ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the work that the Network Rail Ergonomics Group has undertaken in order to ensure that ergonomics requirements and guidelines are properly incorporated into revised and new Network Rail standards for VDU-based signalling control systems design. It outlines the issues and processes involved, the adopted approach, and provide specific examples concerning the development of requirements for signalling schematic maps and alarms systems. The major findings of the work can be categorised under the following headings: automatic signalling systems, contextual awareness, information display requirements, reduction of visual clutter, and alerts and alarms. VDU-based signalling control systems user interfaces must be designed to optimise signallers' perceptual and cognitive load. Signalling displays are perceived by signallers to vary in complexity and clutter depending on: their experience, the relevance of the information to the tasks that have to be performed, and the way that the information is designed and presented on screen.
