Alex Bulley grew up in England. It had always been his dream to become a driver on London’s underground train system known as The Tube. He was thrilled when, at the age of 26, he became a customer services assistant with London Underground, the company that operates The Tube. From this position, he hoped he could apply to become a trainee Tube driver. He was so happy when he was shortlisted for the training programme, but he had to undertake some tests first. After completing them, he was given some bad news: Alex was colour-blind and could not become a Tube driver.
Most people who are colour-blind can usually see as well as people who are not. However, they are unable to recognise the colours red, green or blue. Quite often, people are totally unaware that they suffer from the condition. Colour blindness is usually genetic, which means it is passed through the family from a parent to a child. In most cases, it is passed on by the mother. This is interesting because only one female in 200 suffers from colour blindness whereas one male in 12 is afflicted. It is estimated that 300 million people across the world are colour-blind.
If you drive a train or car, it is important that you are able to recognise the different colours of road signs and signals. Wherever you are, red is an important colour. It indicates danger and you should stop. Green, on the other hand, indicates that you are free to continue on your journey. You can begin to understand the problems for anyone who is colour-blind. The colour amber is a very difficult colour for people with colour blindness to identify.
One of the tests that Alex had to complete is known as an Ishihara test. It was developed in Tokyo, Japan, in 1917. The test is made up of a series of circles that are filled with coloured dots. Some dots are in one colour and form a number. If a person completing the test has normal vision, the number is clearly visible. A person who is colour blind will be unable to see the number because they cannot recognise the colour.
Alex was extremely disappointed when he heard the news. However, he discovered that the Jubilee Line, one of the eleven Tube lines on the London Underground, uses automatic trains that drive themselves. Red and green signals are no longer used. He approached its operations manager, Mr Joe Brown, who agreed to investigate. After many safety checks had been completed, Alex was told that he could begin his 12-month training, which he has now successfully completed. His dream has come true.
Drivers have relied on coloured road and train signs for over 100 years. With the development of technology, it may not be long before these signs become history. Great news for anyone who is colour-blind.
Question:
Watch an Ishihara test being implemented
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