FOREWORD

This report documents a top-down system analysis conducted during the course of an investigation of human factors issues critical to the design of an advanced traffic management system (ATMS). Methodologies employed in conducting this analysis, procedures for implementing such methodologies, and analysis results are presented. System objectives and performance requirements for an ideal ATMS, as well as the functionality for such a system, are defined. (The ideal system represents a hypothetical ATMS, one that is unconstrained by real-world events, existing practices in traffic engineering, or current technologies.) Ultimately, real-world elements were considered, where idealized objectives, performance requirements, and functional definition were revised. These revisions are documented here.

Issues associated with the human operator (assignment of operator roles to each ATMS function, specification of operator performance requirements, and identification of operator tasks) are also addressed. Results of the ATMS function allocation process are presented. Included in this presentation is an introduction to the theoretical framework guiding ATMS function allocation: operator role theory, In this report, assessment of the human operator begins at a global level and progresses through increasingly detailed levels. This assessment terminates with the results of a detailed task analysis. Task analysis results supported the preparation of a human factors specification for traffic management center (TMC) configuration items.

George Ostensen, Director Office of Safety and Traffic Operations Research and Development

FHWA-RD-95-181

DESIGN OF AN ITS-LEVEL ADVANCED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM A HUMAN FACTORS PERSPECTIVE

July 1996

Deborah A. Mitta, Michael J. Kelly, and Dennis J. Folds

Electronic Systems Laboratory
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia 30332

3BlE1012

DTFH61-92-C-00094

Office of Safety and Traffic Operations R&D
Federal Highway Administration
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101-2296

Task Report

(28 Sept. 92 to 4 Sept. 94)

Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR): Nazemeh Sobhi (HSR-30)

This report documents an approach for designing an Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) from a human factors perspective. In designing the ATMS from a human factors perspective, a user-centered top-down system analysis was conducted. Methodologies employed in conducting this analysis, procedures for implementing such methodologies, and analysis results are reported. System objectives and performance requirements for the AIMS, as well as ATMS functionality, are derived. Human operator issues (assignment of operator roles to ATMS functions, specification of operator performance requirements, and identification of operator tasks) are also addressed. Results of the operator task analysis supported the preparation of a human factors specification for the ATMS.

Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), Human Factors, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)

No restrictions. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia, 22161.

Unclassified

Unclassified

157