Development of Candidate New Emergency Warning Signals (EWS) to Improve Railroad Safety

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Ross ◽  
Tom Campbell ◽  
Basant Parida ◽  
Mark Arnoldy ◽  
Tarek Omar
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Response Time ◽  
Signal Detection ◽  
Warning Signal ◽  
Air Pressure ◽  
Acoustic Measurements ◽  
Warning Signals ◽  
Railroad Safety ◽  
Sense Of Urgency

From the original “steam trumpet” built for locomotives in 1832 by the Leicester and Swannington Railway to modern air-pressure horns, train warning signals have not changed significantly in nearly 200 years. The effectiveness of train warning signals has been of particular concern for trespassers listening to music with headphones. The authors have conducted research as part of a Federal Railroad Administration program to design and assess the effectiveness of candidate new emergency warning signal (EWS) sounds. This paper summarizes a literature review to understand the needs for a new EWS sound and principles of audible signal detection. Acoustic measurements were conducted of headphones to understand in-ear music levels and active and passive sound attenuation. Candidate EWS sounds were developed with a goal of maintaining the identification of a train approaching and increasing the sense of urgency and response time for trespassers to vacate the tracks. Testing of candidate EWS sounds was conducted in an audio booth and on-board a moving locomotive. The research results have shown that a new EWS sound can maintain the association of a train approaching, increase the sense of urgency, reduce the reaction time for trespassers to vacate the tracks and improve safety on railroad corridors.

A New Foreperiod Effect on Intertrial Phase Coherence. Part I: Existence and Behavioral Relevance

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 2348-2383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquin Rapela ◽  
Marissa Westerfield ◽  
Jeanne Townsend
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Warning Signal ◽  
Phase Coherence ◽  
Warning Signals ◽  
Temporal Expectation ◽  
Relevant Effect ◽  
Phase Alignment ◽  
Multiple Trials ◽  
Trial Basis ◽  
Eeg Recordings

This letter makes scientific and methodological contributions. Scientifically, it demonstrates a new and behaviorally relevant effect of temporal expectation on the phase coherence of the electroencephalogram (EEG). Methodologically, it introduces novel methods to characterize EEG recordings at the single-trial level. Expecting events in time can lead to more efficient behavior. A remarkable finding in the study of temporal expectation is the foreperiod effect on reaction time, that is, the influence on reaction time of the delay between a warning signal and a succeeding imperative stimulus to which subjects are instructed to respond as quickly as possible. Here we study a new foreperiod effect in an audiovisual attention-shifting oddball task in which attention-shift cues directed the attention of subjects to impendent deviant stimuli of a given modality and therefore acted as warning signals for these deviants. Standard stimuli, to which subjects did not respond, were interspersed between warning signals and deviants. We hypothesized that foreperiod durations modulated intertrial phase coherence (ITPC, the degree of phase alignment across multiple trials) evoked by behaviorally irrelevant standards and that these modulations are behaviorally meaningful. Using averaged data, we first observed that ITPC evoked by standards closer to the warning signal was significantly different from that evoked by standards further away from it, establishing a new foreperiod effect on ITPC evoked by standards. We call this effect the standard foreperiod (SFP) effect on ITPC. We reasoned that if the SFP influences ITPC evoked by standards, it should be possible to decode the former from the latter on a trial-by-trial basis. We were able to do so showing that this effect can be observed in single trials. We demonstrated the behavioral relevance of the SFP effect on ITPC by showing significant correlations between its strength and subjects' behavioral performance.

Simple reaction time as a measure of global attention in Alzheimer's disease

1995 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Sano ◽  
Wilma Rosen ◽  
Yaakov Stern ◽  
Jeffrey Rosen ◽  
Richard Mayeux
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Simple Reaction Time ◽  
Warning Signal ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Warning Signals ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Simple Reaction ◽  
Response Stimulus

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive decline in memory, language and other cognitive functions. Deficits in attentional processes have also been suggested. A simple reaction time (RT) task was used to assess global attention in AD. The length and consistency of a warning signal given prior to the response stimulus were manipulated to determine if patients with AD and age-matched controls benefit from predictability in RT tasks. Overall reaction time was slower in the AD group than in the and control group. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in RT with long warning signals compared to short warning signals, but only the control group benefited from the consistency of the warning. (JINS, 1995, I, 56–61.)

