Comment on Someone should really develop this idea
ryathal@sh.itjust.works 1 week agoThe problem with train scheduling is that computers don’t just make it better. There’s a very real chance computers could make it worse or result in approximately the same outcome but not require millions in investment into a new system.
8oow3291d@feddit.dk 5 days ago
The humans are likely following an algorithm of approximation too. If programmed correctly, the computer would be able to try way more approximations using the same algorithm the humans use, and hence likely find a better solution.
It is of course possible to program a computer badly, so you get worse outcomes than the existing human method. But that is kinda besides the point.
ryathal@sh.itjust.works 5 days ago
It an investment return problem as much as a technical one. A computer could maybe reduce a team of 6 to a team of 2, saving optimistically 500k/year. The cost of building that system is likely at least ten million, putting a break even at 20 years minimum. When you factor in the costs of maintenance and running the program, it’s going to make it take even longer. Also because it’s not actually a solvable problem, you have to pick an accuracy level you are comfortable with, too low and you need too many people fixing things anyway, too high and people are cheaper.