Will AI Replace Subway and Streetcar Operators?

Monitor lights indicating obstructions or other trains ahead and watch for car and truck traffic at crossings to stay alert to potential hazards.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Operate controls to open and close transit vehicle doors.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Drive and control rail-guided public transportation, such as subways, elevated trains, and electric-powered streetcars, trams, or trolleys, to transport passengers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Report delays, mechanical problems, and emergencies to supervisors or dispatchers, using radios.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Regulate vehicle speed and the time spent at each stop to maintain schedules.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Make announcements to passengers, such as notifications of upcoming stops or schedule delays.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Direct emergency evacuation procedures.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Complete reports, including shift summaries and incident or accident reports.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Greet passengers, provide information, and answer questions concerning fares, schedules, transfers, and routings.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Attend meetings on driver and passenger safety to learn ways in which job performance might be affected.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.