Driver Only Operation - Safety Approval
Southeastern Railway
background
In 2005, we conducted a research project for RSSB looking at driver performance in the use of CCTV for driver only operation. This was centered around the industry standards that do not allow more than 4 images to be displayed per monitor and whether the presentation of more images would be detrimental for safety.
Southeastern were introducing new rolling stock to the UK in the form of the new Hitachi Class 395 trains which will form the much publicised Javelin service into London for the Olympics. The design of the driver's cab meant that they needed to present 6 images in each monitor in order to cover all of the 12 carriages on the train. This was not compliant with the standard so Southeastern required our support in putting forward a case for derogation from the standard.
project
We were commissioned by Southeastern to look at the following issues:
- The requirements for the identification of objects at a second doorway on the carriage
- Safe dispatch times for 6 and 12 car formations
- Quantify the level of driver reliability at detecting the CCTV system's active image indicator
- Assess any implications of the unique camera position on the lead carriage
- Determine that the image of the train doors is not hampered by platform congestion
implementation
We approached the project in three ways: firstly, to acquire evidence to support the case for derogation based on an assessment of target image sizes. Secondly, we conducted an experiment looking at driver performance at the task using a computer simulation of driving and dispatch - this was also used to establsh safe dispatch times. Finally, we looked at other safety issues that were not relevant to the derogation.
outcomes
Our research concluded that the size of the image presented, although smaller than required by the standards relative to screen size, was actually larger than common DOOP systems as viewed by the driver. We also concluded that the targets were at least as detectable as on other measured DOOP systems on other rolling stock.
This analysis was successfully used by Southeastern to obtain the derogation and deliver this new fast train service.
More information
For more information on our original work for RSSB, please see the case study
Further information on Southeastern can be accessed from their website.