Driverless trains gain momentum as U.S. cities weigh automation costs

[New driverless Metro Line 6 train undergoing clearance tests at Lucero station in Madrid, Spain, at night] Javier Paredes Perez/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Major U.S. transit systems are considering replacing human train operators with automated technology, potentially opening new opportunities for transportation equipment suppliers while raising questions about safety, labor costs and infrastructure spending. Washington, D.C., is advancing plans to automate its Metro Red Line, while Los Angeles is evaluating a driverless subway beneath the Santa Monica Mountains, the Associated Press reported. Honolulu already operates an automated elevated rail system, putting it ahead of most major American cities.