Volpe Center: Human Factors Division

PROJECTS:

Human/Computer Interface In High Speed Rail Demonstration

The application of advanced automation to the U.S. passenger and freight rail systems represents a unique challenge. As the U.S. moves toward high-speed passenger rail service, questions have emerged regarding the appropriate configuration of automation in the locomotive cab. Recent advances in technology hold the promise of achieving safety and productivity gains through in-cab automation, with minimal reliance on trackside infrastructure. The Federal Railroad Administration has initiated this research to gain a better understanding of the implications of cab automation on human operator performance. At the heart of the matter are the questions of what tasks are appropriate for a human to perform, what tasks are appropriate for a computer to perform, and what tasks should be shared. These choices may have signigficant safety implications.

Jordan Multer, Ph.D., Project Manager

Project Details

Slideshow Version (PPT, 433KB) | PDF Version (PDF, 856KB)

Return to Top