The Human Factor in Grades of Automation Level 2

Abstract

This talk presents recent research and insights from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on human factors in railway automation, with a focus on Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2). While GoA2 introduces significant opportunities for operational efficiency, it also creates new challenges for train drivers, whose roles shift from active manual control toward supervisory tasks. The presentation highlights findings from task analyses and simulator studies that reveal increased monotony, reduced workload, and a heightened risk of fatigue and loss of situation awareness under GoA2 conditions. These effects underline the need for preserving perceptual, cognitive, and interactive skills despite reduced manual engagement.

To mitigate skill decay and maintain driver readiness, the talk outlines strategic interventions including mandatory manual driving, enhanced communication routines, and simulator-based disruption training. Additionally, the presentation discusses user interface design considerations aimed at supporting sustained attention and improving situation awareness in semi-automated contexts.

A complementary study on vigilance detection is presented, employing an array of psychophysiological sensors such as EEG, heart rate variability, eye-tracking, and skin conductance to measure fatigue and cognitive readiness in both simulation and real-world test environments. The results underscore the potential of multimodal sensor systems for monitoring mental workload and fatigue in operational settings.

The talk concludes with an outlook toward higher automation levels (GoA3/4), emphasizing user-centered remote operator workplace design and continued integration of human factors expertise into automation development.