Washington DC officials advance plan for automated subway trains

Washington DC officials recently advanced a plan that could allow computers to fully control one of its subway lines, specifically the Metro Red Line, according to WTOP.

This move is part of a broader trend in the U.S. where transit systems are weighing the shift to driverless trains, despite ongoing debates about safety and the high upfront costs involved.

While automated vehicles like robotaxis have become more common on roads, most mass transit systems in the U.S. still require a human operator on board. Cities such as Honolulu already operate fully automated elevated train lines, and Los Angeles is planning a new underground automated line through the Santa Monica Mountains.

Supporters of transit automation argue that American cities lag behind many global systems in Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia, South America, and the Middle East that run unattended subways or buses. They also point out that fixed-rail systems are easier to automate than on-road vehicles, which face more obstacles.

Washington's Metro trains originally had some automated features when the system opened 50 years ago, but these were disabled after a fatal crash in 2009 and only recently restored over the past two years. The renewed push for automation comes as officials seek long-term labor cost savings and improved efficiency.