Real World Verbal Protocol Data Analysis of European Rail Traffic Management System Train Driving and Conventional Train Driving

The European Train Control System (ETCS) as part of the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) is a train automation and control system, which has been introduced into the UK rail network, triggering a need to understand its impact on the train driving task and train driver behaviour. In particular, an industry requirement for Human Factors (HF) research and the necessity to understand the effect ERTMS has on drivers' cognitive strategies and demands. A real world exploratory eye-tracking study was conducted with both conventional and ERTMS drivers on their normal timetabled routes. In addition to the eye movement measures, a mixture of concurrent and retrospective verbal protocol data was collected and analysed using thematic analysis. The verbal dataset provides explanations for any differences in visual behaviour between ERTMS drivers and conventional drivers. The findings provide some deeper qualitative analysis to the reason behind the shift of typical visual attentional strategy from monitoring outside on the tracks to speed information inside the cab.