title: An investigation into the factors affecting the perception of a train's travelling speed

authors: Clark, Helen Elizabeth

subjects: train

abstract: Collisions between cars and trains at railway level crossing junctions continue to occur worldwide, despite efforts to reduce their frequency with educational and practical measures.  Many of these collisions occur with car drivers attempting to cross the track in front of an approaching train. The size-speed illusion, first reported by Leibowitz (1985) is a phenomenon whereby larger vehicles appear to move slower than smaller vehicles travelling at the same speed.  Clark et al (2013) tested the illusion using laboratory-based experiments, and found that observers routinely underestimated the relative speed of a train, when compared with a smaller vehicle (car).  No specific reason for the occurrence of the size-speed illusion has been postulated, but Leibowitz suggested that observer eye movement patterns could be an underlying cause of the illusion.
The aim of this thesis was to investigate how observer eye movement patterns influence the size-speed illusion, and consequently the underestimation of a large vehicle’s speed.  Experiment 1 tested observers’ perceived judgement of simulated trains and cars approaching in depth in a controlled laboratory setting, with eye movements recorded by an eye tracker. Results confirmed the size-speed illusion and eye movement data showed that patterns of saccades, fixations and smooth pursuit behaviours differed in the case of the longer train, with initial saccades being made to a region further from the front of the train.
Experiment 2 and 3 isolated the main types of eye movement patterns that our observers displayed and sought to test whether manipulation of these had an effect on the illusion.  Experiment 2 found that manipulating smooth pursuit patterns by placing a target on the front of a long moving object eliminated the illusion.  Experiment 3 found that manipulation of fixation and saccadic behaviours with stationary foreground stimuli also reduced the magnitude of the illusion but did not eliminate it entirely.
The final experiment trialled three countermeasures designed to replicate the effects of manipulating eye movement patterns as shown in Experiments 2 and 3.  Results showed that the intervention based on manipulation of smooth pursuit (alternating flashing lights on the front of a train) was the most effective in reducing the effects of the size-speed illusion.
Our results indicate that the use of countermeasures which have the effect of changing eye movement behaviour is most effective in reducing underestimations of a train’s perceived speed, which, hopefully in future, help reduce level crossing collisions.

text: An investigation into the factors affecting the perception of a train's travelling speed Collisions between cars and trains at railway level crossing junctions continue to occur worldwide, despite efforts to reduce their frequency with educational and practical measures.  Many of these collisions occur with car drivers attempting to cross the track in front of an approaching train. The size-speed illusion, first reported by Leibowitz (1985) is a phenomenon whereby larger vehicles appear to move slower than smaller vehicles travelling at the same speed.  Clark et al (2013) tested the illusion using laboratory-based experiments, and found that observers routinely underestimated the relative speed of a train, when compared with a smaller vehicle (car).  No specific reason for the occurrence of the size-speed illusion has been postulated, but Leibowitz suggested that observer eye movement patterns could be an underlying cause of the illusion.
The aim of this thesis was to investigate how observer eye movement patterns influence the size-speed illusion, and consequently the underestimation of a large vehicle’s speed.  Experiment 1 tested observers’ perceived judgement of simulated trains and cars approaching in depth in a controlled laboratory setting, with eye movements recorded by an eye tracker. Results confirmed the size-speed illusion and eye movement data showed that patterns of saccades, fixations and smooth pursuit behaviours differed in the case of the longer train, with initial saccades being made to a region further from the front of the train.
Experiment 2 and 3 isolated the main types of eye movement patterns that our observers displayed and sought to test whether manipulation of these had an effect on the illusion.  Experiment 2 found that manipulating smooth pursuit patterns by placing a target on the front of a long moving object eliminated the illusion.  Experiment 3 found that manipulation of fixation and saccadic behaviours with stationary foreground stimuli also reduced the magnitude of the illusion but did not eliminate it entirely.
The final experiment trialled three countermeasures designed to replicate the effects of manipulating eye movement patterns as shown in Experiments 2 and 3.  Results showed that the intervention based on manipulation of smooth pursuit (alternating flashing lights on the front of a train) was the most effective in reducing the effects of the size-speed illusion.
Our results indicate that the use of countermeasures which have the effect of changing eye movement behaviour is most effective in reducing underestimations of a train’s perceived speed, which, hopefully in future, help reduce level crossing collisions.

year: 2017

title: Decolonising Qualitative Analysis: Collectively Weaving Understanding Using Talanoa and Fa’afaletui Pacific-Indigenous Research Methods

authors: Mafile’o, T

abstract: Sense-making processes shape the messages and impacts of qualitative research. Using qualitative data analysis methods embedded within a Pacific-Indigenous research paradigm decolonises research. This article discusses the Pacific-Indigenous data analysis processes of talanoa and fa’afaletui employed within a study of Pacific elder care in Aotearoa New Zealand, conducted by scholars of Pacific/Moana heritage. While research literature has primarily identified talanoa and fa’afaletui as data collection methods, we discuss our use of talanoa and fa’afaletui as methods of analysis. Talanoa and fa’afaletui were engaged as collective processes of orality weaving understanding from the researchers’ lived experiences and navigating across languages. Enhancing authenticity and actionability are identified as benefits of talanoa and fa’afaletui collective data analysis. Considerations for implementing these methods are language, logistics and location.

text: Decolonising Qualitative Analysis: Collectively Weaving Understanding Using Talanoa and Fa’afaletui Pacific-Indigenous Research Methods Sense-making processes shape the messages and impacts of qualitative research. Using qualitative data analysis methods embedded within a Pacific-Indigenous research paradigm decolonises research. This article discusses the Pacific-Indigenous data analysis processes of talanoa and fa’afaletui employed within a study of Pacific elder care in Aotearoa New Zealand, conducted by scholars of Pacific/Moana heritage. While research literature has primarily identified talanoa and fa’afaletui as data collection methods, we discuss our use of talanoa and fa’afaletui as methods of analysis. Talanoa and fa’afaletui were engaged as collective processes of orality weaving understanding from the researchers’ lived experiences and navigating across languages. Enhancing authenticity and actionability are identified as benefits of talanoa and fa’afaletui collective data analysis. Considerations for implementing these methods are language, logistics and location.

year: 2024

title: Transformation and visual arts: Donn Rātana in conversation with Claire Coleman

authors: Coleman, Claire

abstract: Interviewed by colleague and friend Claire Coleman, Donn Rātana recounts the creationof  various artworks, his interest in the concept of transformation and his approach to artmaking.A full-time artist and part-time art educator, Donn’s approach to life and work (which is also life) is:
•developing positive relationships
•valuing individual’s contribution to ‘life’
•fanning the ashes of the creative process
•manaakitanga

text: Transformation and visual arts: Donn Rātana in conversation with Claire Coleman Interviewed by colleague and friend Claire Coleman, Donn Rātana recounts the creationof  various artworks, his interest in the concept of transformation and his approach to artmaking.A full-time artist and part-time art educator, Donn’s approach to life and work (which is also life) is:
•developing positive relationships
•valuing individual’s contribution to ‘life’
•fanning the ashes of the creative process
•manaakitanga

year: 2022