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Human Factors Projects

The Human Factors team at Rail Safety and Standards Board has been involved in, and continues to support a significant number of projects relating to human factors. The following list is filtered from the complete portfolio of completed and ongoing research. The full list of research can be found on the Research and Development section. There is no longer a distinct Human Factors research theme Human Factors has been fully integrated into all of the research themes.

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relates to completed projects
corresponds to projects that are in progress
Click the document title or description to view detailed project description

T014 Safety critical communications :Defining the problem of poor safety critical communication between drivers and signallers, using data from site surveys. Categorising error types and identifying contributory factors. Guiding the development of remedial measures.

T021 Extended use of AWS :Understanding the implications of extending AWS to new applications, such as warning drivers of speed restrictions or of their approach to multiple-SPAD signals. Human factors appraisal and risk assessment.

T022 Driver reminder appliances - effectiveness study :Reviewing the use and safety-critical effectiveness of Drivers Reminder Appliances (DRAs). Exploring the human factors, reliability and operational issues affecting their use. Proposing strategies to standardise DRA use.

T024 Driver vigilance devices - systems review :This project identified various vigilance devices and technologies and evaluated their suitability for use in monitoring and maintaining train driver vigilance. Three devices were considered suitable within the constraints of UK railway operations but require further empirical evaluation before use.

T052 'Snap wands' and low location marking systems for emergency lighting on passenger vehicles :This project considers the use of low location marking systems and 'snap wands' as a means of providing lighting in an emergency. It addresses recommendation 75 in Lord Cullen's first report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry.

T052a Improvements to safety signage on passenger trains :This project addresses the recommendations made by Lord Cullen in his first report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry, pertaining to improvements in safety signage on passenger trains.

T052b Hammers for breaking carriage windows prior to emergency egress :This project addresses the recommendations made by Lord Cullen in his first report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry, pertaining to the use of hammers as a means of breaking windows prior to emergency egress.

T052c Signage and illumination of Emergency Door Release mechanisms in passenger vehicles :This project addresses recommendation 78 made by Lord Cullen in his first report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry, concerning signage and illumination of Emergency Door Release (EDR) mechanisms.

T052d Communication technology and functionality in passenger vehicles :This project addresses the recommendations made by Lord Cullen in his first report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry, pertaining to communication technology and functionality.

T052e Windows and hatches for emergency egress from railway carriages :This project addresses the recommendations made by Lord Cullen in his first report on the Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry, pertaining to windows as a means of emergency egress and consideration of escape hatches.

T059 Human factors study of fatigue and shift work :Investigating the effects of fatigue on train drivers and optimising shift work practices to reduce risks arising from fatigue and to improve performance.

T059 Human factors study of fatigue and shift work :Appendix 1: Working patterns of train drivers - Implications for fatigue and safety

T059 Human factors study of fatigue and shift work :Appendix 2: Review of coping strategies to mitigate fatigue of train drivers

T059 Human factors study of fatigue and shift work :Appendix 3: Rail rostering culture - Interview findings

T059 Human factors study of fatigue and shift work :Appendix 4: Evaluation of current tools and techniques used for estimating risks associated with shift patterns

T066 Identification and quantification of injuries in railway vehicles during accidents :This project identified the nature of passenger injuries caused to passengers in railway vehicles during accidents. In so doing it provides a means by which the rail industry can consider whether there are any reasonable practicable changes that could be made to interior design and crashworthiness, that would enhance passenger safety.

T070 Common factors in SPADs :Developing a comprehensive and definitive SPAD research library as a resource for SPAD investigation and as a research tool for SPAD reduction and mitigation.

T084 Impact of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on driver workload :This research assesses the human factors implications of the introduction of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) with respect to driver workload and human error.

T105 Wayside horns at level crossings :Establishing the best way to deliver audible warnings to crossing users should noise bans make it impossible to rely on horns operated by train drivers.

T114 Measurement of safety culture in the rail industry :Developing methodologies to measure safety culture in the UK rail industry, and using these to promote cultural development at organisational and industry levels.

