Authors: Jordan Multer, Robert Rudich, Kevin Yearwood

Date of Publication:  November 1998

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research and Development

Performing Organization:  USDOT Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Research and Special Programs Administration

Report No:  DOT/FRA/ORD-98/03

Abstract:

This document presents human factors guidelines for the evaluation of the locomotive cab.  These guidelines are part of an effort to evaluate working conditions and safety in the locomotive cab.  The guidelines will serve as a decision-making tool for evaluating current and proposed locomotive designs and in particular Association of American Railroads (AAR) standards for defining industry requirements in cab design.

The human factors concerns addressed by the guidelines can be divided into two themes:  working conditions and information technology.  Chapters within the guidelines address the following topics:  heating, ventilation, air conditioning, noise, vibration, toilet facilities, general considerations for cab layout, ingress and egress, visibility, seating and workstation design.  Workstation design includes both hardware and software issues.  Within each chapter, human factors considerations are presented within the context of relevant operational issues and specific recommendations are offered.

The guidelines were developed from a variety of sources.  Journal articles, handbooks, reference guides and papers applicable to human-machine systems in general as well as literature specific to the problems of locomotive cab design and operation were examined.  To make the guidelines as relevant as possible, members of the railroad community (major railroads, manufacturers, AAR, the railroad unions) were consulted.

No. of Pages:  211