Can 3-D Auditory Warnings Enhance Helicopter Cockpit Safety?

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (15) ◽  
pp. 1117-1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen C. Haas
Keyword(s):  
Response Time ◽  
Warning Signal ◽  
Visual Signals ◽  
Signal Function ◽  
Warning Signals ◽  
Signal Functions ◽  
Presentation Modes ◽  
Collective Control ◽  
Signal Presentation ◽  
Post Hoc

The design and use of 3-D auditory warning signals can potentially enhance helicopter cockpit safety. A study was conducted to determine how quickly helicopter pilots could respond to helicopter malfunction warning signals in a simulated cockpit environment when four different signal functions (fire in left engine, fire in right engine, chips in transmission, shaft-driven compressor failure) were presented in three different presentation modes (visual only, visual plus 3-D auditory speech signals, visual plus 3-D auditory icons). The dependent variable was pilot response time to the warning signal, from the time of signal onset to the time that the pilot manipulated the collective control in the correct manner. Subjects were 12 U.S. Army pilots between the ages of 18 and 35 who possessed hearing and visual acuity within thresholds acceptable to the U.S. Army. Results indicated that signal presentation was the only significant effect. Signal function and the signal presentation x signal function interaction were not significant. Post hoc test results indicated that pilot response time to the visual signals supplemented with 3-D audio speech or auditory icon signals was significantly shorter than that to visual signals only. The data imply that 3-D audio speech and auditory icon signals provide a safe and effective mode of warning presentation in the helicopter cockpit.

Preferred Hand and Steadiness of Reaction Time

1976 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 983-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Nakamura ◽  
R. Taniguchi ◽  
Y. Oshima
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Warning Signal ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Two Factors

RT and its left/right difference of both biceps muscles were measured by electromyogram (EMG) in the bilateral simultaneous flexion of elbows using 11 left- and 13 right-handed subjects under four conditions which were combinations of two factors: warning signal; presence or absence of a fore-period, and position of limbs; elbow 90° or 135°. EMG-RT and its left/right difference were influenced by these factors. The effects of warning and position of limbs were not the same on the preferred and non-preferred hands. It was assumed that EMG-RTs of biceps in the preferred hand were less influenced by these experimental conditions.

scholarly journals Stabilizing selection on individual pattern elements of aposematic signals

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1861) ◽  
pp. 20170926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Winters ◽  
Naomi F. Green ◽  
Nerida G. Wilson ◽  
Martin J. How ◽  
Mary J. Garson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Analysis ◽  
Marine Organism ◽  
Warning Signal ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Stabilizing Selection ◽  
Warning Signals ◽  
Fish Predator ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Aposematic Signals ◽  
Behavioural Experiments

Warning signal variation is ubiquitous but paradoxical: low variability should aid recognition and learning by predators. However, spatial variability in the direction and strength of selection for individual elements of the warning signal may allow phenotypic variation for some components, but not others. Variation in selection may occur if predators only learn particular colour pattern components rather than the entire signal. Here, we used a nudibranch mollusc, Goniobranchus splendidus , which exhibits a conspicuous red spot/white body/yellow rim colour pattern, to test this hypothesis. We first demonstrated that secondary metabolites stored within the nudibranch were unpalatable to a marine organism. Using pattern analysis, we demonstrated that the yellow rim remained invariable within and between populations; however, red spots varied significantly in both colour and pattern. In behavioural experiments, a potential fish predator, Rhinecanthus aculeatus , used the presence of the yellow rims to recognize and avoid warning signals. Yellow rims remained stable in the presence of high genetic divergence among populations. We therefore suggest that how predators learn warning signals may cause stabilizing selection on individual colour pattern elements, and will thus have important implications on the evolution of warning signals.

scholarly journals Taxing the brain to uncover lying? Meta-analyzing the effect of imposing cognitive load on the reaction-time costs of lying

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Verschuere ◽  
Nils Köbis ◽  
yoella meyer ◽  
David Gertler Rand ◽  
Shaul Shalvi
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Response Time ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Lie Detection ◽  
Mental Effort ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Truth Telling ◽  
Total N ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Brain

