the trials and tribulations of a US rail transit agency

[miyakoji]

A very interesting article.  I particularly like the part about 100 year old infrastructure :)

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/septa_regional_rail_trains_timetable_reliability.html

[cteno4]

Ugh sad reading.

 

Jeff

[kvp]

At least they have a roadmap with already cleared financing. Track, station and rolling stock upgrades are always good.

 

On the other hand, imho a combined smartphone based tracking/dispatching/information system could help them. The idea is to track trains by the onboard smartphone's gps and network connection, push announcements through the downlink, add a voice communication/dispatch system on top and display position and status info for the travellers. It could actually decrease staffing requirements by automating some low complexity (dull) work. Imho most people would accept smaller delays if they know when and how they are going to get to their destination and could calculate with it.

[bill937ca]

Also known as SEPTIC. It seems to me that the larger North American transit systems are often in a state of crisis mostly due to lack of dedicated funding. The lack of funding is a political reality of a 10-20% market share for mass transit and virtually everyone driving.

Edited August 14, 2016 by bill937ca