A systems approach for developing, designing, and transitioning moving map technology in U.S. rail applications

Safety, efficiency and productivity are top priorities for rail industries, but technology implementation faces many barriers. While the demands of locomotive engineers and railroads are increasing, the industry lacks a clear roadmap for technology development, design, and transition for in-cab display technologies. The needs and goals of the moving map, a representative in-cab display technology, are characterized via an analysis of the stakeholders and other socio-technical influences. These activities are conducted in parallel with requirements generation, design, prototyping, and evaluation. Through an analysis of socio-technical influences, the main industry barriers to transition of in-cab display technologies are identified: a lack of a unified industry stance on the direction of in-cab technologies; ineffectiveness developing, implementing, and overseeing standards; and a need for a systems approach throughout the lifecycle of a technology. A strategic approach is needed for the industry to be able to successfully (efficiently, affordably, safely) transition these technologies across U.S. Rail. A committee chartered to identify and create roadmaps for significant technologies, such as moving maps, can facilitate these objectives and is recommended. The trend in transportation and in foreign rail service is shifting toward increased levels of automation and an Advanced Automation Roadmap is recommended.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Voelbel, Kathleen

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mary L. Cummings.

• Engineering Systems Division.
• System Design and Management Program.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/90693

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/90693