I would like to acknowledge the following persons and organization who did my research to be successful. They worked tirelessly with me to ensure that this research was successful.
- The university management which provided the resources that I needed in the research.
- My very able lecturers who assisted me during the research period and guided me on how I should go about it.
- The librarian and all the workers that work in the library who always ensured I could get the books I needed for my research.
- The people who proof read my report to ensure it was perfect.
- Finally my family members who were always there for me during the research period.
- The Bakerloo organization that I conducted my research on for giving me their time and being patient to answer the questions that I asked.
Abstract
Despite the improvements in the technology there are always errors that usually occur. For an example of a systematic control of electric control errors of communication may occur hence interrupting the whole system. From this error that may occur in technology and cause a great loss to the system it becomes necessary to do a research in this field so that the sources of these errors can be determined and the things that can be done to improve the systems of communication. This report contains an investigation on sources of the errors in a system control unit. The things that can be done so as to reduce this error, conclusion of the error sources. It has also the findings of the research. These findings are analyzed and then a discussion of them is provided in the report. The report has the methods that were used in the research as observation where one visits the control system and observe how they work, interviewing of the personnel working in this field, Readinbg from the secondary sources among many other ways. After the collection of the information this report concludes about this topic and finally it gives the recommendation that can be done so as to improve the efficiency of these systems.
Introduction
Over the past years there has always been a remarkable improvement in technology. This technology has always facilitated efficiency of control system units of planes and trains. But errors in communication at times occurs and you may find two trains occupying the same railway at the same time. This errors always has a great impact in this control system unit. From these errors it becomes necessary to do a research on the sources of these errors and how they can be minimized. The control system units always operate in a fixed timetable each an every day. They control and regulate the movement of trains from one place to another. This system is always controlled in one room by a qualified personnel. There are cell phones to exchange call with those that are on the ground and those that are in the field. There are computers in this room that are used to trace the different movement of the train in the field. These computerized technology is used to determine at what time will a particular train be in a fixed position so as to avoid it colliding with other trains. So communication in the control system units and the field is very important in creating an efficient flow of train in the field. There are many things that this research has revealed can be done so as to improve the efficiency of this control system unit. This may include proper monitoring of the train to reduce their chances of colliding. This report that was conducted for a period of five month aim was to investigate the system control units and the things that can be done so as to improve this system. Different methodology was used in the collection of information. After the information is obtained analysis is done and conclusion and recommendation to improve the efficiency of this service are given .
Literature review.
The technology in control room differs from places to places. At the airport this control system is found in a control tower. After the pilots have taken off they are usually guided by people who are in the control tower. They give the atmospheric condition at different points so as to reduce the chances of plain crushing due to bad weather(Bly 251). They also guide the pilots on the route to follow to avoid plane accident and crushing. This room is very important in that they help to control the movement of the train and locate the different position that plane are to avoid them the instances of collusion. This technology in the control tower is the same as the control in the consultation room of trains. The equipments that are present in this room do not differ greatly they are like the same since they are both used in communication and direction to those that are in the field. In this system even provision of information to passengers is also done in their so as they can be able to know what time a particular train or plane is leaving at what time(Grudin 89).In the case study we study Bakerloo line control house that that consist of a line controller who always do the daily controlling of all the day to day running of the railway line. There is also a divisional information assistant who always gives information to the passengers using the public address and also part of his job is communication with the station manager. When there is problematic you can never find trains in this position (Gaver295).
Methodology
Different methodology was used to correct this information. The reason why many different methods were used was to increase the accuracy of the information collected. The methods that were used in this research includes: Observation where we visited the control system room to see how they function. As we observe their day to day working we were also able to note the challenges and the things that causes inefficiency in these control system rooms. There were interviews that were given out to the people that are working with these systems so as to know how this system works and the things that hinders these systems from performing better than the way they are doing. Some questionnaires were also administered to collect information about this organization. The questionnaire contained both the open ended and close ended question. The questions that were in this question are were very much related to the research topic (Goffman 23).Other ways that were used includes direct researching from secondary sources like reading of books that have information on the topic.Other sources like the internets , articles and journals were also used in this topic.
