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Railroads

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Distraction: Definition and Examples

What is a Distraction?

Distractions take attention away from what an operator needs to do when performing a task. Distractions can be external (such as noise) or internal (such as fatigue, rumination, or stress).  

Distractions may be caused by a number of...

Resources

The Resources page helps you find Rail Network Development resources by topic. The available resources include instructional and educational videos, presentations from past Rail Program Delivery conferences, oversight guidance (Monitoring Procedures), FRA reports and guidance documents, and...

Tasks & Demands

What Operators Do

Operators are workers who perform tasks to operate a rail system. This includes locomotive engineers and conductors, as well as dispatchers and yard supervisors. Engineers and conductors have five demands on their attention as they operate a locomotive....

Attention: Definition and Examples

What is attention?

Attention is the behavior a person uses to focus the senses, from sight to hearing and even smell. It may focus on information that matters outside of the cab (e.g., signals, traffic), inside the cab (e.g., displays, controls), or on...

FRA Rail Program Delivery Video Series

The FRA Rail Program Delivery Video Series provides grantees and loan recipients with guidance on key aspects of Rail Program Delivery. Click on the categories below to view the available videos.

Capital Cost Estimating Guidance

FRA’s FINAL CAPITAL COST ESTIMATING GUIDANCE IS AVAILABLE HERE

FRA developed this capital cost estimating guidance for project sponsors and the railroad industry as part of its continuing efforts to provide technical assistance and ensure successful project delivery.

By...

Railroad 101 Videos

For FRA grantees, these videos introduce basic railroad concepts related to train types and performance, track configuration, basic operations, and signaling systems. This series is invaluable for grantees planning and designing new and improved passenger rail service.

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Welcome to eLearning!

Are you aware of the factors such as fatigue, stress, and distraction that affect human performance in rail transportation? Use this site to learn about attention. Learn why it is important to understand what attention is, why it matters, and how to manage it effectively in...