Interaction in isolation: The dislocated world of the London Underground train driver

We have recently witnessed the emergence of ai range of naturalistic studie s concerned with work, interaction and technology in complex organisational environments. In this paper we examine a seemingly individual and isolated activity, which involves the use of relatively basic technology to guide a vehicle in accord with a highly regulated signalling system. The paper con siders the ways in which operating a vehicle is systematically co-ordinated with the actions off others. These actions, whether by passengers or colle agues, are only 'visible' by virtue of various technologies; technologies t hat offer restricted and even distorted access to people and their conduct. In one sense, therefore, the essay is concerned with explicating the socia lly organised and interactionally sensitive 'intelligence' which features i n the day-to-day work of drivers on London Underground; a rapid urban trans port system which carries more than a million passengers a day.