COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AND SAFETY DETERMINANTS IN THE WORK OF A TRAIN DRIVERS

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-291
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Kata ◽  
Wiesław Poleszak
Keyword(s):  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Test System ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Test Reaction ◽  
Railway Traffic ◽  
Train Drivers ◽  
The Relationship

The reports of committees investigating the causes of rail accidents indicate the significance of the so-called human factor (e.g. UTK, 2019). In addition to issues related to perso nality functioning, the organization and culture of work, this also includes variables related to the cognitive functioning of train drivers themselves. These are significant factors that determine the occurrence of accidents that result from ignoring or not spotting railway signals and signs. The purpose of this study was to verify the relationship between cognitive functioning and safety determinants, which was measured using an eye-tracking technique. The application of this technique was intended to check its usefulness in the field of railway traffic safety and to achieve an approximate simulation environment of the real working conditions of a train driver. In the present study, the Vienna Test System was used as a me - thod for the determination of cognitive functioning. Based on the variables described in the subject literature, the following tests were applied: Determination Test, Visual Memory Test, Visual Pursuit Test, Reaction Time, Cognitrone, Signal Detection and Vigilance. In addition to computer cognitive tests, an eye-tracking test method was designed based on a film recorded in real train-driving situation. Measures describing areas of interest (AOI) that are crucial for safety were analysed. Due to the pilot nature of the research, only 10 passenger train drivers participated in the study. The results of the study showed a link between the cognitive functioning of the train drivers and visual security determinants. Significant correlations were found with stress tolerance resulting from cognitive overload, visual memory, alertness and concentration ability under time pressure. The study confirmed the significant role of the train driver's cogni- tive functioning in the analysis and perception of safety-critical signals. The use of an eye-tracking method has delivered results that are in agreement with studies based on other methods. This pro- vides a sound basis for the continuation of research using eye- tracking in the assessment of rail transport safety. In the future, the research should be extended to include an analysis of the effect of demographic and situational variables (types of signalling devices and signage) and a broader model of the relationship between cog- nitive functioning and the driver's visual attention. This will provide data that is crucial for the prevention of railway incidents and the development of training plans for train drivers.

A New Monitoring Method of Wheel/Rail Contact Forces Caused by Out-of-Round Railway Wheels

2012 ◽  
Vol 178-181 ◽  
pp. 1125-1130
Author(s):  
Zhi Chen Wang ◽  
Ying Song ◽  
Ying Ming Shen
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Test System ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Strain Gauges ◽  
Monitoring Method ◽  
High Speed Railway ◽  
Railway Traffic ◽  
Railway Wheels

Traditional methods of wheel-rail contact forces measurement all need strain gauges on wheel sets or rails. The shortcomings of strain gauges such as zero-drift, poor anti-interference property and instability of test system can’t meat wheel/rail force test requirements in high-speed railways. A method based on PVDF piezoelectric sensing technology is presented for the test of wheel/rail contact force. Firstly, on the basis of the theory of vehicle-track coupling dynamics and by means of simulation software ADAMS/Rail, a three-dimensional train-track simulation model is established. Secondly, the modes and characteristics of wheel/rail impact vibrations due to non-roundness of railway wheels are investigated in high-speed railway operation. The relationship between the range for acceptable roundness values and vehicle speed is determined. Finally, the view that it is of important significance to establish wheel/rail force real-time monitoring system is expanded, so that abnormal conditions caused by out-of-round wheels can be detected in time, to ensure high-speed railway traffic safety. The study is very important for enhancing the stability and economy signification of rail transmission.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Physical Activity, Self-Perceived Health, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 492
Author(s):  
Radka Dostálová ◽  
Chelsea Stillman ◽  
Kirk I. Erickson ◽  
Pavel Slepička ◽  
Jiří Mudrák
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Test System ◽  
The Relationship

There are consistent associations between physical activity and self-perceived health. However, it is not clear whether associations between self-perceived health and participation in physical activity could be accounted for by associations with cognitive function. In the present study, we examined whether associations between physical activity and cognitive functioning could explain the variability between physical activity and self-perceived health. A sample of 204 older adults performed three cognitive tests selected from the Vienna test system battery: The Determination, Cognitrone, and Visual Memory tests. These tests measure general processing speed, attention, and visual memory, respectively. Participants also completed the 12-item Short Form Health Questionnaire SF-12 to measure perceived health, and the Physical Activity Survey for the Elderly to measure physical activity. Linear regressions and the PROCESS macro for SPSS were used to test our hypotheses. Consistent with our hypotheses, processing speed accounted for significant variance in the relationship between physical activity and self-perceived health. This suggests that cognitive processing speed might be an indirect path by which physical activity relates to enhanced health perceptions. The results demonstrate that associations between physical activity and self-perceptions of health are related to a fundamental cognitive process.