T121 Communication for effective passenger behaviour immediately following an incident :This research conducts a holistic review of how staff should communicate with passengers following an accident/incident to promote survivability and reduce injury.

T122 Human factors and injury information to be collected during accident investigations :This research defined what information should be obtained from future accidents and how it should be managed, so that it can be used to inform future train design and egress strategies.

T123 Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry Part 1 Recommendation 60: Rail passenger survey :This research surveyed rail passengers to establish their perception and awareness of risk, investigating their preferences for safety interventions. It responds to recommendation 60 in Lord Cullen’s first report on Ladbroke Grove.

T143 UIC project to improve safety culture at interfaces :Providing information on how to manage interfaces across organisations with different safety cultures, which is increasingly important as Europe strives for increasing interoperability.

T145 Safety critical rule compliance :Investigating the causes of non-compliance with rules and procedures and deriving a list of the key influencing factors as a basis for developing tools to improve compliance.

T146 Improving team working in the rail industry :Identifying opportunities for improving safety through facilitating effective team working, and producing practical guidance for management and staff for the development and control of team working.

T147 Mental workload assessment for train drivers :Defining a mental workload assessment tool for the rail industry, and developing and validating it for use by railway personnel.

T148 Human factors associated with driver error and violation :Investigating driver behaviour to understand the use, benefits and risks associated with protective devices aimed at preventing SPADs, and investigating the 'post-break phenomenon'.

T149 Human factors study of railway worker information requirements :Identifying the information railway personnel require in a range of operational scenarios, and understanding how this information is applied in order to make decisions and to perform tasks.

T150 Driver route knowledge :Understanding how route knowledge features in the driver's tasks and how it can be best supported to avoid incidents related to route knowledge shortfalls.

T152 Train driver visual strategies :Providing guidance to improve the visibility of trackside information by investigating driver visual strategies.

T153 The impact of experience erosion on safety :Investigating 'experience erosion' in the railway industry and its impact on safety, and identifying and developing best practice techniques for counteracting it.

T154 Review of research into back illuminated signals :Reviewing a report that suggested that an artificially illuminated white backboard would make signals more conspicuous to drivers than is the case with the conventional black backboard.

T157a The best flooring materials for stations :Reviewing literature on reducing slips and other hazards relating to flooring materials used at stations. Understanding the physical and behavioural causes of slips, trips and falls. Assessing potential mitigation measures.

T157b Safer surfaces to walk on - reducing the risk of slipping :Reducing slips and other hazards relating to flooring materials used at stations. Understanding the physical and behavioural causes of slips, trips and falls. Assessing potential mitigation measures.

T158 The use of tactile surfaces at rail stations :Investigating the use and location of tactile surfaces at stations. Reviewing potential new materials. Assessing benefits and risk of extending their use to the tops of stairs and escalators and as guideways for people with disabilities.

T161 Managing large events and perturbations at stations :Evaluating techniques, including modelling and contingency planning, for improving crowd management for large events and major perturbations at stations.

T255 Analysis of the 'May peak' in SPAD data :Investigating the seasonal peak in SPADs experienced in May during recent years, and searching for correlations with causal factors.

T269 Human factors risk at user worked crossings :Gaining a better understanding of human behaviour at user worked crossings and identifying contributory factors to risk at the crossings. Evaluating potential risk reduction measures.

T270 Development of a human error assessment and quantification technique :Constructing a human error probability model, populating it with driver data, testing and validating the model and delivering it to the rail industry.

T274 Human-centred junction signalling :The project reviewed signalling requirements at junctions to identify one set of principles that can be applied consistently to all junctions and offer improvements in performance and capacity.

T299 Human factors study of obstructive sleep apnoea in train drivers :This study developed a screening tool to investigate the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in a sample of train drivers.

T310 Review of injury causation and human factors in recent vehicle accidents :This research has determined the causes of fatalities and injuries in recent major rail accidents, and identifies features of train design that contribute to them. Human factors information has also been reviewed.

T313 Analysis of driver survey material about signal sighting :Analysing survey material concerning drivers' perceptions of the hazards associated with signal sighting.

