Abstract

Purpose: Apply HEAR to driver-related human-error incidents in Korea—especially high-speed train operations—to identify dominant error–cause–outcome patterns and practical implications. Research design, data and methodology: Retrospective review of Korea Railroad Corporation records (2012–2021). We selected driver-related human-error cases and isolated high-speed operations. Errors were classified as execution, decision-making, situational judgment, or information perception; causes and outcomes were standardized. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations summarized distributions and frequent combinations. Results: By train type, incidents: conventional 45%, urban 39%, high-speed 16%. In the high-speed subset, decision-making errors predominated. Leading causes were improper work methods and negligent equipment handling; leading outcomes were service disruption, then worker injury and emergency stop. About 25% caused actual damage; injuries were approximately 20%. Conclusions: Priorities include refined SOPs and dual checks for high-risk tasks, simulator-based repetitive training with real-time risk feedback, improved working conditions (fatigue and cab air quality), and deployment of driver-assistance and automatic safety systems (e.g., ATS). The HEAR-based schema exposes a small set of decision-linked patterns explaining much of the risk in high-speed operations.