Course: Application of Unmanned Systems
Introduction
Mankind spent centuries designing transportation systems directly operated and monitored by humans. From modest beginning such as the human and palanquin system, the human and camel system, and the chariot, human transportation systems have evolved to luxury cars, jet aircraft and bullet trains. This progress was rendered possible by the industrial revolution and the tremendous advancement in technology, engineering, and computerized control systems. Humans factors, vehicle development and lifecycle costs and system efficiency have led to the design of unmanned transportation vehicles. We are at the dawn of the rise of unmanned systems in human societies. A testimony to this development in the transportation industry is the Bombardier Innovia APM 300. It is essentially an autonomous train designed to transport humans within metropolises (Bombardier, 2020). The successful implementation of unmanned systems within human societies present ethical and legal challenges. How has ethical and legal factors been addressed throughout the implementation of the Bombardier Innovia APM 300 within global metropolises?
Bombardier and City officials have been using a system integration approach to the implementation of the Innovia APM 300 within cities and airports. It has included analyzing, evaluating, and designing solutions on par with global environmental requirements, transportation vehicle regulations, safety standards, ethics, and privacy laws (Bombardier 2019). In a response to a request for information from the city of San Jose, CA pertaining to an implementation of the Bombardier Innovia APM 300, Bombardier highlights compliance to urban transit safety standards, emergency evacuation walkways, Inter-car walk-through for free passenger flow and enhanced passenger safety, detrainment doors for rapid evacuation from train to track and a support system for the maintenance of fleet safety (Bombardier, 2019).
Discussion
The Bombardier Innovia APM 300 is an autonomous train system which is characterized by an empty-weight of 15500 kg and a capacity of 103 passengers per vehicle. Its maximum speed is reported as 80 km/hr. and its energy consumption data indicate a rate of 2.56 Kilowatts hours per kilometer (Bombardier, 2012). It is 98% recoverable and 95% recyclable. The Innovia APM 300 is equipped with rubber tires to mitigate noise and vibrations. It was designed with a minimum environmental impact as an objective. Bombardier reports that greenhouse emissions are as low as 14 g of dioxide of carbon when allocated to one passenger travelling for one kilometer (Bombardier, 2012).
The Bombardier Innovia APM 300 is in full compliance with the Automated People Mover Standards ASCE 21 (Bombardier, 2012). This standard defines requirements for multiple sub-systems, components, and parts. It includes safety requirements, system monitoring requirements, emergency preparedness requirements and guideway requirements (ASCE, 2013). The Innovia APM 300 also adheres to the NFPA 130 which is the standard for fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems (Leder, 2013).
The Innovia APM 300 is equipped with advanced safety features and technology. Audio, video and data communication between vehicles and wayside is achieved through a Voice-Over-IP operational radio system. Its sub-systems include health monitoring and predictive maintenance systems (Schnur & Lewis 2013). The integration of the Innovia APM 300 within metropolises is highlighted by compliance to global urban transit safety standards, the development of emergency evacuation walkways and the evaluation of other vehicle systems such as the Innovia 300 monorail and the Movia Metro for the purpose of implementing advanced safety features such as Inter-car walk-through for free passenger flow and enhanced passenger safety, detrainment doors for rapid evacuation from train to track and a support system for the maintenance of fleet safety (Bombardier, 2019)
Recommendation
An evaluation of the approach to ethics and legal issues in implementing unmanned system within human environment requires a matrix analysis of the systems compliance to established safety standards and regulations as well as the systems compliance to established design and operations requirements. By minimizing greenhouse emissions in the design phase of the vehicle, a significant step is taken toward mitigating legal issues pertaining to environmental impact when implementing this unmanned systems technology within human metropolises (Bombardier, 2012). Compliance to the Automated People Mover Standards (ASCE) ensure the Innovia APM 300 meet defined safety requirements and is equipped with a subsystem and technologies to prevent a loss of system control. An adherence to ASCE specifications for guideways and emergency preparedness means that the APM 300 is equipped with back-up and emergency systems that specifically counter scenarios that may lead to a loss of control. In the alternative, the system is equipped with features to mitigate and minimize adverse occurrences (ASCE, 2013). Similarly, system safety is further ensured through compliance to NFPA 130 which is the standard for fixed guideway transit and passenger rail systems.
Ethical and legal issues pertaining to the implementation of unmanned system within human environment shall be evaluated with respect to the ethics and regulations laws define for research with human subjects. They specify the need for a review by a board which approves activities based on criteria such as safety, consent, minimization of risks and equal selection (Resnik & Elliot, 2018). These principles are reflected in global urban transit safety standards. Issues pertaining to privacy are addressed through information and disclaimers given to customers through the purchase of ride tickets and instructions provided by system monitors before the rides. Intrusion protection and detection systems are required by ASCE Standards. By adhering to this requirement, the Innovia APM 300 complies with legal stipulations pertaining to the protection of consumers’ privacy.
Conclusion
The Bombardier Innovia AMP 300 is an autonomous train which has been implemented as a transport system within multiple global metropolises. A review of ethical and legal factors in the implementation of the unmanned transport vehicle within multiple cities requires a matrix analysis of compliance to standards, requirements and policies defined by automated people movers’ regulatory agencies and global urban transit safety standards. By minimizing greenhouse emissions in the design phase of the vehicle, a significant step is taken toward mitigating legal issues pertaining to environmental impact when implementing this unmanned systems technology within human metropolises (Bombardier, 2012). Compliance to the Automated People Mover Standards (ASCE) ensure the Innovia APM 300 meet defined safety requirements and is equipped with a subsystem and technologies to prevent a loss of system control. Issues pertaining to privacy are addressed through intrusion protection and detection systems as well as information and disclaimers given to customers through the purchase of ride tickets and instructions provided before the rides. Intrusion protection and detection systems are required by the ASCE. A review of the implementation of the Bombardier Innovia APM 300 within global cities indicate that ethical and legal concerns are addressed through a compliance to safety standards, engineering requirements and legal regulations defined and specified by global cities, engineering associations and official global regulatory organizations.
References
Bombardier. (2019). Response to City of San Jose RFI 2019-DOT-PPD-4/ New Transit Options:
Airport-Diridon-Stevens Creek Transit Connection. Retrieved from
Bombardier. (2020). People Mover. Retrieved from
Bombardier. (2012, October 12). Innovia APM 300. Retrieved from
documents/Sustainability/Reports/BT/Bombardier-Transportation-EPD-INNOVIA-APM-
300-en.pdf
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). (2013). Automated people mover Standards
(ANSI/ASCE/T&DI 21-13 ed.). Reston, Virginia: American Society of Civil Engineers.
doi:10.1061/9780784412985
Leder, W. H. (2013). Automated people movers and transit systems 2013 : Half a century of
automated transit - past, present, and future. ProQuest Ebook Central. Retrieved from
Schnur, L., Lewis, K. (2013). Evolution of a new generation of automated transit systems:
INNOVIA APM 300. (pp. 469-480) doi:10.1061/9780784412862.038
Resnik, D. B., & Elliott, K. C. (2018). Using Drones to Study Human Beings: Ethical and
Regulatory Issues. Science and Engineering Ethics, 25(3), 707-718. doi:10.1007/s11948-
018-0032-6
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