T314 Requirements for emergency lighting on passenger rail vehicles :This project has defined specifications for effective emergency lighting on rail vehicles to encourage appropriate behaviour from passengers and facilitate evacuation in the rare circumstances where it is required.

T317 Minimising the impact of suicides on railway staff :Identifying ways to prepare railway staff for the possibility that they may witness suicides. Determining the most appropriate support systems to reduce post-incident trauma.

T321 Research into signage and wayfinding at stations :Assessing the benefits, costs and issues associated with standardising station signage. Investigating the possibility of developing standards / guidance for non-safety signage and the need for a signage hierarchy. Considering signage placement and lighting.

T322 An investigation into trespass and access via the platform ends at railway stations :Investigating causal factors of trespass via station platform ends, and legitimate access requirements of authorised persons. Developing options for measures to mitigate the former without impeding the latter.

T326 Human factors good practice guide to managing alarms and alerts : This project has developed a human factors alarms and alerts good practice guide and a guidance and evaluation software tool for use in the rail industry.

T326 Human factors good practice guide to managing alarms and alerts :Good practice guide

T326 Human factors good practice guide to managing alarms and alerts :Appendices to the good practice guide

T326 Human factors good practice guide to managing alarms and alerts :Review of alarm and alert sounds for GSM-R (6.2 MB)

T326 Human factors good practice guide to managing alarms and alerts :Alarms and Alerts Toolkit

T328 Human factors of CCTV monitoring :An investigation of human factors questions associated with the use of closed circuit television (CCTV) on the railway, and production of a toolkit for the effective application of CCTV.

T332 Understanding the risk at station and barrow crossings :Examining the requirements for the use of station and barrow crossings to traverse the track. Assessing current safety controls, and the scope of procedural or technical innovation to reduce risk.

T333 Evaluating good practice deterrence and enforcement mechanisms at level crossings :Understanding the cost-effectiveness of, and issues surrounding, red light cameras and investigating alternative deterrent and enforcement strategies used in Great Britain and overseas.

T334 Reducing the risk to motorists traversing user worked crossings on foot :Examining technical solutions to risk reduction at user worked crossings where users are currently required to traverse the crossing four times on foot to open and close gates.

T335 Improving road user and pedestrian behaviour at level crossings :Evaluating existing research into human behaviour at level crossings to understand and prioritise the risk associated with these behaviours, and to construct a practical guidance tool for practitioners to apply appropriate mitigations.

T340 Psychometric testing - a review of the train driver selection process :Reviewing and evaluating standards and procedures for the use of psychometric testing in recruitment for safety critical roles, and in post-incident testing, particularly for drivers.

T341 Reducing accidents and collision damage in maintenance depots :Analysing the precursors of accidents and collisions within maintenance depots, with particular reference to depot design and layout. Evaluating mitigation measures.

T343 Managing driver managers :This project has produced a collection of good practices that may, when implemented, deliver improvements in company and service performance, passenger and driver safety.

T344 Assessing the effectiveness of an in-cab signal reminder device :Assessing the practicability, and effectiveness in reducing 'automatic cancellations' by train drivers, of an in-cab reminder device displaying the aspect of the last signal passed.

T345 Review and development of safe working practices in electrified areas :Prior to working on electrification equipment a sound and systematic approach is required to render the equipment safe. This project reviewed the current practices with the aim of improving safety and efficiency.

T347 Failure management of the rail traffic control system :This project investigates how to improve overall service provision through the better management of failures, by helping the industry to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of a range of future rail traffic control (RTC) options, and the potential impacts of a number of societal trends.

T350 Investigating the design of a display to repeat signal aspects :The aim of this project was to investigate the design of a suitable display that can adequately give advance notice of four-aspect signalling in places of poor sighting. The current banner repeater signal in operation was designed to repeat a two-aspect signal.

T352 Providing human factors input to cab fitment of GSM-R :Providing human factors input to the ergonomic positioning of GSM-R telephones in a variety of cabs.

T358 Understanding the risk of on-board accidents :The project provided further understanding of the causes from on-board accidents resulting from vehicle track interaction causes and assessed actions required to mitigate the risk.

