Rail Human Factors

A focus on humans.
Usability first in tomorrow‘s rail operations.

No matter how the technology of railway systems will be designed in the future: People will be an indispensable part of the system. At the DLR Institute of Transportation Systems, we are researching and developing innovative concepts for human-technology interaction in today’s and tomorrow’s rail transport.

Study of Remote Train Operation (RTO) in the project 5G Living Lab
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Our research is based on three cornerstones:

  • Understanding the user and identifying requirements
  • Evaluating existing systems
  • Developing and testing new concepts

We support manufacturers and operators in the railway system in matters relating to the user-friendly design of existing and future operating systems. We investigate new job roles and workplaces in ATO systems and specify requirements for human-technology interaction and work organisation. We help with the implementation of HOF in accordance with EU Directives 89/391, 2016/798.

Our capabilities range from basic studies and applied research with the RailSET® driving simulator and RTO workplace simulations to the support of pilot projects and field tests. Our human-centred approach enables us to contribute to the user-friendly, safe and efficient rail transport of tomorrow.

Current Research:

ATO-Sense: Functional requirements for sensors and logic of an ATO unit

When introducing automatic train operation (ATO) in the railway sector, it must be determined how powerful the technical system for controlling the train must be. The question arises as to how these requirements for the technical system can be defined.

FASaN – Driver advisory systems adaptive sustainability in railway operations

Driver advisory systems (DAS) in railway operations can support train drivers in their work without interfering with vehicle control or safety technology. In the mFUND project FASaN, a prototype advanced driver advisory system is being developed and evaluated in real operation.

ATO-Cargo – Automatic Train Operation Technologies for Cargo

The ATO-Cargo project is researching the highly automated operation of goods trains. Tests are being carried out on the Betuweroute, which connects the port of Rotterdam with the Ruhr region and is available exclusively for goods trains in the Netherlands.

Teleoperation ATO – Framework and human-centered design of teleoperation as a complement for automated railroad operations

The automation of the railway system is a central component in the strategy of the German government for efficient and sustainable future rail transportation in Germany.

ARTE – Automated regional trains in Lower Saxony

Modern lines equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) will form the basis for future automated train operation (ATO via ETCS). However, it will be decades before ETCS is available throughout the German railway network on the infrastructure side.

5G Living Lab in the Mobility Region Braunschweig-Wolfsburg

Funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), the 5G Living Lab pursues the research and lively presentation of practical needs and possible applications of 5G as a key technology in the context of a smart region/smart city.

CaRe4Rail

The CaRe4Rail (Capacity and Resilience for Rail) project develops and demonstrates technical, operational and safety-related solutions for the transformation of rail transport into digitally networked and automated rail transport.

More about the system

RailSET® – Railway Simulation Environment for Train drivers and operators

In the railway system, people interact in various roles with technical interfaces that influence the safety and efficiency of the railway system. The RailSET® laboratory enables a realistic simulation of workplaces for train drivers and dispatchers in order to optimise the interaction between people and the system. Find out how new technologies and design variants are tested to improve the performance of railway operations.

More about the system

RailSiTe® – Simulation and test laboratory for the railway sector – ETCS and EULYNX

In the RailSiTe® railway laboratory, DLR has been researching new concepts and processes for faster commissioning of complex communication systems for rail transport for over 10 years.

Contact

Dr.-Ing. Christian Meirich

Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Transportation Systems
Research Design and Assessment of Mobility Solutions
Lilienthalplatz 7, 38108 Braunschweig