The Peculiarities of Professionally Important Qualities of the Members of Locomotive Brigades of Railway Transport

Abstract

Introduction. The article covers the issue of professional selection and determination of the set of qualities that should be possessed by the specialists of “person – machines” field, in particular, workers of locomotive brigades. The issue of assessing the professional suitability of operators of locomotives in Russia was raised in the late XIX century by railway engineers-administrators. However, the study of professionally important qualities of the members of the locomotive crews proves to be relevant today. The practical importance of corresponding research is related to ensuring the safety of trains movement. Materials and Methods. The study incorporated a combination of methods: literature analysis, testing (methods for diagnostics of level of personal risk readiness “PSK” R. Schubert, test “A study of volitional self-regulation” A. V. Zverkova, E. V. Eydman, methodology for perceptual assessment of stress), the survey (questionnaire). Spearman rank correlation method was used for statistical analysis of empirical data. Results. The article describes the results of empirical research of peculiarities of professionally important qualities of locomotive brigade workers. In particular, the authors introduce the data of diagnostics of volitional self-regulation and stress resistance of locomotive drivers and assistant drivers, and also results of measuring their risk tolerance, considered as an anti-PVK. It was revealed that the majority of the tested workers of locomotive brigades demonstrate low and medium levels of personal readiness to take risks, they are not inclined to act rashly and randomly. The majority of drivers and their assistants have a high level of volitional self-regulation development, i.e., they are emotionally mature, active, independent and self-reliant. Three quarters of the surveyed workers from the locomotive crews demonstrated a high level of perseverance and an overwhelming majority showed highly developed self-control. More than a half of the sample turned out to be representatives of the B type stress, i. e., stress-resistant people. However, more than a third of the members of locomotive crews tend to exhibit A type stress. They showed manifestations of aggressiveness, impatience, and intolerance to stress. The article contains the analysis of the survey of the locomotive staff members concerning the qualities required for the representatives of their profession. Most frequent feedback among the responses was about volitional traits expressing attitude to work and to other people. The survey revealed the particular importance of fostering some psychological qualities of the locomotive drivers and their assistants: patience, attentiveness, responsibility, determination, self-confidence, vigilance, diligence. Correlation analysis of empirical data using Spearman’s rank correlation determined the presence of statistically significant connection of volitional self-regulation and self-control with the types of stress resistance. There is an average force feedback between the indicated qualities of workers of locomotive brigades. The data of correlation analysis and test logic, used to measure stress resistance, suggest that higher level of volitional self-regulation development and self-control as its component inevitably boost better stress resistance of locomotive crew members. Discussion and Conclusion. Efficiency of professional activities of locomotive brigade members of a depot can be bettered by means of training exercises, carried out by a specialist of psychological profile, involving locomotive drivers and their assistants. The exercises should be targeted at the development of volitional self-regulation, and its element self-control, thus contributing to stress resistance improvement.