Monorail Automation Testing

[ABQ]

The trams at MCO are shuttles.. they just go back and forth in the same track without any other traffic on their beam.

I agree the MCO trams aren't a good comparison model, however, look at something like the Skylink trains at DFW airport. Two tracks, running in opposing directions, very similar to the monorail beams around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Each train in DFW makes 4 stops in a loop. Multiple trams on both tracks at any given time, none have drivers. Runs pretty well. However, the trains aren't nearly the length of a monorail, but they did do one thing right, built the platform to match the train so wheelchairs, and in the case of an airport, tons of wheeled luggage, roll right on without the need for a steel plate to be handled manually like WDW's monorail.

 

[mcjaco]

Better comparison is PTC (Positive Train Control) systems for railroads being rolled out across the country.

Engineers are still needed, but PTC is an emergency back up system for human error.

 

[danlb_2000]

Emergency situations. What happens if the monorail were to break down on the open beam and there is nobody to contact in the front. There aren't walkways along the track like what would be necessary of the pilot were to be removed. The new system is 75% better positioning system and 25% more efficient transport.

If there was an "emergency" what would he current pilots be able to do anyway?

 

[Figment2005]

If there was an "emergency" what would he current pilots be able to do anyway?

The pilots are the communication between the guests and the central control tower and/or emergency services if something were to go wrong. Also if there is a mechanical problem that requires a bypass, such as a guest leaning on the door causing the train to stop, the train would need to be manually driven to the next station. In its simplest form with the age of the trains having the pilots in place is a fail-safe.

 

[danlb_2000]

The pilots are the communication between the guests and the central control tower and/or emergency services if something were to go wrong. Also if there is a mechanical problem that requires a bypass, such as a guest leaning on the door causing the train to stop, the train would need to be manually driven to the next station. In its simplest form with the age of the trains having the pilots in place is a fail-safe.

If the tower can talk to the pilot and the pilot can talk to the guests, the middle man can be eliminated and the tower can talk directly to the guests. I would also think any override that the pilot could do, could also be done directly from the tower.

 

[Figment2005]

If the tower can talk to the pilot and the pilot can talk to the guests, the middle man can be eliminated and the tower can talk directly to the guests. I would also think any override that the pilot could do, could also be done directly from the tower.

You're not wrong. However I personally don't know the thinking that went into this current design.

 

[flynnibus]

Emergency situations. What happens if the monorail were to break down on the open beam and there is nobody to contact in the front. There aren't walkways along the track like what would be necessary of the pilot were to be removed. The new system is 75% better positioning system and 25% more efficient transport.

Then that wouldn't be a pilot - that would be a conductor... and would not be something you would do just 'certain times of day' - that would be something you'd do all the time. You don't know you'll only break down during 'certain times of day'

 

[Funmeister]

If the tower can talk to the pilot and the pilot can talk to the guests, the middle man can be eliminated and the tower can talk directly to the guests. I would also think any override that the pilot could do, could also be done directly from the tower.

There is way too much responsibility for the Tower to worry about communicating to guests. It is possible, but they are monitoring all radio transmissions between all trains and stations in addition to coordinating safety checks, maint. problems and overall flow of the system. You would need a team of coordinators in the Tower and if you can justify that then you can justify keeping a pilot in each train.

 

[Polydweller]

People seem to be forgetting that the plan for this automation system is for the pilot to start the train in motions from a station. This is to ensure that the platform it is safe to start, ie doors closed, platform clear. Once the train starts then the automation takes over. The pilot is also there to take over if they have to. The pilot is ultimately still responsible for the train. So, there is a pilot's role here.

 

[danlb_2000]

There is way too much responsibility for the Tower to worry about communicating to guests. It is possible, but they are monitoring all radio transmissions between all trains and stations in addition to coordinating safety checks, maint. problems and overall flow of the system. You would need a team of coordinators in the Tower and if you can justify that then you can justify keeping a pilot in each train.

We are talking about an emergency on the train, in which case that should have the majority of the tower's attention whether there is a driver or not.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Unlike the monorails at TDL, which appear to be similar in use as these.

