The U.S. lags far behind on using driverless trains, but new projects could open the floodgates

Key Points:

• Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles are advancing plans for fully automated subway lines, joining Honolulu, which already operates the largest automated transit system in the U.S.; these projects face financial, technical, and safety challenges.
• Automation in U.S. transit has been slow to develop, partly due to a fatal 2009 crash on Washington’s Metro Red Line linked to automated signaling failures, which stalled progress for years despite recent restoration of some automated features.
• Supporters argue automation is overdue in the U.S., pointing to safer, more efficient systems worldwide, while critics, including unions, warn of safety risks and potential disasters during emergencies without onboard operators.
• Honolulu’s Skyline automated metro boasts an unblemished safety record since opening three years ago, highlighting the potential benefits of fully automated systems when properly managed and maintained.
• Los Angeles is conducting an environmental review for a new automated subway line beneath the Santa Monica Mountains, aiming to reduce severe traffic congestion with shorter, more frequent trains and enhanced safety features like platform doors.