Experienced and novice driver situation awareness at rail level crossings: An exploratory on-road study

Paul M. Salmon*, Michael G. Lenné, Kristie Young, Guy Walker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Poor or degraded situation awareness has previously been identified as a contributory factor in crashes at rail level crossings. Despite this, the concept remains largely unexplored in this context. This paper describes an exploratory on-road study focusing on novice and experienced driver situation awareness whilst negotiating rail level crossings. Participants drove a pre-determined urban route, incorporating two rail level crossings, in an instrumented vehicle. Situation awareness was assessed using propositional networks which were constructed based on content analyses of driver verbal protocols. Differences between drivers' situation awareness were found in terms of the information underpinning it and the integration of this information. It is concluded that, whilst negotiating the two rail level crossings, inexperienced drivers had less efficient situation awareness than experienced drivers. In closing, the implications of this study are discussed along with a series of recommendations for further research in this context.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEngineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. EPCE 2011
PublisherSpringer
Pages196-204
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9783642217418
ISBN (Print)9783642217401
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Event9th International Conference on Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics 2011 - Orlando, United States
Duration: 9 Jul 201114 Jul 2011

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science
Volume6781
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics 2011
Abbreviated titleEPCE 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period9/07/1114/07/11

Keywords

  • on-road studies
  • rail level crossings
  • Situation awareness

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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