PROBLEM AREAS IN MICROCOMPUTER USE. SESSION I

The microcomputer, in the space of a very few years, has become an integral part of the transportation engineer's operation. It has enabled the engineer to do more in less time, and has brought data processing capabilities, previously limited to large organizations, to individual users. Its advantages are well documented; its benefits are proven. The use of the microcomputer, however, has created some problems, which have tended to be overlooked in the general euphoria and enthusiasm. These include: difficulty in identifying and correcting errors, especially in intermediate steps; tendency not to check results; belief that "if it comes from the computer it must be right"; use of the computer by operators who are not familiar with the concepts or requirements of the program; insufficient or lack of adequate documentation for commercial programs; inflexibility of programs; difficulty in adapting them to individual or special conditions. The problems all have a common theme--the imposition of a barrier between the engineer and the calculations. The microcomputer has been described as an extension of the user. Such barriers, unless they are understood and managed, can reduce the advantages of microcomputer use. In discussing the problem areas, they have been divided into the above five categories purely as a convenience in this presentation. They are, of course, totally interrelated, and should not be considered as isolated or independent phenomena. This paper is based on the experiences of both the author and, through various discussions, papers and presentation, upon the experiences of a large number of other users. It is not intended to discourage anyone from using the microcomputer--the author is a strong advocate of its use--but rather as an "alert" to some of the problems which may be encountered in setting up and developing microcomputer procedures. It is hoped that the comments and suggestions can serve as guidelines for anyone starting in with or expanding the use of microcomputers. (Author)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was presented during the Institute of Transportation Engineers 54th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California, September 23-27, 1984.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Sarne, J L
• Conference:
  • Compendium of Technical Papers, 1984
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 10-12

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Documents; Errors; Flexibility; Microcomputers; Problem identification; Traffic engineers
• Uncontrolled Terms: Documentation
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Highways; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390569
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM