HUMAN FACTORS OF

RAILWAY SYSTEMSElaine Thompson,

Principal Human Factors Engineer

What is Human Factors

Integration?

How can we demonstrate the

Return on Investment?

Case studiesTraffic Management System

ETCS cab fitment

QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONWhat does HF need to

succeed in

engineering

projects?

AGENDA

HF IN SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROJECTS

‘Ensure ‘user issues’ are considered in a systematic way throughout the design lifecycle.. through correct and timely application of appropriate ergonomic techniques and practices’

Considerable progress over last 10 years

Generally accepted as necessary element of engineering projects

LU and NR standards and guidance have promoted HF

Effective HF integration can be difficult to achieve

Learn from projects to understand how we can move forward

What are the enablers to successful HF integration?

WHAT IS HUMAN FACTORS INTEGRATION?

BARRIERS TO HF INTEGRATION

External barriers

No involvement at critical

points in decision making

Status of HF on the project

Lack of cross-discipline

project integration

Poor consideration of end-

user views

BARRIERS TO HF INTEGRATION

Internal barriers

Poor HF Integration Plan

Outputs that fail to influence

MAKE THE BUSINESS CASE FOR HF

Benefits of HF difficult to quantify

– Achieving performance benefit as a result of people and

systems operating effectively

– Eliminating or avoiding the cost of re-design or re-work

ALARM HANDLING STRATEGY

Poor alarm strategy:

• Cost of additional staff = £40K

• Cost of system redesign = £205K

• HF input at redesign = £70K

• Total = £315K

OR

• Alarm strategy = £70K

ROI = (Avoided Expenditure - Cost of Investment)

Cost of Investment

ROI = (£315K - £70K)

£70K

ROI = 3.5 - Would have to spend 3.5 times more to rectify the

design

But also…

Loss of reputation

Time delay

Loss of service performance

MAKING THE BUSINESS CASE FOR HF

WHAT DOES HF NEED TO SUCCEED?

1. Aligned with engineering lifecycle and informed of

operational constraints of the project

Stage 1

Output Definition

Stage 2

Pre-feasibility

Stage 3

Option Selection

Stage 4

Single Option

Development

Stage 5

Detailed Design

Stage 6

Construction,

Testing &

Commissioning

Stage 7

Scheme

Handback

Stage 8

Project Close

Out

Define HF requirements and scope.

Provide input to high level operational

strategy documents

Initial HF

assessment of

designs to inform

selection of

options

Detailed HF assessment incl. workload

analysis, room and workstation

specifications, signalling and telecoms HMI

reviews, alarm assessments and end-user

consultations.

HF advice and

assessment on

installation and

procurement

Provide assurance that HF project

requirements have been addressed and

met

DEMONSTRATING THE BENEFIT

2. Closely integrated with Engineering

3. Closely integrated with Operations

DEMONSTRATING THE BENEFIT

4. Employ a pragmatic approach

5. Deliver tangible outputs that can be readily

transferred into design

6. Demonstrate the Return on Investment

CASE STUDIES

TRAFFIC

MANAGEMENT

SYSTEM

ETCS CAB FITMENT

HF IN TRAFFIC

MANAGEMENT

Supported development of ops

concept for roles &

responsibilities

Considering changes from

‘current’ to ‘future’ roles

Usability assessments & HMI

development

Desk layout for testing

http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/signalling/hitachi-wins-thameslink-traffic-management-contract.html

INTEGRATION OF ETCS IN EXISTING TRAIN

CABS RSSB study

ATOC cab design guidance

Support to National Joint Rolling Stock

Programme evaluation of tenders

SYSTEM INTEGRATION CHALLENGES

ETCS DMI and Class B integration

System Reliability

Cab environment

Display technology

Position & reach

Train protection &

safety

CONSIDERATIONS FOR FITMENT

The main issues relating to the fitment of ETCS Driver

Machine Interface (DMI) in rolling stock;

–Design and level of integration of existing Class B

systems within the train cab with the DMI

–Appropriate technology for the DMI screen that

optimises the train cab environment and train driver

performance

–Choice of DMI interface - touch screen or soft key

–Transitions between train control systems or levels –

workload and potential for human error

WHAT SUCCESSFUL HF INTEGRATION

LOOKS LIKE

By applying good practice in HF

integration, projects can deliver systems

that are capable of a high level of safe

and sustainable performance from the

outset. This is of benefit to London

Underground and suppliers because it

maximises the potential for first time

acceptance of delivered systems.

LUL S1217 A2 Integration of HF into Systems Development, May 2013

USING OUR

www.mottmac.com

INGENUITYTO CREATE

LASTING VALUE

FOR ALL