Operator centred design: example of a new driver aid system in the field of rail transport

This paper describes the activities carried out in order to define the relevant information to be specially adapted so as to enable train drivers to comply with train timetables. We shall describe the chosen methodology used and in particular the combined assessments of some fields of desirable future activity. The interface concept used was designed and developed by a multidisciplinary group structured in accordance with concurrent engineering and user centred design principles. The results obtained emphasize the suitability of the method and the necessity of clarifying the emergence of the modification of user strategies, together with the improvement of expertise during empirical evaluations, especially if the product developed has an important impact on a complex socio-technical system.