Human Factors Phase III: Effects of Train Control Technology on Operator Performance
This report describes a study evaluating the effects of train control technology on locomotive engineer performance. Several types of train control systems were evaluated: partial automation (cruise control and programmed stop) and full automation were compared to manual train control. The study evaluated how these systems affected human performance related to position control, speed regulation and response to system failures, using a human-in-the-loop locomotive simulator. The study found a significant difference in the variance of response times to brake failures and traction motor failures for the partial automation condition compared to manual and full automation conditions. In this condition, participants biased toward monitoring events outside the locomotive instead of the instrument panel.
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- Record URL:
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Corporate Authors:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Human-Machine Systems Laboratory, 77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA United States 02139Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
55 Broadway
Cambridge, MA United States 02142Federal Railroad Administration
Office of Research and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Lanzilotta, Edward J
- Sheridan, Thomas B
- Publication Date: 2005-1
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Web
- Edition: Final Report
- Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 84p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Automatic train control; Cruise control; Human factors; Locomotive engineers; Manual control; Performance; Railroad simulators; Reaction time
- Uncontrolled Terms: Brake failure (Freight train)
- Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01002022
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-VNTSC-FRA-05-01, DOT/FRA/ORD-04/18
- Contract Numbers: R2103/RR204
- Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
- Created Date: Jul 12 2005 3:17PM