The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the human factors concerns of the railroad enterprise as it exists in the United States and Canada and to provide an overview of human factors research related to railroads. The railroad enterprise is complex and, in many ways, distinct from other forms of transportation. Differences found between railroading and other modes are arguably more profound in internal organization and tradition than in equipment and technologies. Because of this, a significant portion of this chapter is given over to a description of context. Understanding this context is critical in understanding the need for and relevance of the human factors research cited. We also cover research concerns and efforts in a number of key areas, including safety legislation versus regulation, safety and productivity, perceived versus measured safety, close call confidential reporting, the social environment of the U.S. railroad industry, operator fatigue and alertness, locomotive ergonomics and cab design, the locomotive engineers' and dispatchers' roles, remotely controlled locomotives, and trespassing and grade-crossing accidents.
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