Method for Selecting Appropriate Sounds to Convey Alerts to Train Drivers

The increasing number and variety of sounds emitted inside driving cabs has created the concern that this may distract drivers. A process has been developed to select sounds and information conveyed through spoken messages (speech information) to ensure they reflect a level of warning commensurate with the importance of their content. This selection method was developed on the basis of interviews conducted with people responsible for system design, and tests and surveys carried out with on-board staff. The importance of the information to be conveyed was split into four categories (hazard level) according to the likelihood of an accident and example sounds and speech information were given for each hazard level based on the degree of warning to be impressed on drivers.