The Disney Resort Line does have a conductor at the rear of the train who observes the platform with hand ready at the E-Stop.

 

[Figment2005]

We are talking about an emergency on the train, in which case that should have the majority of the tower's attention whether there is a driver or not.

A problem does not always mean emergency. You know as well as anyone on these boards that a typical guest at Disney leaves their brain back home. However in the case of an emergency would you rather have a person who has been prepared and trained for the situation on the train in direct control, or would you rather have someone try and instruct panicking/overreacting guests over a telephone or intercom. Liability wise, having the pilot remain in the train is the wise choice.

 

[danlb_2000]

A problem does not always mean emergency. You know as well as anyone on these boards that a typical guest at Disney leaves their brain back home. However in the case of an emergency would you rather have a person who has been prepared and trained for the situation on the train in direct control, or would you rather have someone try and instruct panicking/overreacting guests over a telephone or intercom. Liability wise, having the pilot remain in the train is the wise choice.

What could a guest do outside of the station that the driver would have any awareness of? How would a driver be able to talk directly to the passengers? I didn't think the driver compartment had access to the passenger compartments.

 

[Figment2005]

What could a guest do outside of the station that the driver would have any awareness of? How would a driver be able to talk directly to the passengers? I didn't think the driver compartment had access to the passenger compartments.

A door alert is the biggest offender of guest caused problems. Too much pressure on the doors, or sometimes guests even try to open the escape hatches. This will bring the train to a complete stop and the driver will be fully aware of what's going on. To remedy this a physical bypass has to be used and held until the train has entered a station. All the while the driver is responsible for keeping an eye on the doors and hatches of the train to make sure nothing becomes completely open, or a guest doesn't try to jump out. With a driver in place this problem is remedied in a matter of minutes most of the time. If the train was fully automated this would require the train to be evacuated before it could safely be moved.

 

[danlb_2000]

A door alert is the biggest offender of guest caused problems. Too much pressure on the doors, or sometimes guests even try to open the escape hatches. This will bring the train to a complete stop and the driver will be fully aware of what's going on. To remedy this a physical bypass has to be used and held until the train has entered a station. All the while the driver is responsible for keeping an eye on the doors and hatches of the train to make sure nothing becomes completely open, or a guest doesn't try to jump out. With a driver in place this problem is remedied in a matter of minutes most of the time. If the train was fully automated this would require the train to be evacuated before it could safely be moved.

How does the driver see the doors on both sides and the hatches on top while he is driving?

 

[Funmeister]

We are talking about an emergency on the train, in which case that should have the majority of the tower's attention whether there is a driver or not.

Ok, so when there is an emergency on the EPCOT beam and Monorail Red has a train control going up to the Contemporary...one (or two) coordinators in the tower cannot be relied upon to speak to guests in the train. Sorry, too many problems happen at the same time now without emergencies coming into play. Not a good idea.

 

[WEDwaydatamover]

None of automated upgrades makes any sense with trains this old. I don't know if they are testing the technology for a bigger company and buying their monorails at a reduced rate in exchange or testing this technology on the world's most traveled rails or what. It seems insane.

 

[Daveeeeed]

ATL's Hartsfield Jackson has what they call an airport Train that takes you along 8 stops I believe and with two lines they are both automated. I can't see Disney going that route. Probably it will be like a plane with the monorail pilots always there, and can override autopilot in a sense, just with opening and closing and stopping being always controlled by the pilot. Purely suspicion, but just my thoughts.

 

[Rob562]

How does the driver see the doors on both sides and the hatches on top while he is driving?

Mirrors. Either side and up above.

-Rob

 

[Disone]

None of automated upgrades makes any sense with trains this old. I don't know if they are testing the technology for a bigger company and buying their monorails at a reduced rate in exchange or testing this technology on the world's most traveled rails or what. It seems insane.

Actually, Vancouver Skytrain has three main lines and over 40 miles of track. They also have a massive Fleet of trains, just massive, and are currently running three different Generations. Some of the trains are quite old but all of them are fully automated without any drivers. Adding a little bit of curiosity to the mix, these trains are produced by Bombardiar, the very same manufacturer that produced the 12 trains currently operating at the Walt Disney World Resort.