BalooChicago
Well-Known Member
I wonder if automation won't lead to the cabs being open again.
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Rumor- WDW to get new monorail trains in near future
- Thread starter baylaketower
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G00fyDad
Well-Known Member
They'll never take that risk again. I am just glad that we got to ride up there before they shut down this practice. It is too big of a liability issue. Automation does not equate to accident free.
Creathir
Premium Member
Actually I would bet that guests would be allowed to again. DL allows it, so as corporate policy goes, I would think that once control is really out of the hands of a pilot who could be distracted, it probably would not be a big deal.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
More if they can avoid using the switching mechanism without better controls.
During operating hours there's no reason why the trains can't be kept on a closed loop.
In addition, safety sensors with an automatic braking system could be installed.
Hopefully someday...but, I doubt it will ever be a childhood memory for my kid as it was for me, at least not unless I take her to DL.
Maybe one of my grandkids.
We were boarding the monorail at CR last month when I heard an explanation from a CR I had never heard before as to why guests cannot ride with the driver any longer. He said "since WDW determined (just a few years ago) the monorails to be transportation and not an attraction OSHA ruled guests are no longer allowed to ride with the driver. In other words they now have the same rules as any passenger trains / subways. I know this is probably BS, but it is a logical reason.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
It's certainly plausible. It's why they have the yellow lines on the busses (federal regulations).
I don't think it's OSHA though...I think it's Homeland Security regulations.
Those regulations existed long before the Department of Homeland Security...the other DHS.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
Yes, but they were strengthened and now fall under DHS, not just Dept of Trans regulations.
I hear they are putting in a couple levels in the parking garage that will be painted black. When the monorail expansion hits this area, they will just be able to remove those levels of the parking garage and have the monorail drive through or use this area as a station.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
That doesn't make much sense in Florida, which has a rather lax regulatory environment. OSHA doesn't even regulate theme park rides there. But OSHA regulates theme park rides in California, and inspects every Disneyland attraction twice per year, including the Monorail. No such OSHA inspections take place in Florida.
The Disneyland Monorail operates daily with multiple trains on the beamway. The Disneyland Monorail allows passengers to ride in the nose cones with the pilots, and in the tail cones by themselves, on every trip. In a state with some of the strongest government regulations in the Union.
That OSHA excuse from a front-line hourly WDW Cast Member doesn't pass the smell test, I'm afraid.
G00fyDad
Well-Known Member
I don't know why Disney allows it in DL, but I am willing to bet it will never happen again in WDW. Maybe because the one in Florida is considered a transportation device and the insurance company will not allow Disney to let guests up front any more. Can you imagine the nightmare Disney would go through if another accident happens again and a family is killed because they allowed them to ride up front? Wow. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on a ride up front in WDW.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
OSHA is federal and Cal/OSHA is state. Different bodies. The Feds don't inspect Disneyland rides. The change in policy came after the accident investigation that involved OSHA and the NTSB. Just as Cal/OSHA started inspecting rides after the Disneyland accidents.
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Good point.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
The whole idea is to let the WDW monorails rot and eventually become unserviceable, See 20K leagues for an example on how this is done.
It's the same kind of thinking which got the mug pulled.
It's the same kind of thinking which got the mug pulled.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
There is no insurance company. Like most multi-billion dollar companies, they are self-insured.
In other words, the policies in place are Disney's choice.
G00fyDad
Well-Known Member
I learn something new every day. However, it does not change the fact that it is a fallible system (robots/technology) no matter what is in charge of the monorails and Disney would be fools to allow guests back up front again. I don't see this every happening again.
Creathir
Premium Member
I don't buy the whole "let it rot" argument.
Too much investment in the monorail itself. As a means of transportation, Disney is associated with the monorail. Additionally, the volume of folks it transports is too great, plus it's a very green transportation method.
I don't see it going away ever, let alone anytime soon.
caseykasem99
Member
You have a good point, Why invest in Automation if they plan on letting them rot
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ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Because in business one sometimes embarks upon an upgrade program whose failure is guaranteed to lay the groundwork for discontinuing that line of business because 'continued operation is uneconomical' due to the necessary costs to allow operations to continue using 'current day' standards. It may blow a few million now but if it 'saves' tens of millions in operating expense per year it is considered a worthwhile investment.
caseykasem99
Member
I seriously doubt it only cost a "few million" to automate the entire fleet of monorails. plus refurb which we have seen on monorail black with new carpets etc.. thats not just a few million. but if you want to be the pessimist of the board far be it from me to stop you.
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