Key Technology-Related Human Factors Issues

• Published in: Evaluation of Rail Technology pp. 9 - 22
• Main Author: Bearman, Chris
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United Kingdom Routledge 2013; Taylor & Francis Group
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Ergonomics; Occupational / industrial health & safety; Technical design; Human Factors Research; Rail Industry; Workstation Design; Rail Operators; Positive Train Control; Rail Accident; Maximising Network Capacities; Cab Environment; Red Signal; Rail Technology; Train Drivers; Red Aspect; Rail Operations; Train Protection Warning System; Situation Awareness; Subjective Situation Awareness; Significant Economic Losses; Physical Design; Human Factors Issues; Train Control; Driver Error; Shared Situation Awareness; Measuring Situation Awareness; Warning System
• ISBN: 9781409442431; 9781138074200; 1409442438; 1138074209
• DOI: 10.1201/9781315581217-2

This chapter introduces a number of technology-related human factors issues that need to be considered when introducing a technology. It is important then to understand the potential technology-related human factors issues associated with introducing new technology so that the potential for error can be determined and a thorough evaluation of the risks can be made. A wide range of technology-related human factors issues have been discussed in relation to rail technologies. While the human factors issues that have been identified so far are specific to particular technologies, a more general set of issues can be derived that together provide an introduction to some of the basic technology-related human factors issues. On the basis of an extensive review of human factors research, Multer, Rudich and Yearwood (1998) have produced a comprehensive set of guidelines for evaluating the physical design of the cab environment, cab layout and workstation design.