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Boris Johnson calls for driverless trains as condition of future Transport for London bailout


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34 minutes ago, Colin_McLeod said:

Technically feasable.

But whether the safety authorities (the ORR) would agree, given the current nature of the network, is another matter entirely. Even the Docklands Light Railway isn't fully automatic as it still requires manual oversight of door closure, a requirement that is as true today as it was when the DLR was built. Boris does not understand, or has not even bothered to try to understand, that UK law doesn't permit a train operator to hold the passenger responsible for any injuries caused by getting trapped in the closing doors and/or dragged by the train.

 

Jim 

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But that is a regulation change, not an engineering change. They could be crew-less, or if we must have personnel, they could be on the station. Without stating current regs and thinking, why could train not be automated if the technology permits it.

 

The ASLEF arguement in the article is flawed as it would be new project money that paid for re-signalling, not maintenance or current capital expenditure budgets.

 

It may be purely provocative, but he is not wrong about being held to ransom. He is s Conservative, after all, so baiting and reducing union influence is a key policy.

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1 minute ago, daveyb said:

why could train not be automated if the technology permits it.

It could be.  Four lines currently operate in a nearly-automated manner and four more are about to join them.  

 

But.  It's a big but.  There is still a "driver" at the front of every train.  They don't drive on the automated lines under normal circumstances but can do in emergency.  They have oversight of door-closing which is a huge safety-critical area and which cannot be left to platform staff because they have no way to control the doors.  

 

Despite the advent of automated announcements - of which "we are being held at a red signal and should be moving shortly" is perhaps the most often heard - the driver can still make manual ones.  This can be to reinforce the "stand clear of the doors" message prior to departure.

 

Many Londoners would probably not accept tube trains without a staff member on board willingly.  Knowing they could be tightly packed into a small space with many others and no staff to respond in the event of an emergency would not inspire confidence.  Having to fend for themselves in - for example - a power failure when all but emergency lighting goes off and so do the fans meaning it gets very hot very quickly inside will not prove popular.  Just having one person at the front able to take charge, speak with line control and then (if necessary) assist passengers is reassuring and if it comes down to cost then what price safety?  

 

The railway industry claims it does not compromise on safety.  

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And just to add, what an insult  when train drivers where putting our lives on the line back in the heart of the pandemic, wondering if we would pick up the virus and potentially spread it to our loved ones whilst the country was in lockdown. What a way to repay that loyalty. Train drivers are key workers too. Maybe not as "sexy" as NHS but key workers none the less!!!

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