Editing 3105: Interoperability

{{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.}}

[[Black Hat]] gives a presentation regarding the existence of two standards: rail systems predominantly use the {{w|Standard-gauge railway|standard gauge}} of 143.5cm (or the virtually identical 4 ft 8½ in, in the US), and associated {{w|Rapid transit|subway systems}} and their cars are built to match this standard. Meanwhile 'many' {{w|roller coaster}} tracks, and their cars, are said to use a 110cm gauge. The two standards are not compatible, without {{w|Dual gauge|some additional engineering}}; subway cars could not travel on roller coaster tracks, and vice versa, even assuming you solved {{w|List of steepest gradients on adhesion railways|other issues}}.

However, Black Hat has professed to make changes to roller coasters such that they now conform to the subway standard (i.e. 143.5cm gauge). This seemingly is Phase One of a plan, and while no details of Phase Two are forthcoming, it may superficially allow subway cars to ride on roller coaster tracks ''and/or'' roller coaster cars to ride through subway systems, apparently in the name of {{w|interoperability}} and compatibility. This would have the advantage of letting many more people ride a roller coaster at the same time and granting subways easier access to additional {{w|rolling stock}}. However, the lack of interoperability in this case is by design, since if a railroad and a roller coaster track were ever to be accidentally connected, cars routed to the other system would simply derail.

[[Cueball]] and [[Hairbun]] are the apparently unwitting audience to Black Hat's presentation, and one of them (from off-panel) objects by stating that interoperability isn't ''necessarily'' a good thing, recognising where the plan is heading. Black Hat suggests that it would be fine as long as passengers of such interoperable systems listened to the destination announcement, indicating that he does indeed plan to connect the two which may lead to various unexpected surprises.

The title text confirms that ''both'' reapplications of railcars are being used: There are commuters who find themselves traveling upon a coaster, who may not reach their intended destination or suffer unexpected {{w|g-force}}, and there are roller coaster riders who find themselves traveling down a subway line, a much longer and more boring ride. Furthermore, those expecting to experience a theme park ride were probably ''expecting'' exciting g-forces, and also to shortly return to no more than a short walk away from where they initially boarded, but find themselves outside the theme park, spending hours on an intercity line. Also, a subway line would also not usually be expected to travel between cities, but at least the interoperability of subway rail and wider rail systems ''might'' be expected, so long as the {{w|Third rail|appropriate infrastructure}} and track links can be made compatible. The roller coaster cars may also {{w|Physics of roller coasters#Energy|come to a stop}} if 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.

==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 roller coaster 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]]