Cognitive Functioning as a Moderator in the Relationship Between the Perceived Neighborhood Physical Environment and Physical Activity in Belgian Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 890-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freja Gheysen ◽  
Karel Herman ◽  
Delfien Van Dyck
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Environmental Perceptions ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Alternative Routes ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Objective: To investigate whether the relationship of neighborhood environmental factors with physical activity (PA) is moderated by cognitive functioning in Belgian older adults. Methods: Seventy-one older adults completed validated questionnaires on PA and environmental perceptions, wore an accelerometer, and completed a computerized assessment of cognitive functioning. Moderated linear regression analyses were conducted in SPSS 24.0. Results: Overall cognitive functioning significantly moderated the associations of traffic safety and street connectivity with PA. Detailed analyses showed that these factors were only positively associated with PA in older adults with lower cognitive functioning. In addition, particularly, performance on tests assessing visuospatial and episodic memory moderated these associations. Discussion: Living in traffic-safe neighborhoods with short and many alternative routes might motivate older adults with lower cognitive functioning to be active. As such, the increase in PA might improve their cognitive abilities. This knowledge is crucial for health practitioners to develop effective PA promotion initiatives.

scholarly journals Spatial Mental Transformation Skills Discriminate Fitness to Drive in Young and Old Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Tinella ◽  
Antonella Lopez ◽  
Alessandro Oronzo Caffò ◽  
Ignazio Grattagliano ◽  
Andrea Bosco
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Test System ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Fitness To Drive ◽  
Mental Transformation ◽  
Object Based ◽  
Age Cohort ◽  
The Relationship

Literature on driving research suggests a relationship between cognition and driving performance in older and younger drivers. There is little research on adults and driving, despite them being the largest age cohort behind the wheel. Among the cognitive domains, visuospatial abilities are expected to be highly predictive of driving skills and driving fitness. The relationship between specific spatial mental transformation skills (i.e., object and self-based ones) and driving performance has not yet been examined. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between overall cognitive functioning, self and object-based spatial mental transformation skills, and driving performance in a sample of younger and older adult drivers. Participants were comprised of one hundred younger and 83 older adult Italian drivers. Participants completed a computerized driving test assessing traffic stress resilience, visual and motor reaction time, and the ability to obtain an overview of the traffic scenario (DT, vRT, mRT, and ATAV respectively in the Shufried®-Vienna Test System–DRIVESC). The Mental Rotation Test (MRT) and the Object Perspective Taking Test (OPT) were administered in order to assess object-based and self-based spatial mental transformation skills. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) was administered control for global cognitive functioning. The effects of education and gender were also controlled in the analysis. The results of the present study suggested that: (1) The effect of age, favoring younger participants, was found in DT, vRT, mRT, and ATAVT tests. (2) The effect of global cognitive functioning was found in DT and ATAV tests. (3) The effect of the spatial mental transformation tests was found in DT, vRT (MRT only), and ATAVT (OPT only) tests. Taken together, these results suggest the specific contribution of spatial mental transformation skills in the execution of complex behaviors connected to the fitness to drive. Prospectively, the results of the present study relating spatial mental transformation skills and driving processes may be a valuable source of knowledge for researchers dealing with the relationship between cognitive resources and navigation aids.

