ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides that group of readers with a number of new tools, some specific case studies of evaluating rail technology, and examples of how general theoretical principles and practice in Human Factors have been operationalised in a rail setting. It illustrates the centrality of non-technical factors and the importance of participative design principles being applied both before and after the implementation of a new technology. The book shows the limitations of a narrow technical perspective on new technologies. It also illustrates the seductive nature of technology and demonstrates how the purpose of technology may become easily disconnected from its goals during the early specification stages. The book addresses some of the theoretical issues that need to be considered in order to answer such questions along with some clear, simple techniques for determining this information at the task level in a specific organisation.
