Paper Abstract
"This paper develops an understanding of the tasks that provide a basis for generating reliable design recommendations for the introduction of future technologies into Chinese motorway traffic control room systems. Studies involving comprehensive and practical task analysis of the operations in motorway control rooms face a significant research gap. This study aims to broaden the understanding of Control Room Operator tasks related to motorway safety. Building on existing documents, a field study was conducted in two motorway control rooms in China. Eighteen operators and four engineers participated in the study. The study uses a user-centred approach to investigate the operators’ tasks in terms workflow, goals, sub-goals and related cognitive aspects. Four categories of tasks stakeholders believed related to motorway safety were presented in the form of a hierarchy and goal-based and cognition-based description were identified. The analysis revealed the unexpected importance placed on reporting tasks by the Control Room Operators and associated stress, as well as providing an in-depth description of the tasks involved in responding to incidents."

The full paper is available through SpringerLink, provided that you have proper access rights.