Busy World

I was a huge band nerd at Liberal High School.  One of the most important things my band teacher instilled was, "early is on time, on time is too late, and late is unacceptable."  If you were to invite my grandmother to your house at 12:00 pm, I can guarantee you that she will be there at 11:30 am.  That is just the way her discipline in punctuality is.  I tend to believe that it gives her time to spend special time with her family before others come but I believe it is mostly out of discipline.

In class for the bus side of driving, one important thing that our instructor said was, "If you have to be somewhere, are you going to take the bus that barely gets you there or the one before?"  In the transit system, you can expect hiccups - things that happen.  A belt could break on an engine or a tire could blow.  Maybe, there could be an accident.  Whatever the case may be, prepare yourself for delays.  While buses and trains make every effort to be at your stop or station on time, anything could happen.  

The Light Rail operators that are in service in a day are governed be "Control".  Control uses a system known as SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition).  This allows them to see the big picture. Not only do they monitor the cameras as mentioned in Smile, You Are On Camera but they also monitor every rail alignment in Denver with this system.  This software keeps track of every switch, signal, LRV, and power station.  It lets them know where every train is and also makes aware problems that may arise. What Control sees is the big picture.

Buses can easily pass each other if one is running late but if something happens to a train, every train on that alignment is affected.  Control has the ability to use SCADA to help solve the problem of how to get the train out of the way.  They do what they can to keep the system flowing smoothly.

Driving trains, I have had to learn that I am not being a jerk when I have to lock out the doors to keep the train moving on time.  LRV operators are trained to open the doors and leave them on "release".  This allows the doors to shut still providing passengers the opportunity to open them.  On the outside of the Siemens, a button will light up on the door to allow you to push it and open the door.  If that button is not lit up, the doors are locked out.  On the inside, a button will light up with the message, "Doors are on Release."  If that is not lit up, then the doors are not on release.  

Also, on the doors of the Siemens are some safety features:  

1) The doors have sensors - Once you pass through the door, it immediately opens back up.

2) The doors have "sensitivity" - If the doors are nearly closed and there is an obstruction, the doors will open back up.

These features are great but your power to use them as a passenger can affect the schedule of a train.  The doors take some time to close.  Each second spent on the doors closing is a second lost that the train operator has to figure out how to get back.  Each second lost that affects the scheduling of one train, as previously mentioned, affects other trains on the alignment.  If Control then has to problem solve how to keep all those trains on time, it takes away their time from solving another issue that might occur in the system.  

In order to avoid this, it is best to be at your train or bus at least 5 minutes early.  Departure times are simply what they are - times by which a vehicle leaves.  Many operators are generous and patient but can you imagine a plane waiting for you at the terminal?  Or maybe Amtrak or Greyhound?  If it is the companies' fault, via incorrect information, they will handle the issue. Other than that, they will not wait.  

Every one of us is a piece of something bigger, just like the system in SCADA.  Without the waiter, the construction worker would not have somebody to serve them their sandwich.  If there were no chef, there would be no food.  However big or small you think your job is, it is very important. Just your piece in the economy holds something else together.  By simply being on time to work, let alone at work at all, you have held your piece.  

If you are on time to your bus stop or train station, you have just helped hundreds of other people who were punctual to their stop reach their destination on time.  By simply being on time, you have kept from the anxiety of getting to your own destination, the anxiety of others, and you have kept the driver relaxed.  When your driver is not tense, it makes for a much smoother ride.  Keep your ride smooth.  With your help, a busy world that always moves doesn't have to be so hectic.  Be a helpful rider, try to see the bigger picture, and always have safe travels!