You've heard of driverless cars. Now, engineerless trains.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, Trainorders:

Eastern Railroad Discussion > FRA RFI: Automation in the Railroad Industry

Date: 03/30/18 02:03
FRA RFI: Automation in the Railroad Industry
Author: JPB

FRA would like your opinion!

Posted March 29, 2018:

"DOCKET NUMBER: 2018-0027
SUBJECT: Freight Operations, Intelligent Railroad Systems, Passenger Rail, Railroad System Issues, Risk Assessment, Knowledge diffusion, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Autonomous
KEYWORDS: Request for Information, RFI
ABSTRACT: This request for information notice replaces the version published in the Federal Register on March 22, 2018 (83 FR 12646), to make technical corrections to the prior version. FRA requests information and comment on the future of automation in the railroad industry. FRA is interested in hearing from industry stakeholders, the public, local and State governments, and any other interested parties on the potential benefits, costs, risks, and challenges to implementing automated railroad operations. FRA also seeks comment on how the agency can best support the railroad industry’s development and implementation of new and emerging technologies in automation that could lead to safety improvements or increased efficiencies in railroad operations."

https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L19435#p1_z5_gD_lLR_lLI_lLN_lLP

Request for Information: Automation in the Railroad Industry

Automation in the Railroad Industry Pages 13583 - 13586 {FR DOC # 2018-06281}

or, html version:

Automation in the Railroad Industry Request for Information (RFI)

[Wellstone ruled]

1. You knew this was coming.

Remote Controlled Locomotives have been in use for decades. There again,in a controlled environment of Freight Yard Operations. Do remember a Family member who was a Employee of a Class one Railroad testing Satellite Controlled Unit trains some where in the Mid West.

Surprised it has taken this long for this story to hit the press. It has been the Rail Workers Union that has kept this idea from going forward. Open secret among Train Engineers is this,you are going to have at least three rail crossing accidents in your career.