I am planning to do my dissertation exploring the human error involved in train driving. I am not able to pin down on one topic. Could the experienced members please let me know what could be a viable project? Please help.

Turning up on time and not going on strike at the drop of a hat would be two major challenges

Ha, Walker, as an ex-train driver I'll second that. Notwithstanding train drivers, most of the forum users as well - LOL!

It might help you to contact RSSB and/or ATOC for 'assistance' [try Google for details] - the should have plenty of info on Human Factors and Train Drivers

The sarcasm from Haynes is surely unnecessary, but to move on, yes, do consider Rapp's suggestion to study signal's passed at danger events and add to that speed violations. Trains full with hundred's of passengers each placed in mortal danger by these too frequent events. Consider too the Union attitude that protects those who fail in these rather fundamental safety performance standards, threatening industrial action and on some occasions taking strike actin when management have the temerity to discipline a failing driver persistently breaching safety performance standards(speed). An excellent study, of the power of the old school union approach to safety to prevent safety improvement - those union members who fought over the years for improved safety standards must be turning in their graves!

Mandar, here's a couple of good places to start looking at the overall view of operational safety management relating to train operations; http://safety.networkrail.co.uk/ http://opsweb.co.uk/ As andybz's mentioned, there's been a lot of work been done to reduce risk by designing it out of the equation. There will still be the element of human error but with the introduction of TPWS (Train Protection & Warning System), focussed through the use of signal risk assessments this has reduced the risk at potential train conflict points throughout the rail network. There's a huge amount of scope with this topic and lots of supporting information to work with. What I would also recommend is getting in touch with Network Rail as, contrary to the belief of some, they are usually more than happy to support this type of project. If you want to discuss in a little more detail drop me a pm.

Thanks a lot for the replies (relevant+irrelevant) :) Some of you have given me wealth of information. I discussed with a company about the research I had in mind but they said it would create unnecessary problems with the driver unions if it highlights driver errors more...anyway so they are not providing me with the data.

Mandar, that is a shame and the excuse sounds a bit lame to me. You should design your own questionnaire. There is plenty of material out there which would assist and it will be good experience. All you need to do initially is to write down some domains which might affect incident reporting culture ie trust, blame, discipline, incentives, communications, etc. Then prepare a draft set of questions or statements and do a dry run to ensure there are no issues - crack on.

There are always two sides to a story. The Unions are not perfect, indeed far from it. However, H&S Reps in the main do a good job for their colleagues, whilst remaining a safety buffer between the management and the travelling public. Let us not forget it was not so long ago that we had a spate of fatal railway incidents - where profit was being put before safety. Apologies to the poster for hi-jacking this thread...my last word on the subject.

SPADs are probably the easiest to research due to the wealth of statistics and source material. However, consider two other aspects. One relates to where there are staff working on the line, in which circumstance a possession would likely be in place, in theory, but there are instances which occur despite the systems that are supposed to be in place, with trains being allowed onto lines being worked on. I believe there has been a very recent prosecution for just this situation. Secondly, and perhaps related to this, would it be worth examining any cultural differences in rail operations pre- and post- privatisation? Coming from a railway family, I certainly perceive such differences.