Re: Does NR know about this?

[James Robinson <NOSPAM@ERIE.NET>]

Maurie Daly wrote:
> 
> James Robinson <NOSPAM@ERIE.NET> writes:
> 
> >New technologies and practices have made railroads safer than they have
> >ever been, and there is no reason to assume that, with proper care,
> >crews cannot be reduced even more.  Probably inevitable, if not
> >required, to keep the industry healthy and competitive.
> 
> Could you please enlighten us as to what you are talking about here.
> What technologies and practices .
> In Australia today , a prang will occur for exactly the same reason that it
> would have occurred 100 years ago, ie driver error or physical infrastructure
> fault , like broken rails or broken wheels.

The list of technological improvements is significant.  While railroads
may at times appear to operate with 100 year old technology,
(particularly in management practices,) in reality much has changed. 
One only has to look at photographs taken as little as 20 or 30 years
ago to see a marked difference.  The changes seem to come slowly, but
they have been continuous.

Looking at track, consider the improvements in rail metallurgy, concrete
sleepers, clips, continuous welded rail, heavier, crushed rock ballast
instead of cinders or pit-run, heavier rail sections, improved turnout
geometry, better rail fastening and anchoring, larger double shoulder
tie plates, etc.  

In equipment, there is all steel car construction, improved wheel
metallurgy, roller bearings, hydraulic cushioning units, automatic slack
adjusters, improved brake valves, and the new electrically controlled
pneumatic brake systems.  Locomotives offer the obvious switch from
steam to diesel, but even diesels have been evolving with turbocharging,
microprocessor control systems, AC traction, advanced adhesion control
systems, electronic fuel injection, more effective dynamic braking,
roller bearing traction motor suspension bearings, better operator's
cabs, pressure maintaining brake equipment, driver alertness systems,
etc.

In signalling, the introduction of radios, data radio communication
systems, automatic wayside inspection systems (hot bearing, wheel
impact, shifted load, broken wheel, inoperative brake, etc.)
end-of-train communications systems, centralised traffic control,
electric switch machines, computer based control systems, fax machines,
etc.

While accidents still happen, the number have significantly overall, and
each of the technology improvements listed above has contributed to the
improvement.  Accident statistics show that the safety of rail systems
has been consistently improving over time.

> If drivers are expected to drive for longer hours , and there are to be less
> of them , and there is no form of electronic train protection to override
> drivers when they may mistakes (no ATP in use in Australia yet.), then the
> prang rate will increase.
> Hines Hill, Mt Christie and Beresfield wernt statistical anomalies.

There is no question that such changes cannot be implemented without
carefully thinking through the consequences, and addressing them to
sustain safety.  It is also incorrect to assume that just because there
are more people operating trains that there will necessarily be an
improvement in safety.  Canadian statistics show that with the
introduction of radio controlled shunting locomotives, for example, the
employee injury rate as well as the number of reportable incidents have
been reduced.  While some of this reduction can be attributed to the
technology (the person directing the movement is also personally
controlling the locomotive) there has also been a reduction in the
number injuries simply because there are fewer employees to get hurt.

It is possible to safely operate trains with fewer than two people on
the train.  There are examples of trains that operate without any people
on board at all, like unmanned transit systems and in plant ore hauling
systems.  Newer technologies will make such operations more and more
practical and widespread.  The operation of trains with only one person
on board in many places in the world is fairly commonplace.  Not all of
these systems have ATC or in-cab signalling systems, and their safety
records have been good.  This is not to say that the safety records
can't be improved.

In all, the advances in technology will make the operation of trains
with only one on-board person commonplace.  Get used to the idea.