London underground technology control room is very important. In this room the signaling are computerized so that they can be monitored from a line control room. The main work of a control room is to provide information to passengers through public address system. They also communicate with different station managers and drivers. As it has been observe it is uncommon to find a person who is still training at the Divisional Information Assistant (DIA). This is because in case of an emergency they will be unable to solve the problem quickly. Controller room are well laid out to ensure that the whole system run smoothly. What is observed in Bakerloo line control room is that Divisional Information Assistant and the controller room sit together at a semicircular console that faces a tiled, fixed lined and real time. This equipment runs the entire length of the room as they show traffic movement. At the console, there are radio system to contact drivers, touch screen telephones, close circuit television that monitors and controls viewing platforms. The trainees are allowed to seat at the console area. The DIA and controller uses a variety of tools, which are highly technologized including things like video and audio channels of communications (Gaver, 320). Every shared information are displayed on different monitors. The underground services are coordinated through a timetable that specifies running time for specific trains. Number of trains and the route each train is going to use. The timetable also entails crew allocation and shift arrangement. A piece of information is set at the station concerning staff travel facilities. When you are at the underground control station is when you will realize that timetable is not just an abstract description showing operation and services. However, it is an important schedule used by controller, signalmen, DIA managers, to coordinate traffic flow of the trains as well as passenger movement. Different underground have their own timetable for timing of trains where they are closely tied to services on a related line. DIA and controller use the timetable with their understanding of operation of services to determine adequacy of services. If it is possible initiate remedial action as well. Another function of controller is to guard and always check the timetable is running smoothly. A timetable is a resource, which is used to identify difficulties within the operation of the service as well as their management (Bly, 254). A controller can make different adjustments to the running time of various trains to reduce the gap, which might emerge between the trains operation. A severe disruption of services can easily arise due to vehicle breakdowns absentees. These problems can be managed and be brought into control by reforming services. It is very critical for DIA and other worker to receive the information concerning changes which has been made on the timetable. Although there is a big difference in responsibility between controller and the DIA, the different task require their close collaboration. The personnel’s have to develop a method of checking each other’s conduct as well as coordinate different collection of activities and task. All these practices might appear to stand out independently but it requires workers who are experience to work together. In the surreptitious monitoring and in the interrelating tasks is relatively unusual for the DIA and controller. They cannot tell each other what tasks they should explicit and undertake. They also do not provide information concerning changes they have made to the service they are offering (Galegher, 128).
Discussions
The underground control room enables smooth operation of trains and flow of traffic. The kind of technology used is highly advanced to monitor everything, which is going on in the channels. It is good to have communication between the driver and the controller to prevent as well as reduce the incident of accidents. In case of emergencies, it is the work of the control room to bring things back to normal. All drivers and passengers depend on the controller and DIA to pass the right information to them. The equipment used are highly technologized to ease the method of monitoring, as they are easy to use. The DIA is built in a semicircular console so that when someone seats at the center he/she can observe everything in different corners. Non-trained personnel are not allowed in the DIP or controller section so that in case of emergency qualified staff can easily run to the rescue. DIA and controller have different function ensuring each department is specialized to their own field. This will ensure there is efficiency of work and every one focuses on their department. Timetable is built enables to ensure everything goes according to the way it was planned. They ensure there is no collusion of trains or activity. Control room is full of potential workers who control the whole activity required. The touch screen, telephone are used to pass and receive information. The efficiency of the whole process will depend on the control room. The flow of traffic will be determine by the scheduled timetable, which is monitored by the controller. The DIA and the controller they do not oversee each other action but they monitor various events for themselves and others.
Conclusion.
Flow of traffic is totally left in the hands of control room. It is well built to ensure there is right flow of information in between the passengers, drivers and personnel at the control room. DIA and Controller ensure the whole experience of transporting people, goods and services smooth. Console is a very important part as it contains telephone for communication, touch screen to monitor flow of traffic. DIA and Controller are separated from each other so that efficiency is improved. The two-department work together to deliver quality services. It is thanks to technology that number of inefficiency and accidents has been reduced.
Recommendation
The old machine can be replaced with the new ones. This is because the new technology is more efficient with speed, and make the whole experience of controlling and monitoring flow of trains easy. The space in the control room should be increased to accommodate large number of personnel so that trainees can be accommodated and trained during the normal working condition. The number of personnel should be increased for maximum monitoring of traffic of trains. Working hours for each personnel should be reduced to increase the quality of monitoring and controlling. When the personnel from the control room is communicating with the passengers he/she should use a favorable and friendly language.
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