An integrated model for working environments and rail human factors

Abstract

„Rail human factors“ represents a subject that has not been given high priority over a certain period of time. However, a number of reasons have led to a special interest in human factors in the railway domain since about the turn of the century: European research has emphasized consideration of several shapes of the subject. In order to enable an overview on ergonomics science in railway applications this paper provides an integrated model that covers a range of rail human factors topics. The scheme is based on a work science related approach for work environments in railway operation. Besides, the model encompasses the psychological aspects of work and the interrelation between variables such as work conditions and desired outputs, i.e. a safe and high performing railway operation. Design of human-machine interfaces, workload analysis and possible attempts for assistance systems are presented as topics currently covered by research of the Institute for Transportation Systems in the German Aerospace Center. An outlook on the domain of rail human factors as well as on further research concludes the paper.