Cognitive Factors Mediate the Relation Between Age and Flight Path Maintenance in General Aviation

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Van Benthem ◽  
Chris M. Herdman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Flight Path ◽  
General Aviation ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
Pilot Performance ◽  
Pilot Error ◽  
Age Related ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Identifying pilot attributes associated with risk is important, especially in general aviation where pilot error is implicated in most accidents. This research examined the relationship of pilot age, expertise, and cognitive functioning to deviations from an ideal circuit trajectory. In all, 54 pilots, of varying age, flew a Cessna 172 simulator. Cognitive measures were obtained using the CogScreen-AE ( Kay, 1995 ). Older age and lower levels of expertise and cognitive functioning were associated with significantly greater flight path deviations. The relationship between age and performance was fully mediated by a cluster of cognitive factors: speed and working memory, visual attention, and cognitive flexibility. These findings add to the literature showing that age-related changes in cognition may impact pilot performance.

The Relationship between Cognitive Functioning and Adjudicative Competence

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Caillouet ◽  
Jesse Brand ◽  
Bernice Marcopulos ◽  
Julie-Ann Kent
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Adjudicative Competence ◽  
The Relationship

An evaluation of ECT sample height for small flute board grades and Box Manufacturer’s Certification compliance

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 24-28
Author(s):  
CORY JAY WILSON ◽  
BENJAMIN FRANK
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Compressive Load ◽  
Test Sample ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Sample Height ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Corrugated Fiberboard

TAPPI test T811 is the specified method to ascertain ECT relative to box manufacturer’s certification compliance of corrugated fiberboard under Rule 41/ Alternate Item 222. T811 test sample heights were derived from typical board constructions at the time of the test method’s initial development. New, smaller flute sizes have since been developed, and the use of lighter weight boards has become more common. The T811 test method includes sample specifications for typical A-flute, B-flute, and C-flute singlewall (and doublewall and triplewall) structures, but not for newer thinner E-flute or F-flute structures. This research explores the relationship of ECT sample height to measured compressive load, in an effort to determine valid E-flute and F-flute ECT sample heights for use with the T811 method. Through this process, it identifies challenges present in our use of current ECT test methods as a measure of intrinsic compressive strength for smaller flute structures. The data does not support the use of TAPPI T 811 for ECT measurement for E and F flute structures, and demonstrates inconsistencies with current height specifi-cations for some lightweight B flute.

Investigations of Road Wear Caused by Studded Tires

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-15
Author(s):  
Johannes Gültlinger ◽  
Frank Gauterin ◽  
Christian Brandau ◽  
Jan Schlittenhard ◽  
Burkhard Wies
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Test Bench ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
The Road ◽  
Driving Speed ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Tire Friction ◽  
Variable Operating Conditions

ABSTRACT The use of studded tires has been a subject of controversy from the time they came into market. While studded tires contribute to traffic safety under severe winter conditions by increasing tire friction on icy roads, they also cause damage to the road surface when running on bare roads. Consequently, one of the main challenges in studded tire development is to reduce road wear while still ensuring a good grip on ice. Therefore, a research project was initiated to gain understanding about the mechanisms and influencing parameters involved in road wear by studded tires. A test method using the institute's internal drum test bench was developed. Furthermore, mechanisms causing road wear by studded tires were derived from basic analytical models. These mechanisms were used to identify the main parameters influencing road wear by studded tires. Using experimental results obtained with the test method developed, the expected influences were verified. Vehicle driving speed and stud mass were found to be major factors influencing road wear. This can be explained by the stud impact as a dominant mechanism. By means of the test method presented, quantified and comparable data for road wear caused by studded tires under controllable conditions can be obtained. The mechanisms allow predicting the influence of tire construction and variable operating conditions on road wear.

Tire Treadwear — A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Factors: Generic Type, Aspect Ratio, Tread Pattern, and Tread Composition Part I: Introduction and Details on the Organization of the Program

1986 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Veith
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Systematic Determination ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This four-part series of papers addresses the problem of systematic determination of the influence of several tire factors on tire treadwear. Both the main effect of each factor and some of their interactive effects are included. The program was also structured to evaluate the influence of some external-to-tire conditions on the relationship of tire factors to treadwear. Part I describes the experimental design used to evaluate the effects on treadwear of generic tire type, aspect ratio, tread pattern (groove or void level), type of pattern (straight rib or block), and tread compound. Construction procedures and precautions used to obtain a valid and functional test method are included. Two guiding principles to be used in the data analyses of Parts II and III are discussed. These are the fractional groove and void concept, to characterize tread pattern geometry, and a demonstration of the equivalence of wear rate for identical compounds on whole tread or multi-section tread tires.

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