On Dec 15, Beijing Jiaotong University released the research achievement of China’s first bullet train drivers adaptability testing system, which has been applied in the selection of more than 12,000 drivers.

Adaptability testing has set up nine items, including distribution of attention, learning capability, and instantaneous memory with an aim to eliminate those with tendencies of emotional instability, anxiety or fatigue and to ensure railway safety.

Eighty percent of rail transport accidents happen because of human failure. Compared with traditional lines, bullet trains have higher running speeds and more accurate operation requirements which necessitate a higher driving adaption level, according to Ye Long, chief of the university’s Occupational Adaptability Research Center for key positions of rail transit operations.

The research group also works on the elaboration of adaptability testing standards of bullet train driving and standards revision in locomotive drivers’ occupational health examinations. Ye said that the adaptability testing system will possibly be applied to these standards next year.