The contribution of automation to resilience in rail traffic control

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenges of high system complexity within rail traffic control. Based on resilience engineering principles, the different types of traffic control technology are analysed in order to identify either their contributions or hindering factors towards system resilience. Throughout four main generations of technology in traffic control, whilst there is a clear path towards increased automation, evidence from recent research in this domain suggests that the introduction of automation does not necessarily contribute to enhanced resilience. Despite its contributions to efficiency by placing larger areas under the supervision of each control post, it has introduced many new complexities in traffic control decision making. In many cases, automation has created a gap between rail operations and those in charge of their control. Beyond basing their decisions on operational needs and priorities, Traffic Controllers must take into account the possible responses that automated systems might initiate. So far, traffic control technologies are unable to deal with disruptions and much of the variability inherent to complex operations such as the railway but future generations of rail signalling systems may be able to better support resilience if appropriately designed. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.