Information can take many forms. Ultimately, it is the ‘message’ that is communicated between two people (or systems or processes).

This story from today’s Irish Examiner shows the importance of checking that the message being communicated is accurate and timely. It’s a trainwreck because it relates to trains, there was a problem and it will cost the Irish rail operator €10,000 to compensate people for a miscommunication and an error in the presentation of information.

The summary of the article is that

1. Over 300 people were waiting for the train from one of Ireland’s flagship railway stations.
2. A visually impaired passenger was helped by the Station Controller on to the train
3. The signal for the train to depart was given, while 300+ people stood on the platform.
4. The people at the station had to take a different train (leading no doubt to over crowding), which made an unscheduled stop to link up with a special shuttle train transfer that brought them to their final destination.

Inaccurate information was given to the train driver and guard (or perhaps they interpreted information incorrectly) who followed the procedure when that signal was given – they started the train up and left the platform (and the 300 people) behind it.
How might this have been avoided? As ever in these cases an investigation is underway.