The automatic train control problem

Frank J. Sprague: I wish to refer to the tests which have been going on on the New York Central Railroad since the 20th day of February, a year ago, on so-called automatic train control. What is the object sought in train control? Simply to marry together the traffic conditions which exist on a railroad, no matter how indicated or governed, whether by manual signals or by automatic signals, with the braking system of a train in such manner as to insure the complete protection of that train movement, the reinforcement of any wayside indications, the amplification of those indications in the cab of the engine, or their replacement, without encroaching upon the prerogatives of the engineer when properly exercised, and without limiting the capacity of the railroad operation.