NTL Record

Title Human Factors Considerations in the Evaluation of Processor-Based Signal and Train Control Systems: Human Factors in Railroad Operations
Record ID 42467
Personal Name
Creator
Wreathall, John; Roth, Emilie; Bley, Dennis; Multer, Jordan
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and Development
Publisher United States. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and Development
Publication Date 20070601
Language English
Abstract In August 2001, the Federal Railroad Administration issued the notice of proposed rulemaking: Standards for Development and Use of Processor-Based Signal and Train Control Systems (49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 236). This proposed rule addresses the design and implementation of processor-based train control systems. Under the proposed rule, a railroad wishing to implement a positive train control (PTC) system in revenue service must develop and submit a product safety plan (PSP) and assess the risk associated with the new system. This report attempts to fill the gap provided by the lack of knowledge about the kinds of human performance challenges and safety risks that will occur with these proposed systems. To fill this gap, the authors identified human factors issues that arose in other industries where similar kinds of technology and human-machine interfaces were used. This literature review, along with an analysis of PTC-preventable accidents, served as the basis for structuring interviews with employees at several railroads that had experience with train control technology containing elements of PTC. The answers to these questions provide the reader with a roadmap of human performance issues to consider in preparing or evaluating a PSP, along with the implications for risk.
Rosap ID dot:36458
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/36458
TRT Terms Communications; Risk assessment; Automatic train control; Positive train control; Decision making; Human factors; Railroad safety; Safety; Crashes
General Subjects Research Hub; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors
Classification NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety
Geographical
Coverage
United States
OCLC 182556020
TRIS Online
Accession No
01055577
Contract Number RR04/CB101
Report Number DOT/FRA/ORD-07/07; DOT-VNTSC-FRA-07-05
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/42000/42400/42467/dot_36458_DS1_20180810.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository