Analyzing Cooperative Work in an Urban Traffic Control Room for the Design of a Coordination Support System

Abstract

A recent approach to computer technology aims the design of support systems as opposed to tools conceived as prostheses. However, most studies developping this new design paradigm consider the interaction between a stand-alone user and his technological environment. Focussing on an Urban Traffic Control Room, we explicate how work analysis should take into account the course of action of individuals and their interrelation. The design proposal sketched in this paper illustrates how a coordination support system should be capable of simultaneously supporting individual and cooperative work to meet the needs of complex and crisis-prone work situation.