An analysis of the job of railroad train dispatcher.

PDFTech ReportFRA-ORD&D-74-37DOT-TSC-FRA-73-13RR409/R4304DispatchersCentralized traffic controlDistractionStress (Psychology)Railroad safetyHazards and emergency operationsInterviewingWorkloadWorkplace layoutCommunication and controlJob analysisWorking conditionsPerformance evaluationsEducation and trainingHuman factorsAutomatic train controlInformation organizationDigital computersTask analysisFederal lawsAptitudePersonalityUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and DevelopmentDevoe, D.B.Transportation Systems CenterUnited States. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and DevelopmentNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail SafetyNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail Laws and RegulationsNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail Planning and PolicyNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Rail SafetyNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Transit Safety and SecurityNTL-LAWS AND REGULATIONS-Federal Standards and RulesNTL-LAWS AND REGULATIONS-Rail Laws and RegulationsVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterThis report constitutes a detailed study of the job of railroad train dispatcher, conducted to provide a data base for the derivation of criteria of job knowledge, skills and training consonant with safe operations. Documentation was reviewed; specialists were con- sulted, and selected dispatching operations were observed in detail. The report describes the responsibilities and duties of train dis- patchers, their workplaces and job aids, the principal functions they perform, and the records they must maintain. Special characteristics of the job, such as workload, stress, inadequacies in aids, and trends toward improvements are discussed, and estimates are made of the physical and psychological attributes, job knowledge and skills basic to safe operations and possible approaches to assurance of safety through selection, placement and training