Disney-bus computers distracting, critics say

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/04/disney-bus-computers-distracting-critics-say/

 

[seashoreCM]

Disney says drivers have ample time to input codes — typically the letter “J” followed by four numbers — while stopped at intersections or parking-lot entrances, noting the entire process takes only a few seconds.

Disney owns the roads in "the World" and its bus drivers should feel free to remain safely stopped and finish the inputting of the codes even if the light turns green a little sooner than expected. The entire process takes only a few seconds.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Realizing the article may be just written in a certain context, it is interesting to point out that the person interviewed that is having a problem with the new system is a 20 year veteran, while the person without issues has been there 5 years. You could imply a lot from this (assume too). I'll leave those many assumptions to others to point out, but at least on the surface you can say that in the two examples, if they were statistically significant (which they are not), may reinforce the idea that those coming into a position or have been there the least amount of time (regardless of age of the person), are often more adept at accepting change then those who have spent years doing the same thing.

 

[skiingfast]

I find the most interesting part of this too be how antiquated the system routing is. It's private and doesn't require tickets, the only demand of passengers are that it is fast and easy.

There is a lot of negative comment on my local bus system which is just a step behind disney's. It's odd because while mine is owned by the government it only has 10-15 vehicles and generates profit in most times.

Disney's is in comparison huge and they don't have it fully automated yet?

 

[Lewisc]

Distracted driving is an issue. Some places are passing laws which prohibit texting while driving. AFAIK there won't be an exception if the texting is done at a red light.

This system is basically requiring drivers to text.Not safe.

 

[cranbiz]

While I'm not crazy about the way the system works, it is not as big of a distraction as one may think. The boxes are programmed not to unlock for keyboard entry until you slow down to 10mph of less. Now if you do unlock the first screen , then you can enter stuff on the fly. In most places, a driver can prep the box for the dispatch code at a stop sign or traffic light. Going to Mk, I prep the box at the toll plaza when I stop at the booth. I'll hit route, route and enter the J and the box is ready for the code. That most times takes 10 seconds total To DTD I'll do it at the traffic light at BVD and Bonett Creek. Now I'm ready for when I get my dispatch, pop in 4 numbers and I'm good. It's how you use the tool provided, if used correctly, it is no more dangerous than turning on the headlights, windshield wipers, talking on the radio, etc.

IMHO, it is guests that can't wait until you arrive at your destination and must talk to the driver en route that are more distracting than the box.

One critic had suggested that things would be safer using dedicated routes, No, I definitely don't want to see permanent static routes. That makes for a very boring night and that could be a bigger safety hazard than the boxes. (try to stay alert driving the same route all night)

This is just the Orlando Sentinel digging up more dirt to sell newspapers.

 

[cranbiz]

I find the most interesting part of this too be how antiquated the system routing is. It's private and doesn't require tickets, the only demand of passengers are that it is fast and easy.

There is a lot of negative comment on my local bus system which is just a step behind disney's. It's odd because while mine is owned by the government it only has 10-15 vehicles and generates profit in most times.

Disney's is in comparison huge and they don't have it fully automated yet?

You can't go with low bid and expect it to work properly, can you?

The very problem is the fact that Disney IS huge and the system chosen is not very flexible. In fact, most cities that had chosen this system found the same issues and have abandoned it for something else. It absolutely will not interface with the timekeeping system, the interface with the CAD system is at marginal at best and there is still too much human intervention required to use the demand capacity routing that the system was supposed to handle. Plus the fact that the bean counters in Cali have pulled the financial plug on it for being sooo much over budget with so little results.

 

[skiingfast]

It seems that if Dinsey can get the parade floats to operate on thier own, it should be simple to get the buses routed automatically. I don't know why they spend so much time studying the problem and then complicate the path to the solution. They operate the cleanest bus sytem I've ever been on. Why can't it be the most effecient too?

 

[cranbiz]

Parade floats have operators. They are just tracked by RFID. They also run a short fixed route.

There is over 300 miles of roadway at WDW. You have 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, one (and a second one coming) shopping district and 20 resorts. You have thousands of possible route combination's. You have morning rush, park closings emergency closings, special runs, etc. You just cannot imagine the logistical nightmare there is. Then there is the scheduling of drivers, breaks, lunch, training, administrative items. Now add in maintenance. That is a whole other set of issues.

If one system could handle this and not break the budget, you would probably see it.The problem is that one system can't. We know, we tried. The executives in Anaheim pulled the plug on this as the costs have kept skyrocketing (we are at about 35 million) and we are no closer to a fully automated system now than we were when this process started.

Full automation also will take away from the ability to "Create Magic" for guests that we can do now if the circumstances allow for it.

If you look at the system overall, it is pretty efficient.

 

[skiingfast]

I'm not saying the buses should operate autonomously, I'm just saying the tracking system should. I don't know a lot about programming or controls, but enough to set up if I was paid to.

I think Disney needs to step back and decide what it wants to do and then figure out how to do it.