Lying typically requires greater mental effort than telling the truth. Imposing cognitive load may improve lie detection by limiting the cognitive resources needed to lie effectively, thereby increasing the difference in speed between truths and lies. We test this hypothesis meta-analytically. Across 21 studies using response-time (RT) paradigms (11 unpublished; total N = 792), we consistently found that truth telling was faster than lying, but found no evidence that imposing cognitive load increased that difference (Control, d = 1.45; Load, d = 1.28). Instead, load significantly decreased the lie-truth RT difference by increasing the RT of truths, g = -.18, p = .027. Our findings therefore suggest that imposing cognitive load does not necessarily improve RT-based lie detection, and may actually worsen it by taxing the mental system and thus impeding people’s ability to easily—and thus quickly—tell the truth

Measurement of Workload by Secondary Tasks

1979 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 529-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
George D. Ogden ◽  
Jerrold M. Levine ◽  
Ellen J. Eisner
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Choice Reaction Time ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Secondary Tasks ◽  
Memory Monitoring ◽  
Operator Workload

The post-1965 literature on the use of secondary tasks in the assessment of operator workload was surveyed. Twelve classes of tasks were identified; the most frequently used were choice reaction time, memory, monitoring, and tracking. The literature review did not suggest a single best task or class of tasks for the measurement of workload. Limitations in using secondary tasks are discussed, and directions for future research are presented.

The Significance of Selected Tests Characterizing Motor Potential in Achieving High Results in Speed Climbing

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (88) ◽  
pp. 63-72
Author(s):  
Marcin Krawczyk ◽  
Mariusz Ozimek ◽  
Robert Rokowski ◽  
Mariusz Pociecha ◽  
Paweł Draga
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Response Time ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Simple Reaction Time ◽  
Auditory Signal ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Arm Swing ◽  
Running Time ◽  
National Team ◽  
Motor Potential

Study aim. The main aim of research was to verify which of the countermovement jumps (CMJ) provides the most accurate information on the possibility of obtaining the best result in a climbing run and to assess the coexistence (correlation) of the running result as well as the reaction time to an auditory signal. Material and methods. The study was conducted among a group of male climbers at the average age of 20.5 years (n=6). At the time of the measurements, the competitors presented the highest sports level and were members of the Polish National Team in the speed climbing competition. Somatic measurements were carried out successively, followed by measurements of simple reaction time and various jumps. Results. Correlations between the studied variables characteristic of somatic features as well as motor skills with climbing time were, in most cases, not significant. Statistically significant correlations at the level of p<0.05 were found between running time and the following trials: CMJb (cm) (rx,y: -0.88); PmaxCMJb (W/kg) (rx,y: -0.88) and PmaxCMJb (W/LBMkg) (rx,y: -0.86). Conclusions. CMJ without arm swing is a valuable tool in assessing the motor potential of a sprinting climber and is a test of great informative value in the context of the possibility to obtain high results in a speed climbing competition. The applied test to assess the level of response time to the auditory signal was a trial, which to a moderate extent, allows to diagnose the possibility of achieving high results in a speed climbing sprint.

scholarly journals Spontaneous attribution of false beliefs in adults examined using a signal detection approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 555-567
Author(s):  
Tian Ye ◽  
Stephen M Fleming ◽  
Antonia FDC Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Bayesian Analysis ◽  
Signal Detection ◽  
Signal Detection Theory ◽  
False Belief ◽  
Perceptual Sensitivity ◽  
False Belief Task ◽  
Detection Approach ◽  
Classical Statistics

Understanding other people have beliefs different from ours or different from reality is critical to social interaction. Previous studies suggest that healthy adults possess an implicit mentalising system, but alternative explanations for data from reaction time false belief tasks have also been given. In this study, we combined signal detection theory (SDT) with a false belief task. As application of SDT allows us to separate perceptual sensitivity from criteria, we are able to investigate how another person’s beliefs change the participant’s perception of near-threshold stimuli. Participants ( n = 55) watched four different videos in which an actor saw (or did not see) a Gabor cube hidden (or not hidden) behind an occluder. At the end of each video, the occluder vanished revealing a cube either with or without Gabor pattern, and participants needed to report whether they saw the Gabor pattern or not. A pre-registered analysis with classical statistics weakly suggests an effect of the actor’s belief on participant’s perceptions. An exploratory Bayesian analysis supports the idea that when the actor believed the cube was present, participants made slower and more liberal judgements. Although these data are not definitive, these current results indicate the value of new measures for understanding implicit false belief processing.

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