Effects of automatic train operation on regional train drivers

Within their Automatic Train Operation (ATO) project,

Switzerland’s Schweizerische Südostbahn AG (SOB)

has performed a systematic human factor study of the

effects of Grade of Automation 2 (GoA2) on regional

train drivers. With this level of automation, tasks such

as accelerating and braking are removed from the

driver’s workload and are performed by an automated

system. New tasks are created such as additional visual

supervision and taking over control in the event of issues

arising. This human factors study aims at researching

effects of the automation on train drivers’ fatigue,

workload and performance.

This study was performed in collaboration with Eraneos Group and ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences).