AuDiBaF
Automation and Digitalisation of railway operational functions
Projects Partners
Funding Agency
supported by:
German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport's Public Information Service
Grant Number: 19DZ23001A
Duration
January 2024 to December 2026
Description
Source: Adobe Stock / naka
The project AuDiBaF focuses on the remote control of trains as part of the automation of rail transport. The aims are to research distribution models for the development of a digital twin for a human-rail operating model, prototype development and the evaluation of a teleoperation workstation. In addition, the digitalisation of control and safety technology will be analysed with the virtualisation of balise (partial) functions in order to increase track capacities.
In the AuDiBaF project, the Professorship of Cognitive Psychology and Human Factors develops the use cases in cooperation with other professorships and determine the requirements for a teleoperated workplace. Based on this, a prototype workplace will be designed and tested using an empirical and human-centred approach.
News
The AHF at the Digital Rail Convention in Annaberg
The department was represented at this year’s DRC with a workstream on takeover requests and a presentation on current project results regarding train monitoring and control. For the first time, the prototype setup of a teleoperated workstation for remote-controlled train connections was also presented, which transmitted live images of a locomotive on the track around Annaberg during DemoDay. Visitors were able to learn about the project, familiarize themselves with human factors research methods, and experience them firsthand.
Publications
- Schmieder, B. (2026, January 20). Human–Machine Interaction in Railway Operations: Integration and Monitoring of Teleoperated Workstations with Auditory Warning Systems [Workshop]. DZM Winter School, Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany.
- Schmieder, B., Wehner, U. & Brandenburg, S. (2025). Mensch-Technik-Interaktion im Bahnbetrieb - Untersuchung Train Monitoring and Control (psychologisch und technisch). 2nd DZM Vernetzungskonferenz. September 24th, Berlin, Germany.
- Schmieder, B., Wehner, U. & Brandenburg, S. (2025). Mensch-Technik-Interaktion im Bahnbetrieb - Untersuchung Train Monitoring and Control (psychologisch und technisch). 3rd Digital Rail Convention. September 17th -18th, Annaberg-Buchholz, Germany.
- Schmieder, B., Hensch, A.-C. & Brandenburg, S. (2025). Human-Centered Workplace Design for Remote Operators when Shunting Automated Rail Systems. In A.-C. Hensch, C. Hübner, J. Bornemeier, J. F. Krems, & S. Brandenburg (Eds.), Proceedings of the 9th Humanist Virtual Centre of Excellence Conference 2025. University Press Chemnitz. https://doi.org/10.60687/2025-0196
- Schmieder, B., Liehr, D., Friedel, S., Wehner, U., & Brandenburg, S. (2025). Human-Machine Cooperation for Automated Trains: Tasks and Workplace Design for Remote-Operated Shunting in Depots. 6th German Conference on Rail Human Factors, February 18th -19th, Berlin, Germany.
- Schmieder, B., Hensch, A.-C., & Brandenburg, S. (2025). The influence of auditive warning systems of teleoperated trains on the performance of remote operators. 5. Kongress der Verkehrspsychologie, March 19th - 20th, Munich, Germany.
- Schmieder, B., Hensch, A.-C., & Brandenburg, S. (2025). Remote Control of Automated Trains. UITP Summit, June 16th - 18th, Hamburg, Germany.
- Schmieder, B. (2024). Don’t stop me now: Reaction times and sensitivity of remote operators in teleoperated train systems. Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Europe Chapter, April 16-19, Lübeck, Germany.
- Schmieder, B. & Liehr, D. (2024). Teleoperated Train Driving: Performance and Preferences of Remote Operators with Different Alert Systems. International Summer School for Humans & Technologies, September 26-28, Braunschweig, Germany. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14236695
