Journal 14, July 1

Fatal Technology Dependence

As our dependence on technology increases, it seems we become more prone to it acting against us. Early last week two trains collided in the D.C.-Maryland area killing nine people. The rails are automatically operated by a system that dates back to the late 1970s meaning it is over 30-years old. Around 5 o’clock in the evening, two trains seemed to have bypassed the system and ran into each other. The systems emergency program should have realized that the conditions on the track were not suitable for both trains to be traveling the directions they were. For whatever reason, which is still be investigated, the message relayed by the sensors on the track never made it to the control room. Officials state, however, that these computerized control rooms that operate automatically, for the most part, are actually safer than humans operating them and human error occurring more frequently. Most large cities and metropolitan areas operate their rail systems on similar programs and have yet to have such a catastrophe. These cities include Boston, San Francisco, Miami, and hopefully soon-to-be Charlotte. The systems are actually extremely safe and receive updates and maintenance regularly.

Riding the train not only saves you money but is more efficient and safer, in majority. People in society are actually more at risk when driving than a being involved in a train wreck. The only stipulation with riding the train is that, more often than not, when a crash does occur multiple people are usually hurt if not killed. One of these particular trains was notified of safety concerns in 2006, states MSNBC, but failed to follow through with compliance. If society is going to give up driving themselves and ride public transit, they need to have to utmost trust in the city with their safety. Studies show that a majority of the people who drive believe they are better than average drivers when in fact only a small percentage are even somewhat descent at the task. Therefore, like I previous stated, in order for people to put their lives in the hands of public transit they need to be one-hundred percent positive the city has taken every precautionary measure to ensure their safety and well-being; I am doubtful that a train is any safer than a car when it comes to wrecks. However, we must remember we can not hide from accidents all our lives and riding the train is better on our wallets and the environment.


Reference Used:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/25/automatic.system.washington.crash/index.html

Additional Reference:
http://articles.directorym.com/Train_Accidents_Maryland-r995-Maryland.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31495088/ns/us_news-life/