T365 Collecting and analysing railway safety critical communication error data :Understanding the importance, cost and types of safety-critical communications failures involving front-line railway staff by capturing and analysing risk and error data from voice recordings and incident reports.

T368 Reducing SPADs - the role of rail staff other than drivers :Determining which rail staff, other than train drivers, have a role to play in reducing SPADs and identifying ways to help them.

T397 Developing a practical self assessment tool for measuring and managing safety culture :Developing an enhanced self assessment safety culture measurement tool and guidance on how to implement best practice solutions for continuous cultural improvement. This tool has been trialled by rail group members and found to be robust and credible.

T399 Review of human factors risk in rail vehicle maintenance and inspection :This project aimed to identify human factors related safety risks, risk reduction strategies, and options to minimise the cost associated with rail vehicle maintenance and inspection errors.

T422 Completing the set of passenger train safety signage to improve legibility and comprehension :This project designed and tested a set of pictograms for use in safety signage on passenger trains. The symbols supplement those that were delivered by an earlier project.

T424 Requirements for train windows on passenger rail vehicles :This project has identified the performance requirements for windows to reduce passenger injury in accidents, and a recommended passenger egress strategy.

T433 Development and evaluation of improvements to the TPWS to mitigate reset and continue risk :This research produced a prototype train protection and warning system (TPWS) control unit that in simulation tests increased the average number of correct brake demand diagnoses from 65% to 92%, and tested additional safety controls to prevent unauthorised resetting of the brakes.

T435 Development of SPAD risk management tools :This project has rationalised the various tools used in the SPAD risk management process, and now helps rail industry practitioners to decide which tool to use and where to use it.

T443 Improving teamwork on the railway - stakeholder training :Training industry stakeholders to use the toolset generated by the successfully completed project 'T146 - Improving teamwork in the railway'. Demonstrating the ease of use and effectiveness of the tools.

T503 Assessment of train driver dynamic visual ability :An investigation into the change in train drivers' dynamic visual ability (DVA - the ability to detect visual details when moving) with age and train speed.

T506 Safety critical rule compliance toolkit pilot :Validation of the Safety Critical Rule Compliance toolkit for the industry to use to improve compliance with rules and procedures.

T508 SPADs involving empty coaching stock and light locomotives :Investigating the causes of an increase in SPADs relating to empty coaching stock trains and light locomotives. Proposing mitigations to counter the emerging trend.

T513 Feasibility of head-up displays in driving cabs :The value of head-up displays to aviation has been proven, this project assessed whether similar benefits might be realised in the rail sector.

T522 Research into obstacle detection at level crossings :Understanding the potential opportunities and challenges posed by installing obstacle detectors at level crossings in Great Britain by examining the technicalities, logistics, cost and safety benefits of potential solutions.

T530 Review of train head lamps optical requirements :The optical performance of train head lamps will be investigated, and their current acceptability determined. The findings will be used to develop a specification for possible tests, to determine optimum head lamp optical characteristics.

T534 Review of handsignalling operations, communications, and job aids :This research investigated how handsignalling is used at present and the extent to which it could be replaced by other operating methods. It examined how handsignalling risk could be reduced, the Communications Protocol, and the use of scripted communications.

T535 Assessing the impact of increased numbers of CCTV images on driver only operation of trains :Assessing the impact on the safe and effective completion of passenger monitoring and door-closing of train drivers being presented with increased numbers of CCTV views while operating in driver only operation (DOO) mode.

T540 Scoping and development of the Adhesion Management System : This project aims to complete the detailed feasibility studies required to determine whether an Adhesion Management System (AMS) can be successfully implemented on a conventionally signalled railway, and if so, develop a trial system.

T541 Human factors CD ROM version 5 :Disseminating current knowledge about human factors in the railway industry, by publishing a catalogue in the form of a CD ROM. Creating the fifth version of the CD ROM.

T573 Rationalisation of drivers' warnings in the cab :This small project reviewed past and on-going work relating to in-cab warnings received by drivers and identified issues for consideration in designing future cabs.

T595 Causes, risk and mitigation of station stopping incidents :Investigation of the industry's risk management arrangements in relation to 'station stopping incidents', in order to identify good practice and issues to be addressed.

