Yes, it is fatuous to suggest that, when other transport modes are
increasingly automated, rail can't or shouldn't be.
The biggest reason to do so is increasing productivity. The Auckland rail
system is already fitted with ATP (ETCS Level 2, IIRC) and provision has
been made for future complete automation on the City Rail Link underground
at some stage (opening in about 2 years). The rationale is not any saving
of labour (there won't be) but a 50% increase in capacity which will be
essential as passenger numbers grow.

On Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 3:12:26 PM UTC+12 mat...@... wrote:

> On 16/8/22 12:56, TP wrote:

> >

> >

> > Augmentation of legacy systems around the world is now practically at

> > a standstill.

>

> Because every one is running out of money. Even new construction is

> slowing and system upgrades are being deferred.

>

> I give it less than 10 years and 'legacy' railways will be automating

> under 'Automatic Train Protection' upgrades. They will slowly work up

> the 'Grades of Automation' ladder.

>

> Once Sydney Trains 'digital railway' project gets underway, providing

> 'GoA1', it will morph to GoA2 and keep going. I give it 20 years (unless

> Sydney Trains get starved of cash again) and they will be at Go3

> automation - some one's still on board, but their main role is passenger

> supervision, the train will be driving itself.

>

> Both France and Germany are running technology trials of on rural mixed

> traffic lines of autonomous train operations for both freight and

> passenger trains. The robots are coming.

>

>

> I can see a day coming when children will be reluctant to get on a

> museum tram for a ride because a person is operating it not a machine.

>

>

>

>

>

>