>Recently, there was the high speed train wreak in Belgium, I know of 
>another one in Boston due to "text messaging" on a cell phone. There 
>was another in Washington DC due to"text messaging". With simple 
>controls, and GPS tracking, couldn't these accidents be avoided? Why 
>couldn't the controls of the train engineer be overridden when a 
>mistake is made. Surely a simple collision avoidance system could be 
>worked out on a fixed track with GPS trackers at each end of every 
>train. How is it still possible for this to happen with today's 
>technology? Is it a labor union requirement that the engineer is in 
>sole control of the train? What corruption is preventing this 
>automation from being applied? These accidents were caused by human 
>mistakes. Now there are plans for a high speed rail system in 
>California. A PIC could handle this.

Already has existed for years:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_Train_Control

I believe it is required in the US for any stretch of track 
where  trains are allowed speeds over 79mph.

Regards,
Kevin Jones




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