For effective traffic management a human-machine system is needed that is tuned to the mission of dynamically realising maximal usage of the road system. This is done by controlling, directing and managing deviant developments in traffic flow. The central question is what is needed of people, tools, and organisation to make that work. TNO Human Factors developed a research framework to guide research for developing an effective human-machine system. In the framework the main research questions were addressed. The developed conceptual framework consisted of four basic steps. Each step drives research questions and generates a set of results and decisions that together will lead to well-founded human-machine systems. A selection of relevant research issues formulated is: a model-based description of command and control functions in order to have a uniform basis for development studies; insight into the effects of increasing automation of the information analysis on the processing side and the implementation of strategies and measures on the action side; support concepts on the basis of layeredness of information and measures, so that traffic managers can direct and control on a high level; insight into the opportunities given by dynamic attention re-allocation, task switching and management; and compilation of a human factors handbook for the design and application of human-machine systems in traffic centres, which should contribute to a systematic and consistent development of future systems. In a workshop with domain experts it was concluded that the framework provides an overview and inbedding of research questions concerning human-machine systems.
Abstract