Citation

Riley V. Transp. Res. Circular 2006; (E-C085): 98-114.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, U.S. National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The author explores two major themes: (1) that the design of systems can facilitate human error and (2) that the design of automation and human behavior can combine to affect human and system performance. One factor that ties these two themes together is cognition; system designers often ignore the cognitive aspects of the design and consequently fail to understand how the design will affect user actions, decisions, and responses. These issues are examined in the context of automated systems. The author follows the evolution of human-centered automation issues from the rarified atmosphere of aerospace to their emergence in society at large through the 2000 Florida presidential election and the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. In conclusion, he points out that the question of whether the human operator or the automation should have ultimate authority is still unsettled. He also makes the final point that, when processes are automated on the basis of technological availability, cost, efficiency, and the other factors usually considered, the role of automation is optimized and the role of the operator is defined by default rather than by design, while a safer and perhaps more rational approach would be to define the operator's role first. This paper serves as background to a discussion on railroad operational safety.