Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> On 10/12/2023 16:36, Recliner wrote:
>> Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>>> On 10/12/2023 10:59, Recliner wrote:
>>>> Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>>>>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>> It seems like an iPad/phone app with GPS would cover those with some degree
>>>>>>> of automation - it could flash up messages at particular points ('don't
>>>>>>> forget to switch to electric in 1 mile'), and handle the ticking off for you
>>>>>>> (unless the action of ticking off helps you remember things?). It would
>>>>>>> also be an independent record of events separate from the OTMR.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Presumably the app could also generate audio warnings, and require touch
>>>>>> confirmation if needed?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It could also transmit back to base.
>>>>>
>>>>> All possible. Depends how much you want it to be part of the safety system.
>>>>> (eg for the pilot apps they get a moving airport map to show which taxiway
>>>>> they're on, but it's simply an aid - they still have to look out the window
>>>>> and confirm)
>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The key here would be the iPad (or phone or whatever) goes around with
>>>>>>> you, rather than being something you leave in the cab.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Couldn't it remain in the cab? Drivers would log into it when they took
>>>>>> over.
>>>>>
>>>>> In the case of Anna's job sheet, it has things like which turn they're on
>>>>> next and when breaks finish. Presumably that information would be needed
>>>>> during layovers, especially for deadhead legs where they aren't in the cab.
>>>>>
>>>>> Although some combination of smartphone and in-cab tablet could work.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Yes, I was assuming that the info would also be delivered to a mobile
>>>> device carried by the driver, but the in-cab screen would be used while
>>>> actually at the controls. The full interactive, dynamic functionality would
>>>> only be in that application.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Can't help recalling the space race myth about the Americans spending
>>> millions of dollars developing a pen that could write in zero gravity,
>>> the Russians used a pencil.
>>>
>>
>> Apart from that myth being completely untrue, this is another example of
>> public sector inefficiency.
>
> If it is untrue how can it be an example of public sector inefficiency?

I'm obviously not talking about the pen/pencil.

> It's more an example of right-wing prejudice.
>
> A much bigger example is the NHS (allegedly the
>> last bastion of the fax and paper-heavy low productivity).
>>
>> Wes Streeting: NHS uses every winter crisis as an excuse for cash
>>
>> <https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d4bc9a11-ff3e-4cd6-880d-b8349642edbb?shareToken=e58c5fd3f8fdd2ce00e2f15d89d5c2a0>
>>
>
> So Streeting denies that more people use NHS services in winter then?
>

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>>> It seems like an iPad/phone app with GPS would cover those with some degree
>>> of automation - it could flash up messages at particular points ('don't
>>> forget to switch to electric in 1 mile'), and handle the ticking off for you
>>> (unless the action of ticking off helps you remember things?). It would
>>> also be an independent record of events separate from the OTMR.
>>
>> Presumably the app could also generate audio warnings, and require touch
>> confirmation if needed?
>>
>> It could also transmit back to base.
>
> All possible. Depends how much you want it to be part of the safety system.
> (eg for the pilot apps they get a moving airport map to show which taxiway
> they're on, but it's simply an aid - they still have to look out the window
> and confirm)
>
>>>
>>> The key here would be the iPad (or phone or whatever) goes around with
>>> you, rather than being something you leave in the cab.
>>
>> Couldn't it remain in the cab? Drivers would log into it when they took
>> over.
>
> In the case of Anna's job sheet, it has things like which turn they're on
> next and when breaks finish. Presumably that information would be needed
> during layovers, especially for deadhead legs where they aren't in the cab.
>
> Although some combination of smartphone and in-cab tablet could work.

An update:

Striking train drivers want extra pay for using tablets

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/32674735-3519-4e32-8db3-8271e99cb57c?shareToken=8b5163fbf09b344d9ea44864a4904c72