Automated Detection of Train Drivers’ Head Movements: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Automated Detection of Train Drivers’ Head Movements: A Proof-of-Concept Study

With increasing automation in the rail sector, the train driver’s task changes from full control to a supervisory position. This bears the risk of monotony and subsequent changes in visual attention, possibly for the worse. Similar to concepts in car driving, one solution for this could be driver st...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Automation (Basel) 2024-03, Vol.5 (1), p.35-48
Main Authors: Schackmann, David, Bosch, Esther
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
Automation
Eye movements
Feasibility
Head movement
head movements
head tracking
Monitoring systems
Monotony
rail safety
Simulator fidelity
simulator study
Statistical analysis
Taxicabs
Tracking
train driver
Trains
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:With increasing automation in the rail sector, the train driver’s task changes from full control to a supervisory position. This bears the risk of monotony and subsequent changes in visual attention, possibly for the worse. Similar to concepts in car driving, one solution for this could be driver state monitoring with triggered interventions in case of declining task attention. Previous research on train drivers’ visual attention has used eye tracking. In contrast, head tracking is easier to realize within the train driver cabin. This study set out to test whether head tracking is a feasible alternative to eye tracking and can provide similar findings. Based on previous eye-tracking research, we compared differences in head movements in automated vs. manual driving, and for different levels of driving speed and driving experience. We conducted a study with 25 active train drivers in a high-fidelity train simulator. Statistical analyses revealed no significant difference in the vertical head movements between automation levels. There was a significant difference in the horizontal head movements, with train drivers looking more to the right for manual driving. We found no significant influence of driving speed and experience on head movements. Safety implications and the feasibility of head tracking as an alternative to eye tracking are discussed.
ISSN:2673-4052