Author(s)

D. Gauyacq

Abstract

In recent years, the SNCF Research Department has developed five different tools to monitor production operations. This supervision has the potential to affect the whole production process. This article will present the role played by the supervisory function in the production process and explain how this function contributes towards making the production process more efficient. In the second part, we shall be describing the basic principles of the tools used for supervisory purposes, both as regards the information systems that support them, the alarm, browse and display functions used for the production data, and the functions supporting the decision-making process. In the rest of the text, we shall be illustrating these principles by providing a brief description of two of the specific tools in use: GEDEON, for freight operations and EXCALIBUR, for overall management of trains in circulation. In conclusion, we shall attempt to show the work necessary to make these tools more efficient, whilst recognising that they can only be properly effective if associated with new forms of production organisation better adapted to the target purpose. Keywords: supervision, operational management of traffic, man and machine interfaces, optimisation, quality of service, production system. 1 Introduction Compared to most of the other existing transport modes, the railway can boast a large number of intrinsic advantages in terms of sustainable development. This is particularly true in the case of long-distance bulk traffic, an area where the energy required per unit carried is at its minimum. Yet, in a competitive

Keywords

supervision, operational management of traffic, man and machine interfaces, optimisation, quality of service, production system.