Impact on driver behavior from ERTMS speed-filtering

In the signal planning process, the ERTMS speed profiles based on track nature needs to be complemented with additional constraints. The base profile resolving the allowed track speed, often includes several speed changes which can be difficult for the train driver to follow. One approach to deal with this problem is to filter the base profile, reducing the number of changes and giving the driver more time for attention.

This paper presents the effects of a speed profile filtering principle, based on possible time usage during a speed increase, on train energy consumption, train driver braking behavior, running time, and driver workload. In an Electrical Multiple Unit train driver simulator, 40 drivers tested three different speed profiles of a 19 km railway line. It can be concluded that differences in running time are small, that these small time-gains implies a high energy consumption cost, and that drivers tend to drive close to the indication braking curve in the beginning of the braking phase. Further, the drivers rated the driver task workload low for all filter conditions. Accordingly, a certain filter level is required to get capacity and energy effects.