Bridge strike reduction: the design and evaluation of visual warnings

The aim of this investigation was to consider the problem of road vehicles that strike rail-over-road bridges and how such incidents can be reduced. In particular, it examined the design of both the warning markings placed on bridges and the road signs situated some distance in front of the bridge, each warning of reduced clearances ahead. Initially, a literature review was conducted to reveal the nature of the problem, including the history of bridge strikes, previous attempts to quantify why bridges are hit, the cost of strikes, countermeasures to prevent them and the legal restrictions relevant to the area. It was concluded that no single countermeasure had been found to be effective when the cost and the legal restrictions were taken into account.A field assessment of possible causal factors was performed in order to compare a group of bridges that had been frequently struck, against a group of control bridges. It was found that frequently struck bridges generally were in busier environments (as might be expected), and in more visually complex environments where there were, on average, more advertisements nearby - thus more potential distractions were present at these sites. The research then considered what drivers look at when driving towards low bridges,specifically focusing on the amount of visual attention given to warning signs prior to a low bridge, and on the specific areas drivers look at in the final few seconds before reaching the bridge. It was found that the bridge warning signs and bridge markings performed badly on measures of visual attention. In addition, if an advertisement was placed on the top section of a bridge, this was looked at for a large proportion of the time - thus reducing the proportion of time which the drivers gave to other features of the environment. The development and evaluation of alternative bridge warning signs was then considered. Newly created and existing signs were evaluated on tests of comprehension and hazard perception. The results demonstrated that text-based versions of the warning sign with a yellow border performed best The development and evaluation of markings for low bridges were then examined by evaluating newly created and existing markings. The research focussed on their capacity to make a bridge appear lower than it really was - so influencing drivers' judgement of height when they approach such a bridge. The current low bridge marking standard achieved inferior scores on the experimental measures employed when compared to several of the alternative bridge marking designs that were developed. Finally, the investigation examined driver responses to both the bridge signs and markings. Using a virtual reality road scene, an experiment was performed which assessed if the existing and modified designs of the signs and markings identified earlier had any behavioural effects upon drivers as they approached the 'virtual' bridges. The addition of warning signs before the bridge was found to have no significant influence on subjects' decisions regarding stopping before the bridge. However, the type of markings displayed on the bridge did significantly affect their responses

Exploring the human factors challenges of automated mining equipment

Over the past few years there has been an upsurge of interest in automated mining equipment, ranging from in-vehicle assistance systems (such as collision detection) through to visions of a fully automated and ‘people-less’ mine of the future. This project is aimed at understanding how new technologies can be developed in ways that take into account the human factors issues related to remote controlled/ automated mining equipment. In particular, this ongoing research is analysing the skills and cognitive capabilities that will be required to operate or maintain remote controlled equipment, where the focus is upon developing optimal interface designs to address performance gaps, rather than purely relying on operator training. Initially, the work includes conducting literature reviews, compiling an “active” database of existing and emerging technologies, and interviewing technology developers, regulators, managers and end-users. The interviews are ongoing at the time of writing and are still to be completed and fully analysed. Tentative analysis of the results of this work show several themes emerging. The work to date will be presented in the poster

A Rider-Centered Critical Decision Method Study to Better Understand the Challenges to Further Uptake of Cycling

Despite the many benefits of cycling, there is still a widespread perception that riding bicycles on public roads is unsafe. There has been a substantial increase in cycling research over the past decade, but little work has explored the challenges to greater uptake of cycling from a rider-centered perspective. To explore this, our research undertook a large international survey for experienced cyclists in which rider perspectives were explored using an in-depth process called the Critical Decision Method. The results revealed a wide range of self-reported cycling experiences, and most respondents classified themselves as either strong and fearless or enthused and confident. Few actual differences with respect to threatening incidents and rider countermeasures were present, illustrating how overall similarly experienced cyclists respond to threatening incidents. An overarching summary of all survey responses is presented with respect to each gender, then a more specific case study of two riders, one female and one male, is presented showing how many emotions and fear responses were similar for the different riders, but their coping strategies and reactions were somewhat different. It is concluded that further work to explore the issue from a rider-centered perspective is needed, and that the wide variety of cyclist types implies that there is no single recommendation for encouraging greater uptake of riding

Collision detection and proximity warning systems for mobile mining equipment: A human factors exploration

The relatively high number of collisions between mining vehicles is the primary reason why collision detection and proximity warning systems are being increasingly introduced in this domain. This work presents a series of studies undertaken in underground mining where a prototype proximity warning system has recently been introduced. These studies encompassed a review of the system constraints (detection distances), an ergonomic audit of the system interface, Cognitive Tasks Analyses and other structured interview methods, a naturalistic field study, and a human factors risk assessment. All combined, the studies reviewed, from a user-centred perspective, the effectiveness of a system being trialled. Preliminarily results emerging to date and provisional recommendations for future system development or additional research are briefly outlined in this paper

Knowledge elicitation solutions for improving performance and efficiency

Despite advances in mechanisation and automation processes, mining remains a people intensive industry, a large proportion of whom are responsible for operating and maintaining mining equipment under conditions that challenge even the most experienced people. Mining techniques, equipment designs and the work environment are constantly evolving and changing, imposing new demands on the technical competence of workers. With the trend towards global mining companies and ease of international travel, the workforce of the future may well encompass social and cultural changes that need to be addressed. The system of work rosters used by mine sites adds a further element of change to the situation, all of which contribute to the potential for unwanted events during normal operation

A quantitative approach to engineering fire life safety in modern underground coal mines

Emerging from a history of blanket approach prescriptive fire protection design, underground coal mining is rapidly embracing fire life safety analysis techniques that have been successfully used in performance-based fire engineering in the built environment. In Australia, the leading practice fire engineering approach is to apply the International Fire Engineering Guidelines (ABCB 2005) and its methods as a design assessment framework. This approach has recently been used to quantify the performance of mine fire detection and therefore control of fire spread, paving the way for improvements in mine fire intervention and mine worker escape. This paper presents a method of early fire detection using closed circuit television cameras and video analysis software associated with fixed plant fires leading to increased available safe evacuation time compared with contemporary point type fire detectors and gas monitoring sensors. Successful pilot tests of the fire detection technology have been carried out in simulated mine conditions. A quantified and scientifically informed risk-based approach, offering improvements in mine fire rescue intervention and evacuation methodologies was achieved

User-centred design for civil construction: optimising productivity by reducing safety and health risks associated with the operation and maintenance of on-road vehicles and mobile plant.

A range of productivity implications, injury and health risks are associated with the operation and maintenance of road construction equipment. Potential unwanted events giving rise to these risks include: slip, trips and falls from ground or at height; performance of hazardous manual tasks; exposure to heat, chemicals and whole body vibration; vehicle roll overs; and collisions. It may be possible to remove or reduce the risk of these events through improved design of the equipment and wider organisational systems. Design analysis techniques and a risk assessment tool (Design OMAT and EDEEP) were applied in the review of an asphalt job truck. Findings have led to preliminary design considerations for improvement and there are implications for organisational system change