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At least 937 records · Page 52Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Train drivers' sleep and alertness during short relay operations.

Within Australia, there has been a recent expansion of relay working operations. To address concerns about the amount of sleep obtained by drivers in relay vans, and potential deficits in alertness associated with relay work, the current study assessed the sleep behaviour and alertness of 15 train drivers working short (<48 h) relay operations. In total, drivers obtained 8-12h of sleep during the relay trip (which took approx 40 h). Overall, they reported that they felt more alert following each sleep period. Drivers were able to sustain attention during the 10-min vigilance tasks administered before and after each shift. These findings suggest that the amount of sleep obtained in crew vans during short relay operations is sufficient to maintain alertness during the trip. They also emphasise the importance of scheduling shifts to maximise the number of sleep opportunities that occur between 2200 and 0700 h.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Human error risk management methodology for safety audit of a large railway organisation.

This paper considers the application of the human error risk management for engineering systems (HERMES) methodology for safety assessment studies. The application concerns the recurrent safety audits (RSA) of a large organisation in the domain of railway transportation systems. The objective of the study was the identification of the most relevant areas of intervention for improving safety and reliability of the service. The methodology has been applied to the whole organisation and its working processes. Specific attention was paid to train drivers. A number of critical indicators of safety and recurrent safety audit matrices were identified, which enabled the assessment of the safety level of the organisation and the generation of safety recommendations. The application of HERMES to this case study shows that the methodology is applicable in practice and can give valuable and significant results.

Efficiency, Organizational↗
PubMed2005

The Integrated Workload Scale (IWS): a new self-report tool to assess railway signaller workload.

Network Rail, who own the railway infrastructure in the UK, have been interested in the assessment of mental workload (MWL) of signallers and control staff for some years. A new model of MWL has been proposed within which to develop a suite of new MWL analytical and empirical assessment tools. One of these is the Integrated Workload Scale (IWS), developed and tested for signallers. This paper describes the development of the IWS and its subsequent testing within two full-scale simulator trials with an NX (entry/exit) panel and an Integrated Electrical Control Centre (IECC) system, and then in the field at signal boxes. The IWS has proven to be a valuable measure of individually experienced peaks and troughs in workload over a period of time or within a particular set of scenarios. It is acceptable to signallers and maps well onto assessments of expected workload on the basis of timeline analysis and subject matter expert commentaries.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Timeliness and task specification in designing for human factors in railway operations.

Human error is often related to flaws in system design which might have been avoided had greater attention been paid to human factors knowledge and methods as the system was developed. The paper considers the role of human factors in system design and argues that adopting an operational perspective in identifying human factors issues ensures that subsequent human factors advice is focused upon real needs and is consistent with how managers and engineers choose to manage their systems. It also considers the issue of timeliness of human factors input. Failure to consider human factors issues at a time when other design decisions are being taken often means that it is less straightforward to accommodate changes. Thus, managers and engineers may resist dealing effectively with potential human factors problems for reasons of cost and delay in meeting project milestones.

Ergonomics↗
PubMed2005

Analysing and modelling train driver performance.

Arguments for the importance of contextual factors in understanding human performance have been made extremely persuasively in the context of the process control industries. This paper puts these arguments into the context of the train driving task, drawing on an extensive analysis of driver performance with the Automatic Warning System (AWS). The paper summarises a number of constructs from applied psychological research thought to be important in understanding train driver performance. A 'situational model' is offered as a framework for investigating driver performance. The model emphasises the importance of understanding the state of driver cognition at a specific time ('Now') in a specific situation and a specific context.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Managing violence on the railways.

This paper describes the findings of a series of targeted inspections that considered the arrangements and measures for managing and preventing work-related violence in train-operating companies (TOCs). In general, TOCs manage the risk of violence to their staff in the same way as other personal risks. Hence, the inspection considered risk assessments, reporting measures and investigation reports, and evaluated the preventive, protective and response measures in place. A number of deficiencies were identified, the most serious of which concerned the arrangements and measures in place for contract staff employed in checking tickets or in security activities. Action was taken by HM Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) to ensure the TOCs and the employers of the contract staff resolved this issue.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Planners and their cognitive maps: an analysis of domain representations using multi dimensional scaling.

We expected planners working on the planning problems at a particular department for many years to have similar ideas about their work domain. However, we found the opposite when we analyzed the results of an extensive knowledge elicitation study we performed on 25 planners working in the rolling stock and rolling staff planning department of the Netherlands Railways (in Dutch: NS). The planners were asked to model their domain by means of card sorting and graph-positioning methods using domain-related objects and relations. When we applied multi dimensional scaling to the outcome of this study, we found large differences in the individual cognitive maps thus created. In this article, we describe the analyses and discuss our findings about planners' cognitive maps. These maps may have implications for the organization of planning in general, for training of planners, and for software design.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Investigation into issues of passenger egress in Ladbroke Grove rail disaster.

