Title: Understanding ambiguously structured rail traffic control practices

Authors: Jaap Van Den Top, Bauke Steenhuisen

Addresses: Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Jaffalaan 5, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands. ' Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Jaffalaan 5, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands

Abstract: The rail system displays a high number of dynamic interdependencies among trains, signals, switches and the many controllers and staff who operate them. Consequently, these operators face many trade-offs for critical values such as safety and reliability. We studied these issues from the operator|s perspective. We found that operators cope with problems using a wide variety of strategies, especially with respect to the cooperation with colleagues in different roles. The current efforts to manage and innovate traffic control practices should be based on a thorough understanding of actual practices and problems. We show that these problems tend to be paradoxical. In conclusion, we draw up recommendations on how to improve these operational practices on the basis of our empirical observations.

Keywords: traffic control; infrastructure operations; ambiguity; workarounds; managerial support; rail traffic; railways; rail safety; rail reliability; trains; dynamic interdependencies; rail signals; rail switching.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2009.025290

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2009 Vol.9 No.2, pp.148 - 161

Published online: 18 May 2009 *

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