Would you put your child in a driverless school bus? In winter? (If you know what winter actually is..) Thought not. Too many variables, just like flying an airliner from Yellowknife to Inuvik. Ever flown from Norman Wells to Baker Lake? FYI: The entire world is not under ATC radar coverage.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) was originally designed to be driverless, or conductorless if you prefer, but the ridership demanded human beings up front after a very trouble prone start.
Most high-speed trains could easily be driverless, but are not. Japan, a tech-savvy nation if there ever was one, has demanded conductors be retained.
Yes, there are plenty of examples of conductorless subways, but there are far fewer variables on a closed track, weather protected tube than flying an airliner from Thompson to Churchill. Ever watch "Ice Pilots"?
Here are duties of a BART conductor (Train Operator):
Train operator duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Monitors console and radio communications to ensure that vehicles are operating within established guidelines;
Observes and detects problems with passengers entering and exiting train doors and takes corrective action; observes and detects hazards on the track, in the station or platforms, or the train itself, reports them to Operations Control Center personnel via radio, and take necessary corrective action;
Make announcements to passengers regarding station arrivals, transfer points, delays, and emergencies and answers passenger questions;
In yards, on test tracks, turntables and wash facilities, follows directions from Tower personnel and operates console to move trains as directed;
Takes prescribed action such as evacuating passengers, administer first aid, and using a fire extinguisher during emergencies;
Reports basic equipment malfunctions of mechanical or electrical nature to Operations Control Center; works with foreworkers and technicians to isolate reported problems;
Maintains logs of work activities; completes forms to report unusual circumstances and action taken;
Uses a variety of communication equipment, including a public address system, two‑way radios and emergency telephones;
Monitors and learns to apply changes in operating and emergency procedures;
Maintains and upgrades knowledge of policies and procedures as required.
Hmm... anyone considering driverless snowplows, (snowploughs), and sweepers on runways?