Reducing Major Rule Violations in Commuter Rail Operations: The Role of Distraction and Attentional Errors

Accidents in commuter rail operations and the analyses of rule violations have highlighted the need for a better understanding of the role that distraction and attentional errors play. Distracted driving has thoroughly been studied in recent years, but distraction during rail operations has been less examined. This paper presents four speakers who will examine different aspects of the distraction issue. The topics will include a systems analysis of rail operations, analysis of rule violations and surveys of locomotive engineers, description of a high-fidelity rail simulator, and results from a two-part study using this simulator to examine distraction and attentional errors in commuter rail operations. Implications of the findings for reducing major rule violations and improving the safety of rail operations will also be discussed.

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• Summary URL:
  http://volpedb.volpe.dot.gov/outside/owa/vntsc_outside.product_repository.display_item?p_doc_id=31351
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/9689
• Authors:
  • Parasuraman, Raja
  • Elsmore, George
  • Isaac, Matthew S
  • Fisher, Donald L
• Conference:
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 56th Annual Meeting, 2012
  • Location: Boston Massachusetts, United States
  • Date: 2012-10-22 to 2012-10-26
• Publication Date: 2012

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp 2331-2334

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alertness; Attention; Distraction; Locomotive engineers; Operating rules; Perception; Railroad commuter service; Railroad safety; Railroad simulators; Train crews; Train operations
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01473205
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: NTL, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 19 2013 3:03PM