Understanding how train dispatchers manage and control trains : results of a cognitive task analysis

Details

• Creators:
  Roth, Emilie M. ; Malsch, N.
• Corporate Creators:
  John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Auditory Warning Community Noise Impact Highway-railroad Grade Crossings Safety Trainhorn Warning Device Wayside Horn
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT-VNTSC-FRA-99-X ; DOT/FRA/ORD-99/XX
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final Report April 1998- December 1998
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
• Abstract:
  This report documents the results of a preliminary Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) that examined how experienced train dispatchers manage and
  
  schedule trains in today's environment The objective was to understand the cognitive demands placed on train dispatchers and the strategies
  
  that experienced dispatchers have developed in response to those demands, as an input to guide development and design ofdigital
  
  communication systems and advanced information displays. A hybrid methodology was used that combined field observations at two train
  
  dispatch centers (one that primarily handles passenger trains and one that primarily handles freight trains) with structured interviews of
  
  experienced train dispatchers.
  
  The results reveal that dispatching is a cognitively demanding task. Dispatchers have developed a variety of strategies that smooth the way for
  
  trains to pass through territories safely and efficiently and satisfy the multiple demands placed on track use. These include techniques to: off
  
  load memory requirements; extract information about train movement and track activity to support anticipation and planning; take advantage of
  
  windows of opportunity to satisfy the multiple demands placed on track use; and level workload. Many of these strategies depend heavily on
  
  communication and coordination among individuals distributed across time and space.
  
  
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  R9032/RR993
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center Federal Railroad Administration
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9000ead7a7d6f37cb171ebb0e5dc615b6c6c64d238b69977f00e3b7d6e96b529b828058d9c573c91fc6096e20f0d3a21473454e6aee3a12145a922b8d0e3465a
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8738/dot_8738_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 5.60 MB ]