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Automated Transit Bus

Posted: 29 Dec 2008, 18:06
by Falker
Automated Transit Bus

I first saw this in action on the news the other day and it’s real. Hands free driving looks simpler then first thought. Someday they might replace the driver all together. They’ve been installing Magnets underground on the freeway to test this out in San Diego with a few cars. Now also in LA with a transit bus. I’ll bet someday when they can work the gas and brake pedal , bus drivers may need a career change.


Link:
http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/09/look-ma-no-hand.html

Posted: 30 Dec 2008, 00:32
by VEGETA
seen this before u put magnets n the road car /bus followes. but um say soem reason one set gets screwed up. extra ice on the magnets means cant be seen by buy or whatever and no one behind the wheel = bad day had by all

Posted: 30 Dec 2008, 01:09
by Softball
Now if this was an unmanned train on rails, I could see that happening.

Now, if the busses were ever unmanned, it would pose many concerns. What happens during bad weather (Ice or snow)? During a traffic accident? Red Lights? Can it be hijacked? Can it be stopped if it malfunctions?

So, as you can see many things could happen with a driver-less bus. Seriously, what is the point of this technology? I would not feel very safe riding a bus without a driver or some kind of human intervention.

Posted: 30 Dec 2008, 07:54
by Buffalo Six
like with airplanes, I want a HUMAN driving the bus, not a computer. Yes I'm looking right at you Airbus...........

Posted: 30 Dec 2008, 09:01
by PanzerMeyer
The Metro Mover in Downtown Miami is unmanned. It's basically a small electric train but of course it follows a set rail path throughout the downtown area so that's probably the main reason why it works well.

Posted: 30 Dec 2008, 10:43
by VEGETA
most airports have something like a automated train system, it follows a rail, usually one people can't cross ie its enclosed or above ground and has specific stops. this work quite well but it is not going to have a issue a buss following magnets could have. I mean take down town Toronto its just as congested at newyouk even. We have a subway line and a on road street car line. I could see the subway being automated, i mean someone jumping on the tracks is screwed end of sorry sorry no human can stop a train that fast. But the street cars which actually have to deal with the traffic even though they are on rails I am sorry there is no way a computer as of today can handle it as its a nut house. You can't program all the scenario into a system.

Posted: 31 Dec 2008, 19:45
by Falker
Well I don’t know if I would feel completely safe in a Johnny Cab either , but I’d sure like to try it once to see how it goes. 8O