3105: Interoperability

2025-06-20T21:29:12Z

2603:8000:5E00:2913:6C77:1336:C7B7:C9ED: /* Transcript */ cats

{{comic
| number = 3105
| date = June 20, 2025
| title = Interoperability
| image = interoperability_2x.png
| imagesize = 740x269px
| noexpand = true
| titletext = We're getting a lot of complaints from commuters who were routed onto a coaster, but the theme park patrons who spent hours stuck on an intercity line are also not happy.
}}

==Explanation==
{{incomplete|This page was created by a LOST ROLLER COASTER RIDER. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}

Here we have two standards: subway rails have a 143.5cm gauge (in this instance), and subway cars are built to match this standard. Meanwhile roller coaster tracks have a 110cm gauge (also in this instance) and roller coaster cars also match this standard. The two standards are not compatible: subway cars cannot interoperate with roller coaster tracks, and vice versa. What Black Hat has done is made changes to roller coasters such that they conform to the subway standard (i.e. 143.5cm gauge). This would then allow subway cars to ride on roller coaster tracks, which is presumably phase 2 of Black Hat's plan. Cueball or Hairbun (they're off-panel) object by stating that allowing subway cars to ride on roller coaster tracks would not be useful, and could lead to issues as commuters find themselves in a different environment to what they expected (e.g. unexpected G-forces). Black Hat suggests that it would be fine as long as they listened to the destination announcement, presumably indicating where the subway ends and the roller coaster begins. There's also the possibility that the subway cars themselves are not built for roller coaster conditions (e.g. cannot withstand speed or G-forces, too big, unbalanced, etc.). To add to this, presumably Black Hat's company plans to quietly connect the two, leading to unexpected surprises.

The title text refers to another possibility that interoperability between the two standards allow: roller coaster cars on subway tracks. This would also lead to issues as the expected thrill from the roller coaster's G-forces is absent, replaced by an uneventful commute through the city. Another possible result is that the roller coaster cars will come to a stop (in the case of lifthill coasters, where the cars aren't self-propelled), which may lead to the patrons being unable to leave the cars safely and will lead to the blockage of the route.

There are instances where interoperability between different rail gauges is desired. Some train cars can operate on multiple gauges.

==Transcript==
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}
: [A close-up shot of Black Hat from the shoulders up]
: Black Hat: Compatibility and interoperability are so important.

: [A zoom out reveals that Black Hat is standing in front of and pointing at a diagram showing a commuter subway car and a rollercoaster car, and the tracks they both run on. Standing next to him are Cueball and Hairbun]
: Black Hat: For example, most subway rails are 143.5 cm apart. But many roller coasters use a narrower 110 cm gauge.

: [This panel shows only Black Hat]
: Black Hat: For the last few years, our company has been quietly retrofitting roller coasters to use 143.5 cm tracks.

: [Black Hat now has his fists raised]
: Black Hat: Soon, we can begin phase 2.
: Voice from off-panel: Maybe interoperability is actually bad.
: Black Hat: If you listen to the destination announcement while boarding, you'll be fine.
{{comic discussion}}<noinclude>
[[Category: Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Black Hat]]
[[Category: Comics featuring Hairbun]]

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3105: Interoperability