This paper explores performance shaping factors associated with holistic design aspects of metro systems affecting driver’s behaviour based on a case study using eye-tracking techniques. Train driving is a highly visual task where the physical environment provides key visual instructions. Eye–mind theories suggest that eye movements closely follow cognitive processes when it comes to interaction with the visual world. The data for this study have been collected in a representative urban rail system serving a metropolitan area with circa 1.2 million inhabitants during 20 in-service trials. Participating drivers were asked to wear an eye-tracker while driving a train as they would normally do. The study focuses on four areas of interest at four consecutive stations. The stations have similar characteristics but differ in terms of certain design elements which are mirrors, platforms, stopping position markers and positions of a running signal. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of these elements to metro drivers. The paper assesses the usability of the system design elements through analysis of gaze fixations. Results suggest the importance of the positions of a mirror and a signal in relation to the cab, as well as the distance between a stopping point and a signal. Such factors as openness of stations, passenger loadings and informativeness of certain elements also demonstrated influence on drivers’ performance. It was also found that drivers sometimes do not check a signal before departing a station, which is a significant concern. The paper discusses factors potentially propagating such behaviour.

中文翻译：

---

系统设计对地铁驾驶员安全相关性能的影响研究：一项眼动追踪研究

本文基于使用眼动追踪技术的案例研究，探讨了与影响驾驶员行为的地铁系统整体设计相关的性能塑造因素。火车驾驶是高度视觉化的任务，其中物理环境提供了关键的视觉指示。眼神理论表明，与视觉世界互动时，眼球运动紧随认知过程。这项研究的数据是在有代表性的城市轨道交通系统中收集的，该系统在20个在役试验中为大约120万居民提供服务。参加比赛的驾驶员被要求像平时一样戴上眼动仪。这项研究集中在四个连续站点的四个感兴趣的领域。这些站具有相似的特性，但是在某些设计元素方面有所不同，这些设计元素是后视镜，平台，停止位置标记和运行信号的位置。先前的研究已经证明了这些要素对地铁驾驶员的重要性。本文通过凝视注视分析评估了系统设计元素的可用性。结果表明，相对于驾驶室而言，后视镜和信号灯的位置以及停车点和信号灯之间的距离非常重要。诸如车站的开放性，乘客人数和某些要素的信息性等因素也显示出对驾驶员性能的影响。还发现驾驶员有时在离开车站之前不检查信号，这是一个重大问题。