Projects per year
Abstract
Collisions between trains and road vehicles at rail level crossings remain an intractable transport safety issue. This paper describes the application of Rasmussen’s ecological interface design (EID) principles to the development of a novel ‘passive’ rail level crossing prototype design and its evaluation using two driving simulator studies. Study 1 involved the design of the prototype EID crossing. Study 2 compared the EID crossing design with a standard ‘active’ rail level crossing with red flashing lights under normal conditions and Study 3 compared the crossings under conditions of driver distraction and technology failure. The findings show that under normal conditions, the EID crossing produced more cautious speed on approach than the standard design, but similar patterns of decision-making. Under conditions of distraction and failure, participants again demonstrated more cautious speed profiles on approach when encountering the EID design. Importantly, in technology failure conditions, the EID design appeared to encourage participants to engage in higher level problem-solving, which was not seen in response to the standard crossing. It is concluded that the EID crossing may be more able to support adaptive decision-making under conditions of failure or uncertainty.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3-21 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Cognition, Technology & Work |
Volume | 23 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
Keywords
- Driving simulation
- Ecological interface design
- Highway-rail grade crossings
- Rail level crossings
- Transportation safety
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Application of contemporary systems-based methods to reduce trauma at rail level crossings
Lenne, M., Salmon, P. M. & Stanton, N. A.
Australian Research Council (ARC), Victorian Rail Track (trading as VicTrack) (Victoria) , Transport Safety Victoria, Transport Victoria, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Roads Corporation (trading as VicRoads) (Victoria) , V/Line Corporation (Victoria)
1/07/10 → 1/07/15
Project: Research