DC Metro asleep at the switch

SteamWake · 07-09-09, 11:34 AM

Yesterday there was a video of a train driver texting while on the route.

Today a video surfaces of a train driver nodding off while at the helm.

Note that these were both before the crash of the blue line.

Quote:

"We want to know exactly what's going on," Taubenkibel said. "If people see something they don't feel is safe please let us know."

Soo... in other words the management doesent know what is going on? The public has to tell them? I think he may wish to rephrase that.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,531040,00.html

Max2147 · 07-09-09, 12:04 PM

So you think that Metro should install cameras to watch their drivers' moves?

SteamWake · 07-09-09, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max2147

So you think that Metro should install cameras to watch their drivers' moves?

No I would expect them to hire competient concienous drivers. But I assume they dont have the moneys for that so they settle for employees that are neither.

Another 'argument' is that the automated systems breed content. But I dont want to digress.

However there is no excuse for a driver with peoples lives in their hands to act like this. To put it bluntly it's selfish.

If your so tired, bored, hung over, what ever for gods sake dont go to work that day. Its not like some slob that falls asleep at his desk.

Managament not being aware of this type of behaviour are either ignoant, duped, or looking the other way. My money is on the latter.

Max2147 · 07-09-09, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

No I would expect them to hire competient concienous drivers. But I assume they dont have the moneys for that so they settle for employees that are neither.

Another 'argument' is that the automated systems breed content. But I dont want to digress.

However there is no excuse for a driver with peoples lives in their hands to act like this. To put it bluntly it's selfish.

If your so tired, bored, hung over, what ever for gods sake dont go to work that day. Its not like some slob that falls asleep at his desk.

Managament not being aware of this type of behaviour are either ignoant, duped, or looking the other way. My money is on the latter.

I think Metro driver jobs actually pay pretty well, considering how little the drivers actually do.

I think your point about the automated system is actually pretty accurate. All the drivers have to do is close the doors and announce the next stop. If I had to do that all day, I'd probably fall asleep too. The Metro system is in a sort of gap as far as automation - it's too automated to keep the drivers active, but it's not automated enough to make the drivers redundant (a la the London DLR).

As we covered in a previous thread, Metro's management is a bunch of elected officials who have no experience or competence when it comes to running a mass transit system.

If I were in charge, I'd make the investment and make the system fully automated. However, the current technology that Metro uses isn't reliable enough for that. It seems that an automation fault caused the Red Line crash, and I know there was one incident where a couple drivers had to hit the emergency brakes to prevent a collision in the tunnel under the Potomac. Of course, when the drivers do their job and save lives, it doesn't make the headlines.

SteamWake · 07-09-09, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max2147

As we covered in a previous thread, Metro's management is a bunch of elected officials who have no experience or competence when it comes to running a mass transit system.
.

As they say good enough for goverment work. This is my point exactly.

Oberon · 07-09-09, 02:46 PM

Don't they have a vigilence alarm?

In the UK, there's a little bleeper that goes off every minute or so and if the driver doesn't cancel it then the train is brought to a halt, likewise there's the 'Dead Mans Handle' which needs constant pressure on it otherwise it activates the brakes, although if it's foot operated then I think some drivers put their bag on it to pin it down.
Of course, this won't stop drivers using their mobiles, for that you'd need either cameras or hidden inspectors.

Either which way, it does sound like the Metro needs a bit of a shake-up.

07-09-09, 12:04 PM	#2
Max2147 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 714 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	So you think that Metro should install cameras to watch their drivers' moves?

07-09-09, 02:46 PM	#6
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Don't they have a vigilence alarm? In the UK, there's a little bleeper that goes off every minute or so and if the driver doesn't cancel it then the train is brought to a halt, likewise there's the 'Dead Mans Handle' which needs constant pressure on it otherwise it activates the brakes, although if it's foot operated then I think some drivers put their bag on it to pin it down. Of course, this won't stop drivers using their mobiles, for that you'd need either cameras or hidden inspectors. Either which way, it does sound like the Metro needs a bit of a shake-up.