Background:
Rapid advancements in train control
and in-cab technologies provide opportunities for rail operators to
improve efficiency and enhance operations. However, new
technologies are a significant form of risk. Neglect of human
factors issues can mean that new technologies have unintended
consequences in the work environment (particularly in the more
challenging situations) leading to either rejection by users or to
situations where the job is made more difficult rather than
easier.
Objective:
This project aims to fill that gap
by developing a toolkit of methods that human factors specialists
can use to evaluate new technologies before they are
implemented.
Project
scope:
The project seeks to assemble a
toolkit of methods by employing a three-stage process. Stage 1
identifies rail specific unintended consequences, stage 2 develops
indicators of unintended consequences and stage 3 evaluates current
and over-the-horizon methods of investigating both indicators of
unintended consequences and broader human factors design
issues.
Benefits
Developing such a toolkit of
methods has the potential to reduce the risk associated with
introducing new technologies. It is expected that the outputs of
this research will become an industry standard for the assessment
of new technologies.
Expected outcomes:
- Comprehensive description of the
unintended consequences that may occur in train control and in-cab
environments
- Database of behavioural and system
indicators of unintended consequences of new technology
development
- A toolkit of human factors methods
to evaluate new in-cab and train control technologies
Project timeframe
April 2008 - April 2011
Project chair
Geoffrey Featherstone, Queensland Rail
Project leader and contact details
Chris Bearman
Tel: (08) 8302 1969
Email: Chris.bearman@unisa.edu.au
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