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.
  More +
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  R9032/RR993
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8738/dot_8738_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 5.60 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Volpe Center ; Federal Railroad Administration
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:9000ead7a7d6f37cb171ebb0e5dc615b6c6c64d238b69977f00e3b7d6e96b529b828058d9c573c91fc6096e20f0d3a21473454e6aee3a12145a922b8d0e3465a