The Role of Psychology in the Design and Evaluation of Transport Systems

Abstract

The objectives of a man-machine system can be fully realised only if due consideration is given to both its human and its engineering features. Psychologists have been involved with others in the design and evaluation of man-machine systems, including those in the area of transportation, in order to provide at least some of the information relating to human characteristics and human performance.

The role of psychology, and of the psychologist, in the design and evaluation process is critically reviewed. It is suggested that our knowledge of, say, the perceptual and motor performance of human beings and of the practical aspects of survey methodology are at a level rigorous enough to make valuable contributions in man-machine systems design and evaluation. Nevertheless the precise prediction and measurement of, for example, affective states and of information-processing and decision-making performance seems beyond the scope of current theory. This limits the quantitative power and hence the usefulness of psychology to transport system designers at present. Some reasons are offered for these limitations and the future role of psychology in the design and evaluation of transport systems is discussed.