From interfaces to infrastructure: extending ecological interface design to re‑design rail level crossings

Gemma J M Read; Vanessa Beanland; Neville A Stanton; Eryn L Grant; Nicholas J Stevens; Michael G Lenne; Miles Thomas; Christine M Mulvihill; Guy H Walker; Paul M Salmon

doi:10.1007/s10111-019-00583-2

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From interfaces to infrastructure: extending ecological interface design to re‑design rail level crossings

Journal article

Peer reviewed

From interfaces to infrastructure: extending ecological interface design to re‑design rail level crossings

Gemma J M Read, Vanessa Beanland, Neville A Stanton, Eryn L Grant, Nicholas J Stevens, Michael G Lenne, Miles Thomas, Christine M Mulvihill, Guy H Walker and Paul M Salmon

Cognition, Technology & Work, Vol.23(1), pp.3-21

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-019-00583-2

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Abstract

ecological interface design

driving simulation

highway-rail grade crossings

rail level crossings

transportation safety

Collisions between trains and road vehicles at rail level crossings remain an intractable transport safety issue. This paper describes the application of Rasmussen's ecological interface design (EID) principles to the development of a novel 'pas-sive' rail level crossing prototype design and its evaluation using two driving simulator studies. Study 1 involved the design of the prototype EID crossing. Study 2 compared the EID crossing design with a standard 'active' rail level crossing with red flashing lights under normal conditions and Study 3 compared the crossings under conditions of driver distraction and technology failure. The findings show that under normal conditions, the EID crossing produced more cautious speed on approach than the standard design, but similar patterns of decision-making. Under conditions of distraction and failure, par-ticipants again demonstrated more cautious speed profiles on approach when encountering the EID design. Importantly, in technology failure conditions, the EID design appeared to encourage participants to engage in higher level problem-solving, which was not seen in response to the standard crossing. It is concluded that the EID crossing may be more able to support adaptive decision-making under conditions of failure or uncertainty.

Details

Title: From interfaces to infrastructure: extending ecological interface design to re‑design rail level crossings
Authors: Gemma J M Read (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Vanessa Beanland (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Neville A Stanton (Author) - University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Eryn L Grant (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Nicholas J Stevens (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Michael G Lenne (Author) - Monash University
Miles Thomas (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Christine M Mulvihill (Author) - Monash University
Guy H Walker (Author) - Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom
Paul M Salmon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Cognition, Technology & Work, Vol.23(1), pp.3-21
Publisher: Springer UK
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1007/s10111-019-00583-2
ISSN: 1435-5558; 1435-5566
Organisation Unit: Bioclimatic and Sociotechnical Cities Lab; Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451380602621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Industrial; Ergonomics