SERVANT OR MASTER?

Railroads are again at the forefront of applications of new electronic data processing technology. While minicomputer and microprocessor applications are growing at a faster rate than very large mainframe computer installations, a survey by AAR Data Systems Division shows that the number of midsize mainframes is actually declining. This indicates that railroads are turning from slower medium size computers to either large units with high capacity or to minis which can perform specialized tasks at slower speed and involving only limited capacity. Minis are applied in centralized traffic control, signaling and engineering design; microprocessors may be teamed with minicomputers in applications such as CTC. While the problem of rapid obsolescence of semiconductor devices is one which the industry is struggling with, the labor-saving potential promises continued growth in use of such devices.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07362064
• Corporate Authors:

  Cahners Publishing Company, Incorporated

  Watson Publications, 5 South Wabash Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60603
• Authors:
  • Mitchell, F S
• Publication Date: 1981-6

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 58-60
• Serial:
  • Modern Railroads/Rail Transit
  • Volume: 36
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Cahners Publishing Company, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0736-2064

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Centralized traffic control; Computer aided design; Computer graphics; Information processing; Mapping; Microprocessors; Minicomputers; Semiconductors; Signaling
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00335266
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 9 1981 12:00AM