Design of train indicators

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).

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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).

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