The order of the signal house and can humans make railways safer and more efficient ? Operational traffic management is the system that controls vehicles to run efficiently and safely through a traffic system. In most transportation modalities the vehicle is controlled by a human driver. Humans appear to be talented in driving vehicles – although they are not perfect. To fulfil this task the form a ‘traffic image’ in their minds. This traffic image is based upon visual observation and can be enhanced with technical means. Trains are also controlled by a human: the train driver. A train driver however does not make his decisions based upon a traffic image. His decisions are based upon orders given by the signalling system and the timetable. The railway system therefore lacks the flexibility we find in other modes of transportation. The authors formulate as a hypothesis that both safety and efficiency of the railway system can improve when the train driver is provided with a traffic image. And they propose to research this subject. (Author/publisher)
Abstract