ABSTRACT

An important feature of the research programme was the use of human factors analysis and design approaches throughout the rail level crossing design life cycle. The majority of the research focussed on the early aspects of the life cycle; that is, methods such as Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) and Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) were used to analyse existing rail level crossing environments, to inform the design of new rail level crossing environments and to assess and refine the resulting rail level crossing design concepts. This chapter outlines some of the key strengths and contributions of the approach adopted. It considers whether design process, based on the principles of sociotechnical systems theory, generated designs that jointly optimised the social and technological aspects of rail level crossing systems. A final area for further research in rail level crossing safety relates to approaches to cost–benefit analysis, with cost often raised as a key constraint by stakeholders.