San Francisco's Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is looking to bid farewell to their outdated reliance on 5¼-inch floppy disks, which have been crucial in running the Muni Metro light rail system since 1998. The SFMTA anticipates that a complete overhaul of their Automatic Train Control System (ATCS), including the abandonment of floppy disks, will take until 2030, following an unexpected delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a recent interview with ABC7 Bay Area News, SFMTA officials disclosed that three 5¼-inch floppy disks are used each morning to load the central servers' software. The ATCS, a vital component of Muni Metro operations, connects train onboard computers to propulsion and brake systems, central and local servers, and communication infrastructure through loop cable signal wires. Once a train enters the subway, it establishes a connection with the ATCS and operates in automatic mode until it exits, at which point it switches to manual control.

SFMTA spokesperson Michael Roccaforte explained that plans for a comprehensive ATCS overhaul began in 2018, with the aim of moving away from floppy disks. The project was projected to take around a decade from its inception. However, due to an 18-month hiatus caused by the pandemic, completion is now expected between 2029 and 2030. SFMTA plans to finalize a contractor by early 2025 and provide a detailed timeline for the project.

The SFMTA aims to achieve a unified train control system for their entire rail network, according to Jeffrey Tumlin, SFMTA's director of transportation. While some argue that the current floppy-disk-reliant system is functional and thus does not require immediate replacement, SFMTA has been addressing the challenges and limitations associated with outdated technology for several years.

The transportation agency points out that the train control system was designed to last for 20 to 25 years, surpassing its expected lifespan in 2023. In 2020, the Muni Reliability Working Group, comprised of local and national transit experts, recommended replacing the transit control system within five to seven years. Tumlin stressed that the urgency to upgrade stems from the increasing risks associated with relying on aging floppy disks, which can lead to catastrophic failures due to data degradation.

Previously, SFMTA highlighted the growing difficulty and expense of maintaining the outdated system over time. It also expressed the challenges in finding skilled workers proficient in programming languages from the 1990s, which are required to operate the current system effectively.

The ambitious upgrade project is expected to not only improve the reliability and efficiency of Muni Metro but also reduce the agency's dependence on outdated technology. SFMTA's commitment to modernizing their train control system reflects their dedication to ensuring the safety and convenience of San Francisco's commuters.