Addressing the Catch 22: No User, No Train

Fiona Bird

Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd.

Fiona Bird has a MSc. Ergonomics from Loughborough University and has been applying human factors in the rail industry since 1999, with considerable experience in the research, regulation, development, and verification of complex systems. Fiona has worked for RSSB, conducted human factors (HFI) on major programmes such as Thameslink 2000 and the National ERTMS Programme, acted as an ISA and provided HF consultancy advice to various TOCs. Fiona first joined Bombardier Transportation as a senior human factors specialist in 2008. She has managed HFI on many rolling stock programmes including VLU and S-Stock for London Underground, various classes of ELECTROSTAR and more recently Bombardier's AVENTRA Units. Fiona is responsible for HFI in the design, assurance and verification of rolling stock and its sub-systems through all phases of the engineering life cycle (bid to warranty). Fiona is involved in a wide range of activities:Managing HFI programmes on rolling stock projectsDeveloping Bombardier's HFI processes and methods as appropriate to accommodate changes in the business and the industry and ensure that HF continues to add value to Bombardier's productsConducting technical HF assessments regarding vehicle zones, functions and sub-systemsLiaising with industry with regard to R&D, standards development and sharing Bombardier's HF good practice Fiona is passionate about the successful integration of HF in engineering programmes in a manner that is commercially realistic, pragmatic in terms of engineering solutions and results in solutions that improve the environment for the end users.

Abstract

Traditional models of User Centred Design often focus on involving users early in the design process and interactively testing designs until an optimal design solution can be achieved. In complex manufacturing projects, such as the design of rolling stock, this process is often impractical as the usability of a product often emerges through the integration of multiple systems and subsystems. In practice this means that user testing only becomes viable at a stage when the costs of change become prohibitively high, limiting the opportunity for ergonomic optimisation.

To overcome this problem the Bombardier Transportation HF team has developed a structured process of procedural de-risking for rolling stock projects. This process decomposes the vehicle by subsystem and identifies areas of change or novelty which present HF risks. Programs of targeted early design contribution are put in place based on the results of this assessment followed by HF assessments of increasing ecological validity appropriate to the design maturity of the subsystem. The aim of the process is that the first vehicle level tests should be a validation rather than exploratory activity with risks minimised throughout the design lifecycle.

This paper describes the process of procedural de-risking employed by Bombardier Transportation and the associated challenges imposed by this process including the identification of appropriate carryover, operating with limited availability of end users, and demonstrating the value of optimised ergonomic design. The paper will utilise case studies from the development of our AVENTRA™ CL345 and CL710 Units where the HF processes have evolved from ELECTROSTAR™, TURBOSTAR™, S-Stock and Victoria Line 09TS to demonstrate how this process has been utilised successfully whilst acknowledging lessons learned and the need for continuous improvement.

This paper demonstrates industrial application and is for inclusion in Applied Ergonomics.

Authors

Fiona Bird (Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd.)
Christopher Patrick (Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd.)

Topic Area

Ergonomics design in control facilities, train cabs and rolling stock

Session

HFI-2 » Human Factors Integration (11:25 - Wednesday, 8th November, Smile 1)

Paper

Addressing_the_Catch_22_No_User_No_Train_-_Fiona_BIRD_Christopher_PATRICK.pdf

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