After a 10 years-career working as a Train Driver in cross-border freight trains in HSR, long-distance and high-speed trains for RENFE (with multiple certifications on ETCS), Paolo joined the Federation of European Train Drivers’ Unions (ALE) in 2021. Currently he is a member of the ERA Working Group ERTMS OH and ETI-OPE and the Coordinator for Institutional Affairs in SEMAF. He holds a master’s degree in Intercultural Science and techniques and a post-degree in Sociology. 

ETCS: how the elements of automation are affecting Train Drivers’ individual cognitive ability

In an ETCS/ATO environment low task demands affect negatively cognitive abilities, reducing situational awareness and consequently the problem-solving role of Train Drivers. Enhancement of ERTMS technology should take more into account the Working Memory variables in order to achieve better results from this integration of automation into human-related tasks.