ETCS-mmi interface,
design and psychological background information,
from the mmi design team




  For the current official ETCS-dmi specifications please consult Era.

ETCS-dmi team members still active in interface design and cab systems:
Jochen Vorderegger, now at Inspectie Verkeer en Waterstaat (NL)
Leonard Verhoef, now at Human Efficiency (NL)
Rens Holslag, now at Holslag vof (NL)

Last update: November 2010



Demos online ETCS-mmi pictures explained for non-etcs experts, pfd, 14 mb.

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MMI-team online,
documents
Development of a European solution for the Man-Machine ETCS Interface. Utrecht: UIC/AMG, UIC report: A200/M.F5-945222-02.00-950228, Maessen, E.J.M., Rookmaaker, D.P., Verhoef, L.W.M., & Vorderegger, J.R.(1995). 14 mb!

Presenting numbers to teachers, train drivers and travellers. IIID, International Institute for Information Design, Eskilstuna, June 25-28, Verhoef, L.W.M. (2008).

From putting data in statistics to controlling conclusions Decision making with your eyes only Paper presented at DD4D, Data designed for decisions, Enhancing Social, economic and environmental progress, a joint IIID and OECD conference, Paris 18-20 June 2009, Verhoef, L.W.M. (2008).

Een taak-gebaseerde interface voor Europese treinbestuurders. SIGCHI.NL Avondbijeenkomst van 25 mei Ergonomie en het Spoor, Vorderegger, J.R., Verhoef, L.W.M. & Rookmaaker D.P. (1999).

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MMI-team reports on paper The presentation of Train Control Information, Part I Orientation: analysis, criteria and presentation. Utrecht: Netherlands Railways, SE ARBO/A&E/1991/1125-part I, Rookmaaker, D.P. Verhoef, L.W.M. and Vorderegger, J.R, (1991).

Development of a European solution for the Man-Machine Interface (European train cabs), Part II Evaluation and Suggested Presentation for a Euro Display. Utrecht: UIC/ERRI/A200/M.f4-945222-01.0-9412, Maessen, N. Verhoef, L.W.M. & Vorderegger, J.R. (1994).

MMI, Man Machine Interface. Utrecht: UIC/ERRI/ETCS, A 200/M-FRS.02-955733-01.00-951512, (1995).

Driver input for ETCS. Utrecht: UIC/Erri, pag. A200/M02-B0642-01.01-96118, Göbel, M.P. Maessen, E.J.M. D.P. Rookmaaker, L.W.M. Verhoef, J.R. Vorderegger, (1996).

EIRENE-MMI, Basic options and principles (phase 2). Utrecht: Arbo Management Groep \ Ergonomics, Vorderegger, J.R. & L.W.M. Verhoef, (1997).

EIRENE-MMI, User assessment (phase 4). Utrecht: Arbo Management Groep \ Ergonomics, Vorderegger, J.R. Verhoef, L.W.M. & Rookmaaker, D.P. (1997).

Eirene - MMI (phase 5), Requirements and Design Proposals. Utrecht: Arbo Management Groep\ Ergonomics, Vorderegger, J.R. & L.W.M. Verhoef, (1997).

ERTMS (ETCS/EIRENE) MMI, The Man Machine Interface of the European Train Control System and the European Radio System for Railways. Utrecht: UIC, Rookmaaker, D.P. Verhoef, L.W.M. & Vorderegger, J.R. (1998).

ERTMS/ETCS Icons, Utrecht, AMG\Ergonomics, Report 1814/A200.1/M-C0375-02.00-971231, Weitenberg, A., & Vorderegger J.R., (1997).

Een taak-gebaseerde interface voor Europese treinbestuurders. Tijdschrift voor ergonomie, vol. 23, no. 1, Vorderegger, J.R. Verhoef, L.W.M. & Rookmaaker, D.P. (1998).

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Papers and articles MMI-team
on paper
The presentation of speed control information of ETCS train drivers. In: World Congress on Railway Research, Paris, SNCF Dir. de la Recherche, pag. 959-964, Rookmaaker, D.P. Verhoef, L.W.M. Vorderegger, J.R. & Maessen, E.J.M.(1994).

The cab display test as a driving simulator, ETCS/ERRI project. In: World Congress on Railway Research, pag. 1217-1219, Rijpkema, H. Holslag, R. Vorderegger, J. & Verhoef, L.W.M. (1994).

Integration of cab systems, ergonomic considerations. In: Eirene-User Formum Nov 7th Utrecht: ETCS-NS-Se Arbo/ ergonomics, Rookmaaker, D.P. (1996).

A Task Based Interface For European Train Drivers, Stech'96 24-26 September 1996. Birmingham: Inst. of Mechanical Engineers, Rookmaaker, D.P. Verhoef, L.W.M. & J.R. Vorderegger, (1996).

