One of the last floppy disk factories finally modernizes its technology.
That was already enough... we're in 2024 and they're still using floppy disks.
The Automatic Train Control System (ATCS) of Muni Metro has plans for a significant upgrade that will modernize it considerably, leaving behind the current system that operates with 5.25-inch floppy disks. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has approved a $212 million contract to facilitate this transition, as part of a larger $700 million improvement project.
Hitachi Rail will be responsible for replacing the ATCS, which has been in operation since 1998 and combines automatic operations in the subway with manual operations on the surface. This upgrade involves implementing a system that will use Wi-Fi and cellular signals to accurately locate trains. Although the contract has already been approved by the SFMTA board, it still requires final approval from the Board of Supervisors.
Since 2018, the SFMTA has been seeking to transition to a diskless control system, with the goal of completing the modernization by 2028. However, the pandemic has delayed these plans, and the software for the floppy disks has become obsolete beyond its projected lifespan of 20 to 25 years. Hitachi Rail has also offered 20 years of support, establishing a new train control system based on communications.
The preliminary timeline estimates that this first phase of the project will be completed between 2027 and 2028, while the overall term of the plan could extend until 2034. Despite floppy disks seeming outdated, they are still used in sectors such as aviation and in certain medical equipment. Additionally, it is estimated that the floppy disk market will remain active for a few more years, according to legacy technology distributors.
