Do Different Driving Styles Affect Punctuality?

[Llandudno]

I have often wondered if there is much variance in how some drivers drive their trains?

Are some drivers more cautious when driving and tend to accelerate more slowly or not push the loco/unit too much when crossing points or around curves or in reduced visibility, or during leaf fall season?
Do some drivers brake harshly or are others braking early and ease more gently into the platform?

Does any variation in driving method affect train punctuality and are drivers monitored to see if there are any noticeable patterns which may impact punctuality?

Or is driving training so extensive that virtually every driver drives the train the same as all the others?

There are lots of different driving styles on our A roads and motorways, many of them questionable (!) is the rail network any different?

 

[hexagon789]

I have often wondered if there is much variance in how some drivers drive their trains?

Are some drivers more cautious when driving and tend to accelerate more slowly or not push the loco/unit too much when crossing points or around curves or in reduced visibility, or during leaf fall season?
Do some drivers brake harshly or are others braking early and ease more gently into the platform?

Does any variation in driving method affect train punctuality and are drivers monitored to see if there are any noticeable patterns which may impact punctuality?

Or is driving training so extensive that virtually every driver drives the train the same as all the others?

There are lots of different driving styles on our A roads and motorways, many of them questionable (!) is the rail network any different?

Yes, there is definitely variance!

Personally I notice it more in braking technique.

 

[bramling]

I have often wondered if there is much variance in how some drivers drive their trains?

Are some drivers more cautious when driving and tend to accelerate more slowly or not push the loco/unit too much when crossing points or around curves or in reduced visibility, or during leaf fall season?
Do some drivers brake harshly or are others braking early and ease more gently into the platform?

Does any variation in driving method affect train punctuality and are drivers monitored to see if there are any noticeable patterns which may impact punctuality?

Or is driving training so extensive that virtually every driver drives the train the same as all the others?

There are lots of different driving styles on our A roads and motorways, many of them questionable (!) is the rail network any different?

It has tended to be the case that driving has become a lot more regimental over the last 25 years or so, although I’m beginning to notice some more variation again.

The main differences that can still be seen are
* some drivers brake later and harder
* some will pace their speed more when following something whilst others will just follow what the signal aspects show
* some hover slightly below the permissible speed whilst others drive right on it

LU has a lot more variation between different drivers where trains are manually driven. Some drivers have utterly atrocious technique nowadays.

 

[Bevan Price]

Yes. There are different driving styles. As a passenger interested in train timing, you cannot always tell on starting whether differences due to driver, or to train performance. However braking on approach to station can lead to very different running times - and that can affect punctuality. I have noted diferences as much as 30-40 seconds in approach times to some stations (with "clear" roads into that station. )

 

[king_walnut]

If there's 3 miles from station A to station B and the line speed is 70mph and the driver takes it right up to that - taking into account a very rough assumption on acceleration and braking then it'll do that journey in around five minutes.

Now, assume the same hypothetical train with same acceleration speed and braking but this time the driver is more cautious and only reaches a maximum of 63mph - that journey will take around 11 seconds longer.

Most timetabling gives a dwell time at stations so driving at a bit more of a leisurely pace won't generally lead to the train running late.

 

[The Planner]

If there's 3 miles from station A to station B and the line speed is 70mph and the driver takes it right up to that - taking into account a very rough assumption on acceleration and braking then it'll do that journey in around five minutes.

Now, assume the same hypothetical train with same acceleration speed and braking but this time the driver is more cautious and only reaches a maximum of 63mph - that journey will take around 11 seconds longer.

Most timetabling gives a dwell time at stations so driving at a bit more of a leisurely pace won't generally lead to the train running late.

It depends on how the running times have been rounded. That 11 seconds can tip you into the next half minute. Dwell times are now problematic as they are now needing more time than is available. It easily adds up on a stopping service. Running times generally assume you get to line speed where possible.

 

[Stossgebet]

I think you'll find most drivers, after a few years experience, will have multiple different driving 'styles' for the given circumstances.
Those circumstances being things like... nice dry summers day vs wet winter day. Runming late and braking later than normal to pull back some seconds, vs running late and following a slower train, so coasting and holding speed rigbt back. Braking gently into tight platforms vs braking harder into long platforms. Kniowledge of the timetable where they know there's no point racing towards a junction, when experience tells tem they will be held there for another train.

And you'll sometimes see these diifferent styles all in the same journey. Or across thensame shift of one driver.

 

[CarrotPie]

It has tended to be the case that driving has become a lot more regimental over the last 25 years or so, although I’m beginning to notice some more variation again.

The main differences that can still be seen are
* some drivers brake later and harder
* some will pace their speed more when following something whilst others will just follow what the signal aspects show
* some hover slightly below the permissible speed whilst others drive right on it

LU has a lot more variation between different drivers where trains are manually driven. Some drivers have utterly atrocious technique nowadays.

Other differences I've noticed include:
* some will ease off the brakes just before coming to a stand whilst others will keep it in full service and give everyone whiplash
* when accelerating up to line speed some will keep accelerating as necessary to stay at that speed, whereas others will coast for a much longer time and let the speed drop by 10-20 mph before accelerating again
* some drivers will open the doors as soon as the train will let them (before stopping on certain trains) and accelerate as soon as they get interlock, whereas others will stop, make a cup of tea, then open the doors, then wait until departure time, close the doors, make another cup of tea, then depart.

This last obviously depends a bit on company policy and is most relevant on the DOO railway, especially metro systems (e.g. LUL, Tyne & Wear).

 

[Horizon22]

Yes they do - "defensive driving" is common with metro operators and can cause minor impacts in delays and punctuality. This might just be a few seconds but after say, 10 stops, that might add up to 1-2 minutes.

Some are more cautious than others, which might be due to a range of circumstances.

 

[Bald Rick]

I have often wondered if there is much variance in how some drivers drive their trains?

Yes, quite a variance, even within the same TOC.

Does any variation in driving method affect train punctuality

Yes, considerably. Cautious driving also affects safety, as it means drivers of trains behind are more likely to see cautionary signals. And when delays compound, it is more likely to trigger overcrowding on trains and at stations.

and are drivers monitored to see if there are any noticeable patterns which may impact punctuality?

Not routinely.

 

[Harpo]

It’s a good question and the complete reverse of how things were until a couple of decades ago where driver variation was an assumed fact of life, the same as variation between allegedly identical traction units.

Driving policies as written documents are also a relatively recent creation.