LANDOVER, Md. (DC News Now) — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is planning to return to self-piloting trains, 15 years after automated trains were turned off in the wake of a deadly crash on the Red Line. Metro passenger Khayanna Smith from Landover said she is glad officials want to make improvements for safety. “It makes me feel happy that they are trying to improve our safety and they are letting us know they are caring about us,” Smith said. Students at Suitland Elementary to receive new shoes in ‘Soles4TheDistrict’ event Metro officials said automated rides should lead to smoother rides and fewer delays. Automated train operations, used by most major metro systems, are generally safer than manual train driving. Train passenger Darnell Gambill from D.C. shared his opinion on the potential changes. “I feel that with them going back to the automated system that gives them a chance to make another mistake. But with humans driving it I think it gives us a better chance to be safe I think,” Gambill said. Investigations concluded that automatic train operation was not to blame for the 2009 collision on the Red Line that killed nine people and injured many others. Another element of the computerized system had failed, leading to the crash. If approved by safety regulators, the shift will begin in December and is expected to be completed by the end of the summer next year.