Information Systems for Cooperation in Operational Train Traffic Control

Abstract

The operational phase in train traffic control is very complex and dynamic. Many different actors are involved. The traffic control organization is complex in itself and consists internally of different roles in different parts of the organization, such as dispatchers, signallers, regional and national coordinators etc. The railway companies, railway undertakings, have their own complex organization and systems. Train drivers and on-board personnel are involved in driving and support of passengers. Passengers and other customers require precise information. Today there are no information or control systems that support efficient coordination of actions and cooperation between actors. Systems for common access to central information, such as the current traffic plan, do not normally exist. The result is non-optimal performance and difficulties to handle perturbations and disruptions. We have studied new principles for traffic control and developed support systems based on the principle ‘control by operational re-planning’ of a continuously updated real-time traffic plan (RTTP). This concept also includes the use of automation, but only in a way that cannot reduce skills, situation awareness or the possibilities to handle all such situations that automation are not designed for. Support systems for traffic controllers have been developed and evaluated and found to be useful in both normal and disturbed traffic situations. Studies have indicated that today's driver advisory systems provide too little information, e.g. only a speed advice, and do not improve drivers’ skills or their situation awareness. In a research project, a prototype for a new driver advisory system has been developed, in cooperation with a group of experienced drivers.