JR turning to AI to combat problems with snow

Maybe just build a better Rail Plow.

All of these years with trains and bullet trains in Japan, like as if heavy snow is something new that just now they are addressing it? JR has up in the billions of surplus cash to have addressed this many many years ago. Aside an old fashioned plow, what can programmed intelligence find out that hasn't been looked at by real human minds who developed the program and make adjustments to it made by humans.

 Aside an old fashioned plow, what can programmed intelligence find out that hasn't been looked at by real human minds who developed the program and make adjustments to it made by humans.

Predict the weather perhaps? Really I agree, it's just JR trying to make themselves "look better" here!

You don’t need AI just a good spreadsheet or seriously just make three phone calls

Now perhaps they can invest in actual barrier free stations with elevators to accomodate disdabled passengers and trains that accomodate more than 1 wheel chair.

I've only done it a couple of times, but it's magical to be on a train running in snow that's deep enough to hide the rails. It looks like it is floating.

I look at weather forecasts on a site called Meteoblue and they are very accurate for my town.

"ow perhaps they can invest in actual barrier free stations with elevators to accomodate disdabled passengers and trains that accomodate more than 1 wheel chair."

and double the cost of ticket tot pay for it, and widen the platform space for the new bigger elevators, which in turn would require more land. All for what? So two people in wheelchairs can ride up to platform together, instead of just waiting one minute longer?

"A.I." to measure and assess infrastructure weather patters? You have GOT to be kidding me! This is a disaster waiting to take place once a virus or power surge of great magnitude occurs. Then what...?! With the velocity these transport devices generate, JR railway firms will imply is wasn't human error and, therefore, the lost and casualty count is justifiable. Don't know about you guys, but that ends my joy ride on bullet trains!

I find it hilarious. Posts from westerners advising Japan Rail how to run the trains! Japan have absolutely smashed it in terms of the future of the rail business. The rest of the world can hang its head in shame.

@tigertd, your right, we the UK can't deal with a few leafs, let allow 1.5 meters of snow, the trains are very rarely on time, staffs attitude is not good, pricing is so variable you need to be a maths professor to understand it, and our so called high speed train is from the 1980,s hs125 what a joke the UK is and dont mention the HS2.

Here in the UK we grind to a halt with 2 inches of snow

All of these years with trains and bullet trains in Japan, like as if heavy snow is something new that just now they are addressing it? JR has up in the billions of surplus cash to have addressed this many many years ago. Aside an old fashioned plow, what can programmed intelligence find out that hasn't been looked at by real human minds who developed the program and make adjustments to it made by humans.

I'm reminded of the time I was stranded at a station in Chiba due to a snow storm. We were informed trains were coming but they had to get the snow off the tracks at the station that had built up due to the wind. The station employee came out with a BROOM to get the snow off. This wasn't very effective as the snow bank was a few feet high. Some passengers had to jump down and help with their hands. The station didn't even have a snow shovel! Spend a couple thousand yen and you've got at least SOMETHING for the situation.

I find it hilarious. Posts from westerners advising Japan Rail how to run the trains! Japan have absolutely smashed it in terms of the future of the rail business. The rest of the world can hang its head in shame.

Yes, I'm sure the JR operators mentioned in the article can't wait to review the advice from the armchair experts commenting here.

What we need are flame-throwers attached to the front of trains. More cost effective than A.I. , I dare say.