Abstract :
London Underground Limited (LUL) has a number of control systems utilising SCADA equipment. The scope of control of each system has evolved from single site supervision and control to entire line orientated SCADA systems. A programme of co-location of function has been pursued by LUL. The co-location of function has been carried out predominantly on a line by line basis, with the functions of signalling, communications, regulating the service and fault reporting and handling being amalgamated into one line service centre for each line. At present the functional areas are controlled by discrete SCADA systems. The SCADA systems which control the electrical power to the LUL underground network are located together at a single LUL electrical control centre, remote from the line service centres. Two initiatives are changing the whole philosophy of control of the LUL electrical power. The first is the Power Service Contract which has passed the management of the LUL electrical power distribution system to a private company, leaving traction and certain LV electrical supply management with LUL. The second initiative is the possible devolution of traction and LV control from the LUL electrical control centre to the line service centres. The concept of amalgamating the functional SCADA systems into one universal SCADA system has been considered. The changes associated with the initiatives are the catalyst for the paper. The co-ordination of the changes has meant that the way LUL manages the control and monitoring of operational aspects of running a railway has been scrutinised. The scrutiny has highlighted a number of issues pertinent to the interface of the SCADA equipment and the operator. The paper addresses the most significant of these issues
