Applying Human Factors Design Considerations to an Urban Transit Operations Control Center

摘要

Booz·Allen & Hamilton recently conducted a state-of-technology review of numerous transit and non-transit operations control centers. This review allowed the study team an opportunity to identify both the positive and negative attributes of the various sites. This study was conducted in order to address the current technological advancements in modern operations control centers and the issues associated with the current reduction of operators required to perform transit system operations. Key technical advancements are creating an operations control center environment that when performing within system boundaries requires virtually no attention. Yet, when the system strays from these operational boundaries (i.e., emergency situations) the complexity of the numerous systems stresses the capabilities of the individual human component. Identification and utilization of operator capabilities paired with optimum equipment selection is critical albeit often discounted. Therefore, a comprehensive state-of-technology review is a critical path towards utilizing numerous operations control center sites and their individual implementation of human factors related design considerations. This paper presents the methodology, findings, and conclusions from the state-of-technology review as relating to operational human factors issues. The results of review include: detailed operation control center equipment requirements lists, job position descriptions, personnel selection, and training requirements.