Human factor methodological framework. Deliverable D2.5 of the SAFER-LC Project

Kurzfassung

This deliverable presents the revised version of the Human Factors (HF) methodological framework which has been developed in the SAFER-LC project as part of Work Package 2 (WP2). The objective of Task 2.2 of WP2 is to develop a Human Factors methodological framework to evaluate the effectiveness of selected safety measures in terms of making level crossings (LCs) more self-explaining and forgiving, and hence increasing their safety. The methodological framework includes a practical Human Factors Assessment Tool (HFAT) accompanied by an implementation guide which presents how the HFAT can be used in a real case study. The purpose of this deliverable is to summarise the theoretical background of the Human Factors methodological framework and the development process of the first version of the Human Factors Assessment Tool. In addition, this deliverable aims to explain how the HFAT was adjusted and updated in the second part of the project based on feedback obtained during the HFAT testing phase in four of the project’s pilot tests, covering 14 measures. The overall objectives and structure of this deliverable is described in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 reviews and summarises the most important theoretical aspects of the Human Factors methodological framework in the LC context. The framework was developed in line with the principles self-explaining and forgiving infrastructure and by considering LCs as socio-technical systems, where individual road users and the technical infrastructure interact. Models on human information processing and human behaviour in terms of errors and violations at LCs have also been considered. These theoretical aspects represent the theoretical backbone of the HFAT, and were presented in detail in deliverable D2.2 (Havârneanu et al., 2018). Further, Chapter 3 shows how the HFAT was applied in the SAFER-LC pilot tests and presents the feedback received from the pilot test leaders. The two-step evaluation of the HFAT by the pilot test leaders was a useful and productive exercise. It allowed collecting valuable inputs, suggestions and ideas on how to improve specific parts of the tool. While most of the evaluation feedback was taken into account during the HFAT revision process, not all received suggestions could be implemented within the SAFER-LC timeframe and resources. Other suggestions were subject to group discussion during the project meetings and were implemented only partially, following the collective decision. Chapter 4 explains the differences between the first version of the tool and the revised version. Based on the received feedback, changes concerned only the classification criteria (orange form) and the criteria to assess the behavioural safety effects (green forms). Major changes involved the revision of effect mechanism list in the classification criteria table and the regrouping of areas of psychological function in assessment of behavioural safety effects. Chapter 5 provides an overall discussion of the HFAT, its strengths and limitations, its current utility as a stand-alone methodology, and possible directions in its further development. For example, the HFAT could be used in the future as a checklist to support the consideration of human factors perspective in the evaluation of LC safety measures. The HFAT will also be included in the SAFERLC toolbox, accessible through a user-friendly interface.