ERTMS in Holland: overview of human factors issues in a pilot with Dual Signalling

In 2014 the Ministry of Transport formulated a strategy for implementation of ERTMS in Holland. Prior to decision-making a pilot with ERTMS in commercial train service was performed on the track between the cities of Amsterdam... [ view full abstract ]

In 2014 the Ministry of Transport formulated a strategy for implementation of ERTMS in Holland. Prior to decision-making a pilot with ERTMS in commercial train service was performed on the track between the cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht. The pilot started March 2014 and ends June 2015. The track from Amsterdam to Utrecht is a track with a high train density. The pilot was performed with so called Dual Signalling. This means that the track was provided with both conventional signals and conventional train protection system (ATB) and with ETCS level 2. Train service was performed with a mixture of trains with ATB and trains with the ETCS train protection system. Another aspect was the difference in speed limits: ATB 140 km/h and ETCS 160 km/h. When driving with ETCS train drivers weren’t allowed to ignore all line side signals.

The pilot is evaluated with about 180 research items. About 20 items are related to human factors.
Human factors research items were:
• Driving behaviour of the train driver
• Workload of the train driver
• Probability of human error when driving a train
• Habituation of the train driver to the train protection system in place
• Visibility of line side signals with regard to differences in speed limits
• Differences in ETCS DMI’s in the trains involved in the pilot
• Differences in train dispatching with regard to the train protection system under which the train is running
• Workload of train dispatchers
• Probability of human error in train dispatching
• Influence of malfunction or failure of conventional or ETCS equipment on the train driver
• Influence of malfunction or failure of conventional or ETCS equipment on the train dispatcher
• Influence of malfunction or failure of conventional or ETCS equipment on maintenance processes and maintenance organisations.

The paper gives an overview of results of the human factors research performed in the pilot.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
This abstract considers an on-going human factors research which will reported to the Ministry of Transport in Holland in August 2015.
Intergo has signed a non disclosure agreement, so we cannot give explicit information at this time. According to schedule the report about this human factors research will be made public in August 2015. This means that we are not able to submit a full paper on June 19th 2015.
Please let us know whether this is acceptable for your organisation.

The results of the pilot with ERTMS with Dual Signalling in Holland can be applicable in other countries.