Evaluation of a digital communication device for railroad worker safety

Abstract

This thesis documents the testing of a prototype of a smartphone to be used by roadway workers and dispatchers that was based in a wireless data link service. The main purpose of using a smartphone in railroad communications is to eliminate errors due to radio and pronunciation deficiencies. Previous studies analyzed the communication environment of the dispatcher in order to address questions based upon data link becoming a means for sending and receiving information in railroad operations. These studies have examined what kind of information is appropriate for each medium (voice and visual), and by what criteria a dispatcher will select which communication medium. Building on these studies, this work presents a comparison between a radio and data link mediums for a long communication of a characteristic type: assignment of a form D. This thesis reports on the on site testing of the data link system which proved to be useful and efficient in certain aspects of railroad applications. The new system was faster and more effective than the radio communication when used to convey long messages such as filling out Form Ds. The radio communication was faster than the datalink for confirmation communications that only require yes/no answers. One reason for this difference appears to be the users' unfamiliarity with the device. The time to convey short messages could also be reduced after the users become more proficient with the new system. The document also includes an analysis of the regulatory challenges that the new system would bring. A list or recommendations for the new regulations are presented at the end of the report.