Human Factors Engineering of Interfaces - Connecting Control Centres

Railway projects rarely exist in isolation. In some cases, communications are required between control centres, in others, the centres themselves are amalgamated. Even for metro systems, interfaces may exist between station-based systems and line control. In most cases, particularly with heavy rail, a new or upgraded railway system will connect to existing lines, built for different needs and with older technology. Inter-operability between old and new is critical in ensuring that trains run safely and without interruption across such interfaces, in providing efficient possessions and isolations for maintenance of the line. However, on completion, it is frequently found that the interface between control rooms does not function correctly, and control centre personnel struggle to operate an interface that seems ill-suited to their needs. At worst, re-work is undertaken, at great cost and disruption. The author of this paper highlights how railway control centre interfaces can be better designed for inter-operability, to manage maintenance more safely and efficiently, and to improve train running.