An Introduction to Human Systems Integration in the U.S. Railroad Industry

This paper describes and explores what Human Systems Integration is with regard to the U.S. railroad industry, how HSI can be of benefit when this systematic, organization-wide approach is used to implement new technology and modernize existing systems.

Shared Situation Awareness as a Contributor to High Reliability Performance in Railroad Operations

This paper discusses design implications for leveraging new digital technologies and location-finding systems to more effectively support informal strategies, enhance shared situation awareness, and promote high reliability performance

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Toward the Development of a Performance Model of Railroad Dispatching

This paper reviews literature on the job of railroad dispatching and summarizes research conducted to identify and document railroad dispatcher tasks and activities.

An Examination of the Yardmaster’s Role in Railroad Yard Safety

This paper describes the results of focus groups with 56 railroad yardmasters to identify yardmaster-related factors that have the potential to affect yard safety.

The Efficacy of Behavior-based Safety in the U.S. Railroad Industry: Evidence from Amtrak-Chicago

Using an integrated process of data and modeling in HRA

The paper describes an approach taken to estimate the probabilities of failure associated with various railroad tasks to prevent accidents (principally collisions and derailments). These probabilities were estimated using an expert elicitation process that used partially relevant data available...

Fatigue models as practical tools: diagnostic accuracy and decision thresholds.

This paper provides an exploratory assessment of the effectiveness of participatory rules revisions as an instrument of safety improvement in the U.S. railroad industry. The findings suggest that participatory rules revision, when it includes preparatory activities, is a promising strategy for...

Impacts of Participatory Safety Rules Revision in U.S. Railorad Industry.

This paper provides an exploratory assessment of the effectiveness of participatory rules revisions as an instrument of safety improvement in the U.S. railroad industry. The findings suggest that participatory rules revision, when it includes preparatory activities, is a promising strategy for...

Fatigue and alertness in the United states railroad industry, Part II: Fatigue research in the Office of Research and Development at the FRA.

FRA's Office of R&D has embarked upon a Fatigue Research Program that will systematically assess the many underlying factors that result in fatigue and reduced alertness, and develop appropriate tools that will assist the industry in developing its own effective fatigue management...

"Reliance" and "Distraction" Effects in PTC Automation

This document was requested on 3/3/99 by the PTC Human Factors Team of the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) as part of the ongoing discussions of PTC standards. 

Questions have been raised about the possible propensity for a locomotive engineer or conductor to become over-reliant...