ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book outlines the systems approach and demonstrating it in the rail level crossing safety context. It also outlines the rich explanatory power of the systems thinking approach, along with its holistic approach to design and system optimisation. Surface transportation systems, such as road and rail, continue to evolve at a rapid rate of change. This evolution is driven by the ubiquitous introduction of new and advanced technologies, significant increases in the intensity of operations and the presence of diverse types of end users. The book describes a philosophy currently prevalent within the discipline of human factors, which aims to understand and improve the performance and safety in complex sociotechnical systems. It involves applying systems thinking and sociotechnical systems theory and methods, in an integrated manner, to rail level crossing system analysis and design.
