Journal article
The crash at Kerang: Investigating systemic and psychological factors leading to unintentional non-compliance at rail level crossings
Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol.50, p.1278–1288
2013
Abstract
In 2007 a loaded semi-trailer truck struck a passenger train on a railway level crossing in Northern Victoria, Australia, killing eleven train passengers. Although the incident was formally investigated, why the truck driver proceeded through the crossing in the presence of a train remains unexplained. This article uses two juxtaposed Human Factors approaches to provide insight into the contributory factors underlying the incident. A systems analysis framework is used to examine the rail level crossing system in which the incident occurred and an individual psychological schema theory account is used to examine the failures which led the truck driver to proceed through the crossing in the presence of a train. The findings suggest that the primary cause of the incident was a looked-but-failed-to-see error driven by a faulty activation of schema error, leading the truck driver to assume initially that the crossing was in fact in a non-activated state with no train present. Moreover, various system-wide factors that shaped the rail level crossing 'system' and thus the incident are identified.
Details
- Title
- The crash at Kerang: Investigating systemic and psychological factors leading to unintentional non-compliance at rail level crossings
- Authors
- Paul M Salmon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and BusinessGemma J M Read (Author) - Monash UniversityNeville A Stanton (Author) - University of South Hampton, United KingdomM G Lenne (Author) - Monash University
- Publication details
- Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol.50, p.1278–1288
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd.
- Date published
- 2013
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.aap.2012.09.029
- ISSN
- 0001-4575
- Organisation Unit
- Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Psychology; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450298102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ergonomics
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
- Transportation
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