CONTEXT
The WAP-4 is the workhorse of the Indian Railways Passenger Division. The Pilot's cabin and the control panel have stayed the same since the launch of the WAP-4 locomotive and an overhaul was commissioned in 2010. An improved control panel was necessary to lower the learning curve for new pilots and co-pilots as well as to reduce the operation fatigue on extended segments.
INSIGHT
IDEA
As the roles and corresponding duties of the pilot and co-pilot evolved over the years in tune with developments to the overall system, the control panel stayed the same. Through in-depth field research, usability issues, deterrents of efficiency and opportunities for improvement were identified in the realms of physical, spatial and cognitive ergonomics.
​
​
New layouts of the control panel were envisioned, prototyped and tested to facilitate a streamlined workflow of operations in a sequential order. Cabin space was redesigned to accommodate specific needs pertaining to the operational tasks of both the pilot and the co-pilot.
IMPACT
The redesigned control panel reduced operational fatigue by 15% and slashed the emergency reaction time by a factor of two. Usability testing was conducted by the Indian Railways Pilot Training department using both pilots and co-pilots in the training simulator at the Vadodara facility of the Western Railways Division.
​
​
TEAM
Emil Alex
Mihir Laghate
Prateek Upreti
MY ROLE
User Researcher
Interaction Designer
Physical Prototyping Lead
TOOLS AND METHODOLOGIES
Field Research / Crew Interviews / Footplate Trips / Contextual Inquiry / Ergonomic Analysis / Task Analysis / Rapid Prototyping / User Testing / CAD
​
LOMOTIVE CONTROL PANEL
FOR WAP-4 ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE DIVISION (INDIAN RAILWAYS)