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A computer upgrade shut down BART

(www.bart.gov)
232 points ksajadi | 2 comments | 05 Sep 25 14:52 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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RcouF1uZ4gsC ◴[05 Sep 25 17:01 UTC] No.45140833[source]▶
Public transportation is inherently centralized.

Cars are anti-fragile and decentralized.

Cars fail open in the short term.

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formerly_proven ◴[05 Sep 25 17:10 UTC] No.45140933[source]▶
Traditional train systems themselves are extremely decentralized, though scheduling is not. Traditional interlockings form a mirroring mesh network parallel to the physical network of steel rails itself.
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1. xnx ◴[05 Sep 25 17:33 UTC] No.45141218[source]▶
Train tracks are a form of centralization. Without the ability to reroute around disruptions (like cars and buses) a single stopped train (e.g. due to mechanical or passenger issues) can stop everything.
replies(1): >>45142843 #
2. ForOldHack ◴[05 Sep 25 19:48 UTC] No.45142843[source]▶
BART is dual track around the entire system, except for side yard entrances. I have seen stopped trains, and it was worked around. One I was on caught fire I. The middle of a station and it did not close the line. It slowed it down a lot but did not stop. There are so many systems in place, it's a quite complex system.

The real heros? The bus drivers. The baddies? The planners, the management. The evil? Pure unadulterated evil? The AC Transit app. I would give it a -11.