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L Trains Run Entirely By Computer, Starting Tomorrow
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 23, 2009
Modified Feb 23, 2009
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By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 23, 2009
Modified Feb 23, 2009
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The transformation is at last complete: After years of delays, L trains will now operate entirely at the whims of an all-powerful computer system—just in time for everyone to ride it to Union Square for the premiere of Terminator Salvation. Motormen working the Brooklyn-Manhattan line will remain on board as a token gesture to humanity's fading relevance, and as way of placating Luddites worried about some sinister runaway HAL train making a break for New Jersey. The "Communications Based Train Control" [CBTC] will kick in tomorrow, (theoretically) enabling NYC Transit to relieve overcrowding by running trains closer together than the current signal system allows. You may recall that fully activating the robo-train has been pushed back for years due to technical glitches; the system will be used overnight at first before expanding into peak service times. NYC Transit's vice president assures the public the computer-operated trains are ready for prime time, telling the Daily News, "This is a safe system with proven technology." At least until it becomes self-aware.
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MTA
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John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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