Applying the HEART Technique to Identify and Assess the Human Error in the Central Railway Traffic Control Room

Human error can occur in many work environments, especially in control rooms. Due to the vital role of the central railway traffic control room in guiding and controlling all types of trains along the railway network, any error in this control room can lead to a catastrophic accident. This study aims to identify and assess human error in the central control room of railway traffic using the HEART technique.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 2021. In this research, tasks and sub-tasks were identified using the hierarchical task analysis (HTA) method. Then, the probability of human error was assessed using the HEART technique.

Based on the results of the HTA method, 67 main tasks, and 149 sub-tasks were identified. The study results on the probability of human error using the HEART technique showed that the three main tasks of the traffic expert (distribution of types of diesel, establishing the freight priority, and planning the movement of trains) had the highest probability of error. In addition, the most critical factors influencing human error were “evidence of illness among employees”, “sleep disorder”, “inexperience”, “unfamiliarity”, and “stress”.

The results of this study indicated that the central railway traffic control room employees are prone to errors, and if these staff make errors, irreparable accidents will occur. To reduce the probability of error of these employees, measures should be considered, such as using regular and appropriate shifts, the use of skilled and competent people, and so on.