Human factors design of user interfaces & workplaces in rail

Rail vehicles function based on a complex socio-technical system comprising passengers, train and maintenance staff, infrastructure interfaces, regulations, and interdependent systems with multiple links. The efficiency, ergonomic design, usability, safety, and sustenance of rolling stock systems are essential for the economy and the society. Achieving greater reliability and ensuring workplace safety for staff and passengers is a crucial prerequisite of efficient rail operations.

To address these challenges, rail systems should be designed with human factors in mind. Comprehensive monitoring and evaluation throughout the development process is vital to ensure safety and reliability. TÜV SÜD offers our continuous involvement and expertise throughout the process to help you deliver reliable rail services.

Modern rail systems are intricate systems that integrate multiple human and technological factors. Comprehensive evaluation of user interfaces and workplaces is vital for the safe operation, usability, handling, and maintenance of rolling stock. The following factors increase the importance of holistic evaluation throughout the lifecycle.

Technological developments

AI, predictive maintenance, and automated train control increase the need for intuitive interfaces. Hydrogen mobility and driverless trains are on the rise.

Legacy systems integration

Legacy rail systems that use analogue controls need to be integrated with digital interfaces while maintaining usability and safety, which increases complexity.

Diverse regulatory standards

A variety of standards exist, such as EN 16186 (driver’s cab design), TSI PRM (accessibility), and ISO (ergonomics). Some emerging technologies lack standards.

Navigating varying standards (e.g., FRA regulations in the U.S. vs. EU TSI) complicates global product launches.

Universal design

Inclusive and ergonomic design becomes vital with aging populations and diverse mobility needs, such as wheelchair users and those with sensory impairments.

Cybersecurity

Connected human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are vulnerable to cyberattacks, requiring secure yet user-friendly authentication protocols.

Human error mitigation

70% of rail incidents involve human factors. This necessitates error-resistant designs for both operators and maintenance crews.

Cost vs safety pressures

Balancing budget constraints with high-cost safety enhancements such as emergency assistive systems is a key challenge that requires expertise.

TÜV SÜD has a broad range of experience in evaluating the operation and maintenance of rolling stock interfaces, from legal and normative framework conditions to complete trainset assessments.

Our experts provide evaluative support for the entire process from concept to design to implementation of human machine interfaces on rolling stock. We monitor and evaluate the entire development process, working towards increased effectiveness through continuous involvement and evaluation of the ongoing process results.

We are a holistic option that covers all relevant areas of expertise. Our experiences in projects around the world are based on early-stage involvement of conceptual design results of whole rolling stock units.

By reducing unnecessary process tasks, we can help you achieve greater efficiency. We can also deliver increased effectiveness through interim evaluations, with finally improved and healthy working conditions for the train and maintenance staff during the dedicated lifetime of a rolling stock product.

Our services include:

• Regulatory expertise – We help you achieve certification for a wide range of regulations in diverse markets, including EN 16186, TSI PRM, and ISO 45001. You can overcome the challenges of cross-regional compliance and navigate varying standards (e.g., FRA regulations in the US vs EU TSI) and simplify your global product launches.
• Cybersecurity audits – Risk assessments for connected systems, aligned with IEC 62443, to safeguard against breaches.
• Lifecycle support – We ensure sustained compliance and ergonomic design and efficiency from concept (design reviews) all the way until decommissioning (retrofit audits).
• Training programs – Custom workshops for operators on new interfaces, reducing onboarding time and error rates.