As part of BAA’s rail and tunnel integration team on T5, our human factors specialists have advanced best practice by managing human factors from the very beginning of the project and throughout the design of every system that includes human operations.

To ensure successful integration into the design, development and delivery of the rail transport system, we formulated a human factors integration plan early in the T5 project lifecycle. Getting the human element correct right from the start was recognised as being essential – the earlier it was introduced, the greater the benefits would be for everyone.

The plan described a comprehensive process for maximising the fit between the people – both staff and public – and the equipment, environment and operational activities. As part of the process, critical ergonomic design standards and principles were outlined to designers early in the design phase to ensure that basic human performance capabilities and limitations were considered in the final designs.

Throughout the development of the rail transport system, evaluations were carried out by representative end users – such as control room operators, station staff and maintainers – to ensure potential operating problems were identified before the system was put into service.

They were involved in assessing the final designs to ensure a close match between the developed system and end user requirements. In this way,
the overall design is one that works well for people – creating a safer, more efficient transport system for all.