This paper provides an overview of findings from the Health and Safety Laboratory investigation into human factors issues surrounding passenger escape and evacuation in the Ladbroke Grove train crash (1999). Drawing upon a range of contextual information the investigation focused upon identifying barriers and delays to evacuation following the incident. Findings highlight a number of important design shortcomings, as well as scope for the enhancement of both passive and active communication systems. The need to take account of passengers' mental models, intuitions and situation awareness when designing communication systems and emergency egress equipment for the railway carriage environment is highlighted.

Accidents↗
PubMed2005

Rail human factors: Past, present and future.

Rail human factors research has grown rapidly in both quantity and quality of output over the past few years. There was an early base of work at a few institutions carried out over the 1960s and 1970s, followed by a lull in the 1980s and early 1990s. The continual influences of safety concerns, new technical system opportunities, reorganisation of the business, needs to increase effective, reliable and safe use of capacity, and increased society, media and government interest have now accelerated rail human factors research programmes in several countries. In this paper we review the literature on rail human factors research, covering driving, signalling and control, maintenance, reporting systems, passenger interests, planning and technical systems change. Current major rail human factors programmes are summarised and future research needs proposed. It is asserted that general human factors models and methods are being re-assessed, and new ones developed, to meet the requirements of the railways.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Driver performance modelling and its practical application to railway safety.

This paper reports on the development and main features of a model of driver information processing. The work was conducted on behalf of Network Rail to meet a requirement to understand and manage the driver's interaction with the infrastructure through lineside reminder appliances. The model utilises cognitive theory and modelling techniques to describe driver performance in relation to infrastructure features and operational conditions. The model is capable of predicting the performance time, workload and error consequences of different operational conditions. The utility of the model is demonstrated through reports of its application to the following studies: Research on the effect of line speed on driver interaction with signals and signs. Calculation of minimum reading times for signals. Development of a human factors signals passed at danger (SPAD) hazard checklist, and a method to resolve conflicts between signal sighting solutions. Research on the demands imposed on drivers by European train control system (ETCS) driving in a UK context. The paper also reports on a validation of the model's utility as a tool for assessing cab and infrastructure drivability.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2006

Simulated train driving: fatigue, self-awareness and cognitive disengagement.

Fatigue is a serious issue for the rail industry, increasing inefficiency and accident risk. The performance of 20 train drivers in a rail simulator was investigated at low, moderate and high fatigue levels. Psychomotor vigilance (PVT), self-rated performance and subjective alertness were also assessed. Alertness, PVT reaction times, extreme speed violations (>25% above the limit) and penalty brake applications increased with increasing fatigue level. In contrast, fuel use, draft (stretch) forces and braking errors were highest at moderate fatigue levels. Thus, at high fatigue levels, errors involving a failure to act (errors of omission) increased, whereas incorrect responses (errors of commission) decreased. The differential effect of fatigue on error types can be explained through a cognitive disengagement with the virtual train at high fatigue levels. Interaction with the train reduced dramatically, and accident risk increased. Awareness of fatigue-related performance changes was moderate at best. These findings are of operational concern.

Awareness↗
PubMed2006

Human-factors engineering for smart transport: design support for car drivers and train traffic controllers.

The theme Smart Transport can be described as adequate human-system symbiosis to realize effective, efficient and human-friendly transport of goods and information. This paper addresses how to attune automation to human (cognitive) capacities (e.g. to take care of information uncertainty, operator trust and mutual man-machine adaptations). An introduction to smart transport is presented, including examples of best practice for engineering human factors in the vehicle ergonomics and train traffic control domain. The examples are representative of an ongoing trend in automation and they show how the human role changes from controller to supervisor. Section 2 focuses on the car driver and systems that support, or sometimes even take over, critical parts of the driving task. Due to the diversity of driver ability, driving context and dependence between driver and context factors, there is a need for personalised, adaptive and integrated support. Systematic research is needed to establish sound systems. Section 3 focuses on the train dispatcher support systems that predict train movements, detect potential conflicts and show the dispatcher the possibilities available to solve the detected problems. Via thorough analysis of both the process to be controlled and the dispatcher's tasks and cognitive needs, support functions were developed as part of an already very complex supervision and control system. The two examples, although from a different field, both show the need for further development in cognitive modelling as well as for the value of sound ergonomics task analysis in design practice.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2006

Engineering fame: Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel learnt the arts of self-promotion from his father, but triumphant images of him conceal failures and disappointments. This article (part of the Science in the Industrial Revolution series) focuses on his first and last great engineering projects--the Thames Tunnel and the Great Eastern steam-ship.

