AS 7470 Human Factors Integration and Technical Requirements for Rail Engineering Projects

This Standard has been prepared to support Human Factors Integration (HFI) into the system lifecycle within the Australian Rail Industry. The information presented in this Standard is consistent with the Rail Safety National Law (RSNL) in providing assistance for RTOs to meet their requirements under RSNL Regulations 2012, Schedule 1, Clause 17. Specifically, RTOs are required to have procedures to ensure that human factor (HF) matters are taken into account during the development, operation and maintenance of the safety management system and for the integration of HF principles and knowledge into all relevant aspects of operational and business systems. This Standard describes the requirements for organisations conducting or procuring engineering design activities, services, or products to incorporate HFI into the engineering design process and facilitate a high level of system acceptance amongst end users.

The aim of the HFI process is to identify then mitigate and prevent HF related risk and ensure that human-system interactions are optimized for system performance, safety, and fitness for purpose.

The aim of the requirements specified in this document is to optimize overall system performance through the systematic consideration of human capabilities and limitations as inputs to an iterative design process.

For an operational system to deliver the expected benefits, it is essential that the human interactions with or within the system and system elements are well designed through the application of established HF principles, knowledge, and methods. The process for achieving this is HFI.

A supplier of engineered assets to the Australian rail industry is responsible for ensuring that the assets and systems they provide are safe to operate and maintain, and that all safety risks have either been eliminated or managed so far as is reasonably practicable (SFAIRP). Supporting evidence, demonstrating HFI in safety risk management activities, will provide an important contribution to an overall safety and operational assurance argument for most assets.

The benefits of considering HF in the design process are not limited to safety. Equally valuable benefits can be gained regarding the operation and maintenance of the system. These include but are not limited to: improving effectiveness; and improved user comfort; and increased system acceptance; and minimising errors. To achieve these benefits, it is important to take HF into account early, starting with feasibility, solution optioneering, conceptualising, and throughout the full design process. In addition, information can be found in the supporting RISSB Guidelines for the Integration of Human Factors Across the Project Lifecycle and the Integration of Human Factors in Engineering Design.

AS 7470 is a Standard in the Australian rail industry that focuses on integrating human factors (HFI) into the technical and operational requirements of rail engineering projects. Its main objective is to enhance safety, efficiency, and overall interoperability of rail systems by ensuring that human factors—such as the design of controls, interfaces, work processes, and environments—are considered early in project development.

The Standard emphasizes a human-centered design approach, which aims to account for human capabilities and limitations to reduce errors, increase efficiency, and improve user satisfaction. Human factors are integrated throughout the entire project lifecycle, from concept and design to operation and maintenance, ensuring that human needs and safety are addressed at every stage.

AS 7470 also establishes a risk management approach, providing guidelines for identifying, assessing, and mitigating human factors risks that could affect safety, operational effectiveness, or system reliability.

The Standard outlines specific compliance requirements for rail engineering projects, including documenting human factors considerations, conducting usability testing, and engaging human factors experts. Furthermore, it encourages collaborative development by fostering teamwork among multidisciplinary professionals, such as engineers, human factors specialists, and end-users, to tackle a wide range of human factors issues.

Recent updates to AS 7470 typically focus on enhancing clarity, aligning with industry best practices, and incorporating new insights in human factors engineering. These updates often include enhanced guidance on usability testing, providing more detailed requirements for testing and validation to ensure that human factors risks are effectively identified and mitigated. Additionally, there are updated risk assessment tools that introduce new or refined methodologies for evaluating human factors risks.

The updates also aim to improve the alignment of AS 7470 with global Standards, such as EN 50126, which addresses rail reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety (RAMS). This alignment facilitates easier integration with systems developed under different regulatory frameworks.

Overall, these revisions are designed to make the Standard more practical and applicable, ultimately improving the efficiency and safety of human factors integration in rail engineering projects.

AS 7470 enhances safety by proactively addressing human factors, helping to reduce the likelihood of accidents and operational errors that can result from poor design, complex interfaces, or inadequate training. The Standard also sets consistent design requirements to improve interoperability across rail systems, making it easier to integrate equipment and processes from different providers and regions. In addition, AS 7470 includes guidelines for training and user support, ensuring that personnel are well-prepared to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot rail systems safely and effectively.

The Standard also takes a systematic approach to managing human error by considering the mental and physical demands placed on operators. It provides designs that support safe and efficient performance, particularly in high-stress or emergency situations, helping to minimize the risk of human error and optimize overall system reliability.

The use of AS 7470 helps manage several key risks in rail systems. One of the primary risks addressed is human error, by identifying and mitigating design factors that could lead to mistakes, such as poorly designed controls or confusing interfaces.

It also tackles operational inefficiencies by optimizing human-machine interactions to ensure smooth and effective system performance. The Standard addresses risks related to workload and fatigue by designing systems that are intuitive, reducing cognitive and physical strain on operators.

To prevent communication breakdowns, particularly in complex environments involving multiple systems or stakeholders, AS 7470 establishes clear, user-centered communication protocols.

Additionally, the Standard helps manage the risks associated with adaptation to new technologies, ensuring that human factors are considered during the integration of new systems to minimize user resistance or misuse of technology.

To implement AS 7470 into your organization, you can follow these steps:

1. Establish a Human Factors Integration (HFI) Team: Form a multidisciplinary team that includes human factors specialists, engineers, safety experts, and end-users. This team will be responsible for ensuring human factors considerations are incorporated at all stages of the project.
2. Conduct Human Factors Training: Train key personnel in the principles of human factors and the specific requirements of AS 7470. This will ensure that everyone involved understands the importance of human factors and how to apply them effectively to their projects.
3. Integrate HFI into Project Planning: Incorporate human factors considerations early in the project planning process. This should include addressing these factors during design reviews, risk assessments, and usability testing to ensure they are integrated throughout the project lifecycle.
4. Develop a Documentation Process: Establish a robust process for documenting human factors analyses, usability tests, and mitigations. This is crucial for ensuring compliance with AS 7470 and for maintaining a record of human factors considerations for future reference.
5. Engage External HFI Experts if Needed: For more complex projects, consider bringing in external human factors consultants who are well-versed in AS 7470 to provide specialized expertise and guidance.
6. Monitor and Evaluate Compliance: Regularly review projects to ensure ongoing compliance with AS 7470. This involves assessing how well human factors are integrated and using lessons learned to refine and improve the integration process for future projects.
7. Incorporate Feedback Loops: Establish processes for gathering feedback from operators and end-users throughout the project and during operations. This feedback should be used to make continuous improvements in line with human factors insights, ensuring the system remains efficient, safe, and user-friendly.

By following these steps, you can effectively integrate AS 7470 into your organization’s projects, improving safety, efficiency, and overall system performance.