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Green Line to take another step into the 20th century with real-time tracking

The Walking Bostonian reports MBTA officials promised at a meeting Thursday to install the equipment and software needed for real-time tracking on the Green Line by 2015 - similar to the tracking that lets riders known when to run for a train on the other three subway lines.

H/t Boston Zest.

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They had a telegraphic tracking system for arriving railroad trains in depots during the 19th century. Isn't progress great?

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The blog post and the uhub headline are not at all what was said at the meeting. Here's a paraphrase of the exchange:
Sen. Brownsberger: Is it reasonable to expect the MBTA to install a real time tracking system on the green line in the next three years?
MBTA: Yes, that is reasonable.

Later in the meeting, the MBTA said the real-time system was being designed but not funded. They are waiting for additional funding to implement it. This sounds hopeful until you realize that they had the same answer to questions about the red-blue connector and the urban ring.

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The T spokesman was running a presentation when the laptop froze halfway through and they were unable to continue. However, they distributed a copy of the slides as a print-out and it is the same information. I will scan my copy when I get a chance. Near the end is this slide:

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Light Rail - Upcoming Improvements

[diagram of trolley over AVI and using GPS to contact satellite]

Green Line Tracking

Combination GPS and transponder solution - $15 million - planned 2015

--------------------------------------------------------------------

When the subject was brought up, on at least 3 separate occasions (including the exchange you quoted), the spokesman said (and I paraphrase) yes, this will address real-time tracking - just like the other lines.

I know T promises aren't worth much, but the intention was pretty clear to me.

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T Promises are low value, but since Davey took over (then promoted) I have to give credit that now giving are signs of hope.

It's a long road to re-earn our trust, if ever. But this is how as long they keep it up.

Now keep it up, MBTA.

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IMAGE(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gu26Os5yF7Q/UP7y89yhs8I/AAAAAAAAAg8/UquZm_FMvQ0/s400/tracking2015.jpg)

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If I'd made it to the meeting, I would have suggested they get rid of the always-stop signals in the central subway.

There are a whole lot of signals which are always red, and only turn green after the train gets there and stops, even if there isn't another train ahead. They installed them to enforce speed limits before curves and stations.

It's a big waste of electricity and time, as well as uncomfortable for passengers. If the train can safely go 10 mph, they need to find a way to enforce that, not make the train go 30 to 0 to 10.

Also, in addition to the aforementioned traffic light priority, the other thing the Green Line desperately needs is a revamped fare collection system on the surface.

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