The Human Factor in Metro Operations: Determining the Driver's Condition During Pre-Departure Procedures
Keywords:
rail transport, human operator, automated control, ergatic system, psychophysiological state of the driver, testingAbstract
The article analyzes the influence of the human factor on the reliability and safety of metro operations, focusing on the methods for assessing the psychophysiological state of train drivers before the start of a work shift. The study examines the current system of human factor monitoring implemented in the Kyiv Metro and emphasizes the need for objective diagnostic tools in daily safety control. Experimental research based on Schulte-Gorbov tables was conducted to evaluate attention stability, perception speed, and cognitive response of metro drivers. A month-long self-testing experiment performed before and after shifts revealed statistically significant differences depending on the driver’s condition - normal, drowsy, or fatigued. The analysis demonstrated that fatigue and reduced alertness lead to slower reaction time and lower concentration, negatively affecting driving safety. The results confirm the effectiveness of the Schulte test as a practical tool for monitoring the psychophysiological readiness of metro drivers and for preventing human-factor-related errors during transport operations.
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