Review of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Research and Development Program (2020) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 37-48
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From page 37... ...
37 3 Human Factors The Human Factors Division's research is organized in two general areas, each consisting of subareas of work. One of the two general areas concerns the human performance of locomotive engineers, train crews, maintenanceof-way workers, and other railroad personnel who can affect the safe operation of trains and the safe condition of track.
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From page 38... ...
38 REVIEW OF FRA'S R&D PROGRAM then examined the extent to which project selections and program emphasis areas appear to align with what the incident data suggest are the most significant safety concerns pertaining to human performance. The subcommittee then considered how other methods and criteria are used for setting priorities, including engaging with FRA's Office of Railroad Safety (RRS)
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From page 39... ...
HUMAN FACTORS 39 shoving movements when the human at the lead of the train or cut of cars failed to maintain control (8 percent) , movements through a switch that had been previously run through (7 percent)
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From page 40... ...
40 REVIEW OF FRA'S R&D PROGRAM signs, signals, and other objects in the path of locomotives. Another project has been investigating a new type of heads-up display that will result in improved engineer/conductor situational awareness of critical events and automation transitions.
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From page 41... ...
HUMAN FACTORS 41 planning to ensure more effective use of this resource, particularly by communicating its utility to industry to attract more industry interest and collaboration. FRA recently issued a strategic plan that emphasizes the creation of a CTIL research agenda that is informed by an understanding of industry needs and that emphasizes more active communications and marketing with industry.
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From page 42... ...
42 REVIEW OF FRA'S R&D PROGRAM coverage encourages suicide attempts, and cooperating with railroads and public agencies to disseminate information on the effectiveness of potential countermeasures. The subcommittee was informed that FRA RD&T funding for gradecrossing and trespasser research is programmed and administered by the Train Control and Communications Division, including projects to ensure safe interaction of road vehicles with trains at grade crossings and the use of AI and machine learning for identifying risky trespasser behavior around railroad tracks and crossings.
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From page 43... ...
HUMAN FACTORS 43 an important source of data for human factors research and to prompt more collaborative research with industry. In addition, it may be considered one pathway for reducing concerns in the railroad industry about joint efforts to improve safety outcomes alongside the research division within its regulatory agency without being penalized for being candid about potential precursors to serious incidents.
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From page 44... ...
44 REVIEW OF FRA'S R&D PROGRAM EXTERNAL VIEWS ON RESEARCH RELEVANCE AND IMPACT To obtain insight on how others view the relevance, impact, and reach of the Human Factors Division's work, the subcommittee consulted with researchers who had worked on projects funded by the division, a longtime FRA official from a regional office, and representatives from commuter railroads. The commentary was largely positive, as the work supported by the division was consistently described as high quality, relevant to industry needs, and likely to produce early safety benefits, particularly in the case of suicide and trespassing prevention.
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From page 45... ...
HUMAN FACTORS 45 OBSERVATIONS Trespassing and Suicide Countermeasures Program Holds Promise All indications are that the Human Factors Division's ongoing programs to identify, implement, and evaluate trespassing and suicide prevention countermeasures are coordinated effectively through partnerships with and implementations by railroads. Inasmuch as trespassing and suicide prevention are major concerns for operators of transit rail and highway systems, opportunities may exist for wider application of this knowledge through increased coordination with FTA, FHWA, the public transportation industry, and state transportation departments, as well as with the Train Control and Communications Division, which programs research related to this topic.
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From page 46... ...
46 REVIEW OF FRA'S R&D PROGRAM SLSI Is a Success Story With a relatively small budget (about $2.5 million per year) provided by the Human Factors Division, the SLSI has provided a needed focus on improving the organizational safety culture of smaller freight railroads.
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From page 47... ...
HUMAN FACTORS 47 investigates the integration of humans and automated systems, and seeks reductions in trespassing, grade-crossing, and suicide incidents is likely to be of keen interest to FTA and FHWA, both of which oversee transportation modes that have these same needs and interests. With this goal in mind of expanding the reach and influence of the Human Factors Division, the subcommittee, in concurrence with the full study committee, recommends that RD&T ensure that the Human Factors Division • Becomes more involved in the design, development, and programming of research projects across FRA's RD&T portfolio; and • Engages more frequently with other U.S.
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From page 48... ...
48 REVIEW OF FRA'S R&D PROGRAM ANNEX TABLE 3A-1 Human Factors Division Projects, 2019 Human Factors Division Project Title Funding Project Duration The Impact of Commute Times on the Fatigue and Safety of Locomotive Engineers $180,000 May 2018–December 2020 New Jersey Transit RunThrough Switch Project $200,000 October 2016–June 2019 Railroaders' Guide to Healthy Sleep Website www.railroadersleep.org $600,000 April 2015–March 2020 Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Worker Fatigue $150,000 May 2016–June 2019 Head-Up Display (HUD)
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