Exploration of Training to Address Human Factor Risks in Railroad Switching and Shoving

Details

• Creators:
  Snow, Juna Z ; Lott, Stephanie ; Coplen, Michael ; Bruzek, Radim ; Holtman, Greg
• Corporate Creators:
  ENSCO, Inc ; TrueSafety Evaluation, LLC
• Corporate Contributors:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research, Development and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Yard operations
  • Switching
  • Classification yards
  • Railroad yards
  • Railroad safety
  • Workload
  • Distraction
  • Alertness
  • Physiological stress
• Publication/ Report Number:
  DOT/FRA/ORD-26/23
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  2024 - 2025
• Contracting Officer:
  Tweedie, Donald
• Corporate Publisher:
  United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
• Abstract:
  Switching operations remain one of the highest-risk areas in railroad operations, with shove movements linked to a large share of human-factor incidents. This research examined safety risks and training gaps and developed a supplemental two-day pilot course delivered at the TTC in Pueblo, CO. Data from 2016 - 2024 showed 59% of human-factor incidents stem from switching operations, and shove-related fatalities remain a growing concern. Interviews and CTA identified inconsistent OJT, situational-awareness challenges, and the need for scenario-based training. Pilot course feedback from participants supports expanded TTC training focused on shove movements, close clearances, error-based "don't" scenarios, situational awareness, and communications driven by SOFA incident cases.
• Format:
  PDF
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/93430/dot_93430_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.31 MB]
• Collection(s):
  Federal Railroad Administration
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6b1e948bfdf0045bb7534afdf1967dfe56089db4545b2fbbf6022defff95c0db5a6885cfffa8a57de18e1bc5482b4f28f2cec1221fb882467fe300fed35b52e0