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            In This Section
        eLearning: Attention
                The Attention Game
                Attention & Distraction
                                Attention: Definition and Examples
                Tasks & Demands
                Distraction: Definition and Examples
                Strategies to Manage Distractions
                The Cost of Distraction
                                First person: Distraction and its Consequences
                Attention Related Accidents
                BNSF coal train collision
                Metrolink 111 collision with UP. Chatsworth. Sept 2008
                Canadian National collision, Two Harbors MN Sept 2010.
                HiRail collision, Rockville, MD. Jan 2010
                Rear end collision, Mineral Springs NC
                Pedestrian fatality, West Jordan, UT
                Rear end collision, Westville IN
                Derailment, Bronx NY Dec 2013
                Port Authority collision, Hoboken NJ, May 2011
                Santiago de Compostela derailment, July 2013
                Amtrak 188 Derailment May 2015
                Bad Aibling, GER Collision, February 2016
                Human Systems Integration
                                Overview
                Human Factors Engineering
                Safety
                Training
                HSI Topics
                                User Centered Design
                Examples of Well-Designed Process & Technologies
                HSI Guidelines
                                Rail
                Air
                Road
                Displays
                HSI Resources
                                Tools
                Bibliography
                HSI Methods
                                Overview
                Field Observation
                Link Analysis
                Functional Analysis
                Activity Analysis
                Workload Assessment
                Cognitive Task Analysis
                Verbal Protocol Analysis
                Rapid Prototyping
                Experimentation
                Usability Assessment
                
                Tasks & Demands
    

    
    
          A conductor operating a train.Used by permission of Transdev, Inc.What Operators Do

Operators are workers who perform tasks to operate a rail system. This includes locomotive engineers and conductors, as well as dispatchers and yard supervisors. Engineers and conductors have five demands on their attention as they operate a locomotive.

**Compliance**- Pay attention to task requirements set by regulatory authorities
	**Orientation**- Pay attention to location on route, such as train position with respect to signals
	**Prioritization**- Choose among tasks and requirements according to how important they are
	**Redundancy**- Pay attention to tasks fellow operators (such as conductors) perform
	**Vigilant monitor**- Pay attention to potential threats to the safe performance of assigned tasksWhat System Developers Do to Support Rail Operators

Researchers who work for rail original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) develop new systems for rail operators to use. Good workload assessmentshows what operators do on the job. Good rapid prototyping and participatory designcan be used to manage display layout and content. The goal is to provide enough information for the operator to make timely, accurate decisions, but not too much to confuse and overload the operator.

Resource Location-Find relevant, current human systems integration(HSI) informationApplication-Effectively use HSI information to develop improved systems, workstations, displays and controlsDesign-Conceive systems, displays and workstations that reflect operator decision making and related skillsPrioritization-Choose among operator tasks and requirements according to their importanceQuantification-Develop, use numerical values to measure aspects of operator performance, including attentionTraining-Enable operator to improve their performance as vigilant monitors
              Source
      
                              
                  
                  Nemeth, C., Papautsky, L., Grome, A. & Fallon, C. (2014). Computer-Based Training in Human-Systems Integration . Technical Report. Federal Railroad Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Washington, DC. 20590
      
    
          Last updated: Tuesday, December 3, 2019 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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