Transportation Management Center Concepts of Operations

Training andDocumentationInitial TrainingPersonnelThe concept of operations should identify the type and source of training forpersonnel at the start-up of the TMC. The training will cover a broad range oftopics including:• Background of ITS and purpose of the system• Operational procedures• Nonstandard operations (special events, emergency conditions)• Use of the computer system• System administration• Capabilities of the field equipment• Equipment maintenance, testing, debugging, and repairThe types of training chosen, training duration, base (assumed) skill levels,resources, and skill verification methods should be reflected in the concept ofoperations. The concept should also consider how the initial TMC personnel willbe updated as the system is debugged or as work-arounds are establishedduring the period of operational stabilization, which may last for 1-2 years.Training ResourcesThe resources procured for training are likely to serve as references foroperations personnel for an extended period, and will likely continue to be usedfor training of incoming personnel. They may also serve as the foundation fromwhich updated training material will be prepared (see next section). Thus, theform of the resources (both the form provided to the trainees, and the form inwhich the training maintenance team receives them) should be considered inthe concept of operations.Such resources take a variety of forms. Typical training materials are provided inbinders, divided into chapters by the functions performed. The materials aretypically delivered as viewgraph images, perhaps accompanied by explanatorytext, and exercises with solutions. Reference documents may also be providedas part of the text, including background and technical material on the TMCand systems, as well as directories and related materials on organizations withwhich the TMC may interact.Alternatively, training material may be provided electronically, perhaps on acompact disk, or stored centrally and accessible from the system workstations.This process simplifies keeping the materials up-to-date, but complicates theaddition of notes, and can leave the operator without assistance in the case ofcertain system or communication failures.4-55