WSP designs ‘engine-ious’ new train control layout

WSP Petone-based research manager Louise Malcolm describes the new room design as revolutionary. The project used a co-design approach that saw train control and operations staff take part in workshops, interviews, and discussions.

Louise, and colleagues Jared Thomas and Joel Burton delved into staff tasks and workload during normal and emergency train control operations. They also discovered who staff in different control room roles were talking to, internally and externally, to understand where best to place them in a new pod layout.

“We got everyone together and asked questions like, 'what's important to you in this work area', 'what are your biggest concerns', 'how can things be made better’, 'what does good look like’, and ‘what benefits do you see from possible new layouts',” says Louise.

“From there, we came up with ideas for laying out pods and workstations in the control room. We had groups of staff come up with the layouts, then ranked them against what they said was important.”

Louise says the co-design process played a pivotal role in refining the layout. Mock-ups of the new pods and workspaces allowed for testing and feedback from staff.

After multiple designs and reviews, the final layout was chosen and has been in use since May, accommodating around fifty people in the control room.

“We used eye tracking techniques to discover that people weren't looking at the big bank of video monitors. After collecting this evidence, we were able to justify removing the monitors.

“It’s a very modern approach. We've gone from a traditional classroom layout with all desks facing a large bank of video monitors, to a pod layout where screens are now at desks with the operators."

The new design presented some challenges, such as getting staff used to the changes and addressing privacy, noise, and lighting concerns. But the project team was committed to overcoming these obstacles. Sound measurements were taken to address noise issues. Careful attention was given to room and task lighting to ensure comfort and safety.

Louise says the methodologies developed during the project have application beyond the train control sector. WSP can adapt the approach to other industries and sectors, including traffic and marine monitoring, healthcare, network operations centres, and public utilities, demonstrating the effectiveness of what is an ‘engine-ious’ design philosophy.