On Human Factors in the Design of Locomotive Cab: An Investigation on Driver’s Cognitive and Behavioral Characteristics

Abstract

In this paper an investigation on locomotive drivers' cognitive and behavioral characteristics is conducted and advice for the redesign of locomotive cab considering human factors is proposed. The results of the investigation show that most behaviors of locomotive driving are skill-and rule-based, and previous behavior template plays an important role in locomotive driving, with an obvious process of information feed-forward. Though the operation comfort degree of all the mentioned joysticks is rated low, no significant correlation between controller's operability and driver's age, driving experience, handedness or educational level is found. Significant correlation and no variance are found between the speedometer and speed graphic curves on the monitor, indicating both ways for displaying running speed information should coexist to provide necessary information redundancy. According to driver's characteristics, advice on locomotive cab redesign is proposed with focuses on ergonomic performance, consistency and readability, explicitness and simplicity, and error prevention.