Modelling an Integrated Human Performance Model of the Train Driver

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to address the development an integrated performance model of train drivers. A human performance measure was developed by integrating several significant factors of the train driver. The evaluation was conducted on train drivers of a major train operating company (TOC) in Malaysia, focusing only on drivers of intercity passenger trains and freight trains. 229 respondents had participated in the quantitative paper-and-pencil survey conducted, and the data obtained was subsequently analysed using SPSS software and was then tested using structural equation modelling (SEM)-PLS approach in the SmartPLS software to determine the relationship among the significant factors of train driver performance. Fourteen factors were hypothesized and tested under the three main domains, namely human domain; activity domain; and lastly, the context domain. The results indicated that fatigue, job related tension (internal conflict) and occupational stress; under human domain were found to be the significant factors which influence the performance of train drivers. For the activity domain, hypothesis testing proved that driving task, was significant factor. In the context domain; three factors were found to be significant. These include safety culture, working environment and working condition. To summarize, the study identified a total of seven significant factors which include occupational stress, job related tension - internal conflict, fatigue, driving task, work environment, safety culture and working condition. However, the results have failed to support the remaining seven factors of job related tension (external conflict), job satisfactions, sleep, job demand, work facilities, and safety issue.