The Southampton VTS is a good room with good features and a good team

It may be some years before such a 3D display becomes the primary data source for VTS operators but it is expected to perform a valuable supplementary role in the control room today by providing a visual alternative that also includes a play-back capability that can be used for the analysis of any incidents.

The views of VTS equipment manufacturer Transas Marine endorse the importance of the software design and Chris Loizou, director of the company's shore-based systems business unit explains current thinking.

"The most important general questions which have to be addressed when estimating VTS software usability relate to how easy it is for a VTS operator to work with the system for the first time as well as when the system is already familiar to the operator, how fast and efficiently they may perform the required VTS operations. If an operator hasn't used the system for quite a long time, it is important to know how long it will it take him or her to start using the system with the same efficiency as before.

"Working conditions are also vital for the performance of the VTS operator. Not only the workstation design has to be optimised, ensuring convenient disposition of monitors and controls; comfortable sitting and furniture, lighting, but also the whole control room design shall be well thought out," explains Mr Loizou.

The importance of ergonomics in the control room has already been recognised by the ABP VTS managers in Southampton. They have commissioned John Hargreaves of HAM Associates to analyse their working environment and recommend improvements.

His company specialises in the ergonomics of emergency control rooms for the police and ambulance services so he has been spending long periods at Southampton noting how the VTS operators work. Although the aim is to ensure the optimum design of the new control room, lessons learned already are enabling the existing set-up to work more efficiently.

"The very nature of vessel traffic work is very tiring but there are things we can do to improve the situation," says Mr Hargreaves."Ultimately our aim is to reduce fatigue and thereby increase vigilance." His preliminary observations have already recommended improving the lighting and changing the arrangement of displays so that less head turning is required by the operators in Southampton.

Having already completed a study of the ABP Harwich VTS, John Hargreaves is aware of the need for the effective integration of the various systems in use. He looks to reduce the number of mouse clicks needed to complete a task and he has learned a lot by asking the VTS operators at Southampton to think aloud as they work. By encouraging the operators to give a running commentary on what they are doing, Mr Hargreaves has been able to examine how decisions are being made.

"Overall, the Southampton VTS is a good room with good features and a good team," he says but he is confident that he will find ways to improve it further."Based on our systematic examination system there is usually an awful lot that can be done to reduce the cognitive load of the operators," he says.