Sunday, May 29, 2011
Jack Bogdanki comments on the talking bus fiasco
They worked about as well as WES
Tri-Met has abandoned its odd experiment to have a robotic voice on the outside of its buses automatically announce each turn the bus makes. Apparently they had the squawk boxes hooked up to the steering wheel of the bus, set to go off on a full turn of the wheel, and the system couldn't tell whether the bus was turning or just pulling in or out of traffic.
It is not surprising that that didn't work. But assuming that one thinks it's a good idea, why not hook it up to the turn signal? The little lever that the bus driver uses to illuminate the signals could have two stops in each direction -- the first one without the announcement, and the second one with.
Of course, that would require the drivers to use the signals, and even learn new devices, which might defeat the purpose. Part of the original system seemed designed to warn pedestrians and cyclists even when the driver was screwing up -- as one did with horrible results in the incident that initiated the latest flap about dangerous turns.
In any event, we think the robots, which were on some of Tri-Met's lines for about three months, should get a week to say goodbye. Every time the wheel turns, they could say something in the nature of a valedictory. Like "I'm retiring with free medical care for life." Or "So long -- this bus route won't be here much longer, either." Or "As you could tell, I never liked dealing with you, but the pay was great."
Then they can be re-deployed on other government vehicles -- the mayor's pickup truck, Earl the Pearl's SUV, and Fireman Randy's flotilla of custom-built fireboats, to name a few.
It is not surprising that that didn't work. But assuming that one thinks it's a good idea, why not hook it up to the turn signal? The little lever that the bus driver uses to illuminate the signals could have two stops in each direction -- the first one without the announcement, and the second one with.
Of course, that would require the drivers to use the signals, and even learn new devices, which might defeat the purpose. Part of the original system seemed designed to warn pedestrians and cyclists even when the driver was screwing up -- as one did with horrible results in the incident that initiated the latest flap about dangerous turns.
In any event, we think the robots, which were on some of Tri-Met's lines for about three months, should get a week to say goodbye. Every time the wheel turns, they could say something in the nature of a valedictory. Like "I'm retiring with free medical care for life." Or "So long -- this bus route won't be here much longer, either." Or "As you could tell, I never liked dealing with you, but the pay was great."
Then they can be re-deployed on other government vehicles -- the mayor's pickup truck, Earl the Pearl's SUV, and Fireman Randy's flotilla of custom-built fireboats, to name a few.
WHAT DOES MEMORIAL DAY REALLY MEAN?
2,489,335 DEAD AND WOUNDED
38,159 MISSING
“War is when the government tells you who the bad guy is. Revolution is when you decide that for yourself.”
ALL TRANSIT DISTRICTS AROUND THE USA SEEM ABLE TO WORK WITH THEIR UNIONS-NOT TRIMET HOWEVER
It becomes more and more apparent to me just how tyrannical our management really is compared to the other transit districts around the country. Now is the time for our management to get together with our union and settle this dispute once of for all!
How do we democratically settle the great transit debate?
The bus vs rail argument might have started here in Portland but it has spread around the country like wildfire!
LOTS OF GREAT FOOTAGE OF INSERVICE TRIMET RAIL
(something I am prohibited from doing by the way, cause I live in the LAND OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY!)
Deadly Mix: Hubris and Cowardice
Admitting failure in Iraq and Afghanistan is anathema to Official Washington, especially to the still-influential neocons whose status depends on maintaining the illusion of “victory” or at least limited success, even at the cost of more blood and treasure. But Daniel N. White says only a frank acknowledgement of failure can free America from even worse calamities ahead.
http://consortiumnews.com/2011/05/28/deadly-mix-hubris-and-cowardice/
http://consortiumnews.com/2011/05/28/deadly-mix-hubris-and-cowardice/
Treat Yourself to Lunch Today
This was the lunch at Nakwon on Watson Avenue in Beaverton.It is on the #76/78 line.
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