Some Human Factor Aspects of Computer Controlled Transportation Systems

Abstract

The new era of computer controlled transportation systems pose unique human interface problems, particularly with respect to passenger management. Passengers enter the system and the vehicles; are transported to their destination, and leave the system without visible contact with any system personnel.

Some system interactive and passenger management problems surfaced during the design of the Morgantown People Mover (MPM) System at West Virginia University, - problems that required human engineering analysis to help achieve a solution.

The system's goal is to safely transport every passenger to his or her destination. The safety aspect requires protecting everyone from self and system inflicted injury. To increase the probability of achieving the goal, each passenger and vehicle is monitored visually at each station by human operators in a Central Control Room. The driverless, rubber-tired vehicles operate on concrete guideways using 575 volt electrical power, and are computer controlled.

The main potential source of self-inflicted injury occurs from contact with the power rail when a passenger enters the guideway from either a station or from the vehicle. Entry from a station is a problem common to all electrically powered transportation systems, and the deterrent is highly visible flashing signs. However, egress from a vehicle onto the guideway is the result of passenger impatience when a vehicle stops due to an anomaly.

In a single, unidirectional guideway system, when one vehicle stops, - (and if allowed to go unchecked), - trailing vehicles continue to stop virtually paralyzing the system. This compounds the probability that a passenger will open a door which removes power.

To reduce the probability of injury or catastropic system deterioration, Human Factor personnel developed rigorous stopped vehicle traffic management procedures and automatic software response requirements. A complex system of software and manual control and display of electrification was developed, some of the requirements stemming from maintenance personnel safety requirements.