T626 Research into the management of passengers on trains stranded in high ambient temperatures :To establish the operational response when a train is stranded and its passengers are subjected to extreme temperatures.

T628 Driver selection - development phase :The management of a steering group to develop, and revise the current selection process for train drivers in the light of recommendations from T340.

T631 Research into whether ‘Check AWS’ signs have a beneficial impact on driver behaviour at stations :To evaluate whether the ‘Check AWS’ signs used by Arriva Trains Wales have a beneficial impact on driver behaviour at stations where a start-away SPAD risk exists.

T632 Understanding multi-SPAD signals and the effects of line identifiers on driver behaviour :To enhance human factors understanding of multi-SPAD signals and the effects of line identifiers on driver visual behaviour.

T635 An analysis of formal inquiries and investigations to identify human factors issues :This project will analyse data from formal inquiries and investigations to identify human factors issues and help prioritise RSSB’s work programme on behalf of the industry in the human factors field.

T652 Examining the benefits of 'another train coming' warnings at level crossings :Examining the benefits that special warnings that 'Another train is coming' can give to users of level crossings and how these warnings may best be delivered to the user.

T656 Designing for crowd behaviour :Producing guidance for designers and managers of buildings and open spaces where large crowds can be expected.

T669 Simulation of drivers response to junction signalling and its impact on driving and operational performance. :The conclusions in RSSB research project T274, Human-Centred Effective Junction Signalling recommended further work involving human responses to PRIs and DSIs. T669 will refine these recommendations to fewer options for more detailed assessment of drivers' reactions to junction signalling in simulated conditions.

T677 Generating a train driver awareness campaign - FOCUS :Following requests from a number of operators, via the ATOC Driver Managers Group, this work was commissioned to 'convert' previous research information into a presentation that is able to be delivered to drivers, backed up by a booklet and promotional posters with the common theme of 'FOCUS'.

T693 Providing better information during temporary timetable changes :Information on planned service disruptions is presented to the public in various ways; in this project, a range of poster formats was presented to users to see which is most effective.

T698 Human Modelling of Train Cabs & Train Driver Ergonomics :RSSB Human Factors team and Loughborough University collected anthropometric data from 100 train drivers across Britain and measured a Class 43 train cab to establish a 3D data protocol to improve cab design and assessment.

T699 Fatigue and shiftwork for freight locomotive drivers and contract trackworkers :A project to understand the precursors of fatigue and its effects within the track working and freight operating communities, and to provide guidance to industry on how to manage, control and mitigate the risks.

T700 Developing options for further formalisation of voice communications within the rail industry :This project aims to identify the costs and benefits associated with changes to the formalisation of front line staff safety critical communications.

T703 Facilitating shared expectations between passengers and front-line staff :A review of passenger and staff expectations, and of the relevant theory, towards producing materials that will facilitate improvement of the passenger experience and reduce risk of conflict.

T707 Analysing the potential of vehicle activated signs at public road level crossings :Vehicle activated signs (VASs) are widely used within the British road network. The project seeks to establish the efficacy of VASs in preventing blocking back of road traffic over automatic half barrier (AHB) level crossings.

T718 Review of current GB driver training programmes and development of leading practice models for the industry :This research has three phases: 1. Establishment of current practices in driver training; 2. Research into leading practice in the design and delivery of training; 3. The development of a training toolkit, containing a range of enhanced training models and associated guidance, in order to facilitate ongoing improvements in driver training in railway undertakings in Great Britain.

T725 Justification of TPWS modifications identified in reset and continue research :A full cost benefit analysis and detailed functional specification will be developed under this project, to support the industry’s decision about which TPWS modifications to take forward from research project T433.

T800 Human factors catalogue version 6 : This project will bring version 5 of the Human Factors CD ROM up to date, by seeking out relevant human factors research and articles so that abstracts of this work can be included within the CD ROM or memory stick .

T802 Rail industry human factors good practice guide : This guide is an accessible source of human factors information, developed to offer practical advice for designers, suppliers, managers, supervisors, trainers and health and safety staff who work within the railway industry.