Engineering↗
PubMed2006

Provincial geology and the Industrial Revolution.

In the early nineteenth century, geology was a new but rapidly growing science, in the provinces and among the gentlemen scientists of London, Oxford and Cambridge. Industry, particularly mining, often motivated local practical geologists, and the construction of canals and railways exposed the strata for all to see. The most notable of the early practical men of geology was the mineral surveyor William Smith; his geological map of England and Wales, published in 1815, was the first of its kind. He was not alone. The contributions of professional men, and the provincial societies with which they were connected, are sometimes underestimated in the history of geology.

England↗
PubMed2006

Geographical distribution of acute symptoms after a train collision involving epichlorohydrin exposure.

In September 2002, two freight trains collided in a northern German town. The inhabitants were potentially exposed to the probable human carcinogen epichlorohydrin. As no objective data on the level of exposure were available, we aimed to assess the geographical distribution of acute symptoms among local residents and subjects occupationally involved in the accident (e.g., firemen). A random sample of 932 adult local residents and 342 occupationally involved subjects were invited to answer a mail-in questionnaire. The main outcome measures were self-reported acute symptoms potentially associated with combustion products (e.g., irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat) and stress-related nonspecific symptoms. The main location during the first 26 h after the accident served as exposure proxy. For occupationally involved subjects, the time spent at the accident site was also used. The overall prevalence of symptoms potentially associated with combustion products was 9.8% for residents and 25.4% for occupationally involved subjects. After adjustment, subjects whose main location was close to the accident site had an increased risk for such symptoms. Among occupationally involved subjects the risk increased with duration at the accident site. Neither main location nor time at the accident site was significantly associated with non-specific symptoms. We could provide an example for designing and carrying out an epidemiologic study shortly after a local accident with potential public health impact. We could define parts of the population at increased risk for symptoms potentially specific for the exposure under study.

Accidents↗
PubMed2007

Psychopathological consequences after a terrorist attack: an epidemiological study among victims, the general population, and police officers.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To assess the prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression and anxiety disorders other than PTSD, among three samples with different level of exposure to the March 11, 2004 terrorist attacks in Madrid. METHOD: We sampled three groups of persons-those injured in the attacks, the residents of Alcala de Henares, and police officers involved with the rescue effort-with different exposure to the March 11, 2004 terrorist attacks, using random sampling from comprehensive censuses of all three groups. In person interviews were conducted with all three groups between 5 and 12 weeks after March 11, 2004. Questionnaire included assessment of socio-demographic characteristics, of PTSD using the Davidson trauma scale, and of a range of psychiatric illnesses using the mini international neuropsychiatric interview (MINI). RESULTS: The overall sample included 127 persons injured in the attack, 485 residents of Alcalá de Henares, and 153 policemen involved in rescue. Of all three groups 57.5%, 25.9% and 3.9% of persons, respectively, reported symptoms consistent with any assessed psychiatric disorder. The use of psychoactive medication before March 11, 2004 was consistently the main predictor of PTSD and major depression among those injured and of major depression and anxiety disorders others than PTSD among residents of Alcala. CONCLUSIONS: There was a substantial burden of psychological consequences of the March 11, 2004 terrorist attacks two months after the event. Persons with prior mental illness are at higher risk of post-event psychopathology, across groups of exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Temporal variation of airborne fungi concentrations and related factors in subway stations in Seoul, Korea.

This study was performed to assess the levels of fungi concentration in subway stations in Seoul, Korea, and to investigate factors contributing to these concentrations. Ninety air samples were collected hourly over the course of a day from five different subway stations. In addition, five settled dust samples and 12 stagnant water samples were collected to investigate these as potential sources of fungi contamination. The number of passengers and frequency of passing trains were also determined during the sampling periods, as they were considered potential factors influencing the airborne fungi concentrations at a given time during the day. The airborne fungi concentrations, as a function of time, were log-normally distributed. The airborne fungi concentrations measured during the morning and evening commute hours (during which the number of passengers and frequency of passing trains was highest) were significantly higher than those measured during non-commute hours. High concentrations of fungi were found in the settled dust samples, suggesting that the settled dust may have been the main source of airborne fungi concentration. The air movement generated mainly by passengers and additionally by trains might have played a role in suspending the fungi from the settled dust. It was also found that stagnant water might be a potential source of airborne fungi.

Air Microbiology↗