Mind The Automatic Doors, Please
The new 09 stock on the Victoria line is a fully automated train with fully automated door opening and closing.
The PTI (platform-train interface) is already the most dangerous place on the Underground, and now LUL seems to want to make it even more dangerous. This will certainly lead to more unpleasant incidents involving passengers and doors, possibly some serious injuries or even deaths.
Judging the right moment to open and close doors is a job that used to be done by a guard, then was dumped on the driver. Then LUL had to introduce SATS to the platforms because in many places it was simply impossible to do it safely without this additional assistance (note: another example of different grades working together). Now they reckon they have an automated system that can do it better? We very much doubt it.
What's more, this new bright idea could threaten the jobs of both station staff and drivers. The Vic line has long been in the sights of management for moving towards 'NoPO' (No-Person-Operation), and now they seem to have taken a step forward. Stand by for a fightback.
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A case in point
On 21 October 1997, the automatic sensors failed to detect a young lad's coat toggle caught in the train doors, and the train dragged him to his death at Holborn.
While I am generally in favour of new technology, it seems to me that an extension of 'automatic' door operation, especially if accompanied by a cut in staff, will lead to more incidents like this.