Abstract
The increasing automation of the operator's cabin as well as the longer distances travelled constitute factors likely to provoke lowered vigilance during critical periods in transport operations. The aim of this laboratory research is to study the capacity of the security system of French trains to detect decreases in vigilance. This system is based on the safety deadman circuit. In order to identify a relationship between motor behavior (activation of the pedal) and variations in vigilance (EEG, eyes blink frequency) a simplified monotonous driving task was used. Main results have shown that during periods of lowered vigilance some perturbations of motor behavior appeared. Futhermore, a degradation of performance in term of increased reaction time and omission of signals was observed during these phases. Main perspectives concern the use of such a system in the detection of decreases in vigilance on the field.
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