Visit our website
New America Cypbersecurity Initiative
New America Cypbersecurity Initiative
MIT Technology Review
MIT Technology Review
io9
io9
Techdirt
Techdirt
Knowledge@Wharton
Knowledge@Wharton
Bioscience Technology
Bioscience Technology
redOrbit
redOrbit
Technology & Marketing Law Blog
Technology & Marketing Law Blog
Popular Science Blog
Popular Science Blog
Pew Research Center
Pew Research Center
Genomics Law Report
Genomics Law Report
Science 2.0
Science 2.0
The Guardian Headquarters
The Guardian Headquarters
Genetic Literacy Project
Genetic Literacy Project
Disclaimer

Statements posted on this blog represent the views of individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Center for Law Science & Innovation (which does not take positions on policy issues) or of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law or Arizona State University.

Introducing: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

WCPGW

A NEW bLAWg FEATURE: WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

Courtesy of Joel Garreau

Fall foliage. A beautiful sight, but not for trains.  In fact, fallen leaves can accumulate and adhere to a train track like tarred feathers, resulting in a potentially dangerous situation — not to mention delays.  Commuters really dislike delays.   What to do?  How about annihilating leaves with lasers?  Laser-outfitted rail wheels take care of (think Tony Soprano)  compacted leaves before a train makes contact, thanks to Dutch Railways.  The lasers also act as blow-dryers — drying rails to prevent new leaves from adhering, increasing a train’s functionality.  So what could go wrong?  A train’s vibration could direct a laser’s attention elsewhere … but people are working on that issue, given the laser’s advantages over other options.  Read more here.