdue for the city of New York." BY Matthew Lysiak DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER February 24th 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoot178 Posted February 24, 2009 Share #2 Posted February 24, 2009 is that a stock photo or an ACTUAL photo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted February 24, 2009 Share #3 Posted February 24, 2009 R143! - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UlmerPark B6 Posted February 24, 2009 Share #4 Posted February 24, 2009 Woo-hoo!!!! This is great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KTrainExp Posted February 24, 2009 Share #5 Posted February 24, 2009 Wonderful! I wonder if the Auto- runs faster than the T/O .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave160 Posted February 24, 2009 Share #6 Posted February 24, 2009 I'd like to ride the soon to see if there are any differences in the driving, whether its smoother or bumpier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armax1980 Posted February 24, 2009 Share #7 Posted February 24, 2009 Guess this means bad news for future train operators and conductors:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted February 24, 2009 Share #8 Posted February 24, 2009 Wonderful! I wonder if the Auto- runs faster than the T/O .... I am quite dubious of that. I don't really think it would run that much faster ideally (without delays in the old set-up), however this system will allow for better control of trains and more frequency of service (probably) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2Julio Posted February 24, 2009 Share #9 Posted February 24, 2009 Guess this means bad news for future train operators and conductors:(Tell me about it. I'm just starting to put my foot into the MTA and it looks like I won't be needed for long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1447 Posted February 25, 2009 Share #10 Posted February 25, 2009 is that a stock photo or an ACTUAL photo? No Thats an old photo. @Y2Julio - Yes bad news for us future C/Rs and t/os. But dont worry sometimes things like these fail and we go back to normal lol I wonder what happened to the T/Os from the , where they went? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattTrain Posted February 25, 2009 Share #11 Posted February 25, 2009 T/O's are still at the front of the train, just to override the computer system and take over the train if there's a computer error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armax1980 Posted February 25, 2009 Share #12 Posted February 25, 2009 I wonder what happened to the T/Os from the , where they went? They just joined the layoff list or reclassified as cleaners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2Julio Posted February 25, 2009 Share #13 Posted February 25, 2009 They just joined the layoff list or reclassified as cleaners.No. They are still in the T/O cabs of the trains running CBTC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan05979 Posted February 25, 2009 Share #14 Posted February 25, 2009 dont you think the union will be against this? i think it sucks big time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2Julio Posted February 25, 2009 Share #15 Posted February 25, 2009 dont you think the union will be against this? i think it sucks big time. No. Since both T/Os and C/Rs will be on the CBTC trains, the union doesn't have a problem. The problem was that the last time the MTA tried to run it, they wanted to remove the C/Rs from trains running in CBTC with only the T/O on board which was a violation of the contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duelingdragons Posted February 25, 2009 Share #16 Posted February 25, 2009 Guess this means bad news for future train operators and conductors:( Yeah.. doesn't bode well for a guy that just took the C/R test in December. =\ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duelingdragons Posted February 25, 2009 Share #17 Posted February 25, 2009 I bet T/O's on the CBTC trains love it.. they get to just sit there and chill.. I know they're waiting for something to go wrong, but its still a sweet gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted February 26, 2009 Share #18 Posted February 26, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan Railer Posted February 26, 2009 Share #19 Posted February 26, 2009 I bet T/O's on the CBTC trains love it.. they get to just sit there and chill.. I know they're waiting for something to go wrong, but its still a sweet gig. are you kidding? you know how boring that would be? just sitting there and waiting for something to happen... at least when it was manual operation, the T/O got to move levers around (even if it was in the dark and he could barely keep himself awake), now he just sits there and waits for the system to malfunction or something. i wouldn't do that even if i got 30 or so $ an hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R14262 Posted February 27, 2009 Share #20 Posted February 27, 2009 hope it works out and more trains can run. If it does the 7 line will be next to get it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted February 28, 2009 Share #21 Posted February 28, 2009 Hmm.. now that the L is switching to ATO, do you think that PSDs could be installed in the future along that line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32 3348 Posted February 28, 2009 Share #22 Posted February 28, 2009 Definitely... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedChikkin Posted March 2, 2009 Share #23 Posted March 2, 2009 Guess this means bad news for future train operators and conductors:( Not for a long time. Another blackout... what's the train going to do? A track fire? A pencil stuck in the threshold plate? A chemical attack? A person falls into the tracks, under the train? How will the train know the difference between human and track debris? During a G.O.... when the easily lost begin to sit in corners, rocking back and forth going crazy and mumbling, completely lost... what then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32 3348 Posted March 2, 2009 Share #24 Posted March 2, 2009 This question is for the T/Os. Do the R160s have CBTC hardware or software? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex L. Posted March 2, 2009 Share #25 Posted March 2, 2009 This question is for the T/Os. Do the R160s have CBTC hardware or software? No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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