A Task Based interface for European train drivers. In: Better Journey Time - Better business, pag. 79-84, Rookmaaker, D.P. Verhoef, L.W.M. & Vorderegger, J.R. (1996).

A Task Based interface for European train drivers, ImechE conference. Birmingham: Inst. of Mech. Engineers, Rookmaaker, D.P. Verhoef, L.W.M. Vorderegger, J.R. (1996).

EIRENE MMI project: ergonomic issues, Workshop The European Man Machine Interface; background, choices and technology, Jan. 9th 1997. Paris: UIC, Verhoef, L.W.M. (1997).

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Press Anonymous, (1996). Better Journey Time - Better Business, IMechE Conference Transactions. London: Inst. of Mech. Engineers.

Bowen, D.J. (1994). Dutch Eurodisplay may presage standard for HSR Cab Displays. High Speed Transport news, vol. 3, no. 4.

Nomination Rotterdam Design Prize 1997. ETCS MMI: interface for train drivers

 Taal en teken op het spoor, Trouw 7 februari 1997

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Persons involved in the ETCS-mmi development
(to be extended)
40expertstrain control safety expertEuropean Networks
240Driverstest mmis in simulator12 European Networks
Aad deGeustechnicianNetherlands Railways
ColeteWeedaergonomistIntergo
Anzwina
MariekeGöbelcognitive psychologistNetherlands Railways
HansRijpkemaprogrammerScan/ Media-Gn
JochenVordereggerindustrial designerNetherlands Railways
JochenVosprogrammerScan
LeonardVerhoefcognitive psychologistHuman Efficiency
NoelMaessencognitive psychologistNetherlands Railways
MartinMeeldijkprogrammerScan
NatashaWeitenbergcognitive psychologistNetherlands Railways
PieterRookmaakermanager ETCS-mmi-teamNetherlands Railways
RensHolslaggraphical interface designerHolslag vof
SebastiaanVossimulator hardwareVos
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MMI concepts:
experimental speedometers
consistency
colours
planning/anticipation
intervention
concepts to be elaborated

Experimental
speedometers


Analog classical
experimental clock design
Train speed: 192.
Maximum permitted speed
200. Next target permitted
speed 40. Good for general
maintain speed task,
bad for planning and when
close to intervention.

Analog design, screen
version


Diagrammatic design,
vertical version.
Braking curve should
not touch maximum
permitted speed curve.
The tongue below should fit
in the pipe above. Good
for planning and insight,
bad when close to
intervention.


Diagrammatic design,
horizontal version.
Comparable with
vertical version.


Animated design
Braking curve should not
touch max permitted speed
curve. The “vehicle”
in front should not be too
close. Good when close to
intervention, bad for
planning and insight.

etcs mmi, ermts, high speed driving speedometer
Speed and
safety information
for high speed train
drivers.
The one that is now standard.
Source: ETCS/Verhoef.

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Consistency


Cab with inconsistent
interfaces. Visible, even
at low resolution.
Inconsistent presentation
and input of:
date, time, numbers, colours,
enter procedures, control of
attention.


Cab with consistent interfaces.
No differences in
presentation and input of:
date, time, numbers, colours,
enter procedures, control of
attention.


Consistent icon design.
The graphic elements can be
combined for current
functions and for functions
to be developped. The
graphic elements are like
words. Designers can create
new sentences. Drivers
knowing the elements can
understand new combinations
of words/icons.

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Use of colours


Same use of colours for all
information. Colour is used
for control of attention.


Use of colour, white: no
braking curve.


Use of colour, yellow: brake
shortly.


Use of colour, orange: brake
now!!


Use of colour, red: brake
too late, intervention.

This use of colour for
control of user's attention
can be used for any systems,
for instance for passengers
and teachers.


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Planning

At the right maximum train
speed profile ahead. Lower
maximum speed at 1000 m.

The planning design was
based on the experimental
diagrammatic design
(see above).


Time to intervention

The small square at the top
left shows that there is
sufficient time to safety
system brake intervention.


Train braking curve is
close to safety braking
curve. The square top
left shows time to
intervention of the
safety system. Time
to intervention depends
on maximum permitted
speed minus current
speed and the traction/
brake application. When
looking outside the
square is in the visal
periphery but will be
noticed when it comes
up because: the
periphery is sensitive
for changes, for high
contrast changes and
the square is at the
top of the screen.
This design was based
on the experimental
animated design
(see above).




To be elaborated

Look outside
Control of attention
Task based versus ...
Outside reality,
inside presentation
Touch screen input design
Day - night vision



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Contact



cognitive psychology, interface design, mmi, userfriendlyness, usability, web page design
Leonard Verhoef.
+31 (30) - 231 44 97
Parkstraat 19
3581 PB Utrecht
Nederland

humanefficiency.nl
verhoef@humanefficiency.nl

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