Effects of Expertise for Automatic Train Operations

Kurzfassung

We aimed at investigating the effects of automatic speed control and expertise on train driver performance in unexpected, non-routine situations in the railway domain. Research from other domains suggested increasing levels of automation to exert detrimental effects on non- routine performance. In addition, research about the role of expertise in different levels of railway automation is scarce. We assessed the reaction times of 26 train drivers to critical non-routine events in a high fidelity railway simulator featuring manual and automatic speed control. We reported longer reaction times to non-routine situations under automatic speed control. Based on occupational experience data we found more experienced train drivers to adapt their reliance on automation more accurately to the automation reliability level resulting in an interaction trend in terms of non- routine performance. These results highlight performance consequences of automatic speed control in railway operations and offer insights on how existing expertise needs to be taken into account when introducing automatic speed control into the railway domain.