ETCS-mmi interface,
design and psychological background information,
from the mmi design team
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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Persons involved in the ETCS-mmi development
(to be extended) |
| 40 | experts | train control safety expert | European Networks |
| 240 | Drivers | test mmis in simulator | 12 European Networks |
| Aad de | Geus | technician | Netherlands Railways |
| Colete | Weeda | ergonomist | Intergo |
| Anzwina | | | |
| Marieke | Göbel | cognitive psychologist | Netherlands Railways |
| Hans | Rijpkema | programmer | Scan/ Media-Gn |
| Jochen | Vorderegger | industrial designer | Netherlands Railways |
| Jochen | Vos | programmer | Scan |
| Leonard | Verhoef | cognitive psychologist | Human Efficiency |
| Noel | Maessen | cognitive psychologist | Netherlands Railways |
| Martin | Meeldijk | programmer | Scan |
| Natasha | Weitenberg | cognitive psychologist | Netherlands Railways |
| Pieter | Rookmaaker | manager ETCS-mmi-team | Netherlands Railways |
| Rens | Holslag | graphical interface designer | Holslag vof |
| Sebastiaan | Vos | simulator hardware | Vos |
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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.
 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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