The first game adapted to the cognitive challenges that Train Drivers face during day to day work.

The tasks performed in the game are based on years of research on the visual behavior of train drivers in a railway simulator. Therefore, although in the game, they can support Train Drivers in performing everyday tasks while driving a train.
Situational awareness (the ability to assess the situation and respond appropriately in a limited time) is an important factor in a Train Driver’s work. The game has dynamic mechanics and a variable level of difficulty, ensuring engaging gameplay and a training of practical mind skills.

Why situational awareness and cognitive skills are crucial for rail safety?

Situational awareness is knowing what is happening around you [1] and is crucial to safety. Situational awareness is directly related to cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and prediction.

The level of human cognitive processes declines with age [2], and as a result, situational awareness, especially in high-risk situations, may be reduced.

This cognitive decline phenomenon is particularly important from the perspective of railway safety. An example of human error that may be associated with this phenomenon is SPAD (signal passed at danger) when a train passes a stop signal when not allowed to do so.
Improving situational awareness and cognitive skills related to train driving is not just a matter of safety. It is also a matter of better well-being of the Train Driver, which may translate into greater commitment to work and motivation for continuous self-improvement.

Mental skills and gaming.
What do we know today.

The issue of training situational awareness and related cognitive skills is complex, but today’s knowledge confirms the possibility of using games to improve mental abilities. There are many guidelines that can increase the likelihood of a positive impact on a person’s cognitive condition.
The most groundbreaking discovery is the confirmation of the hypothesis that people who play games (especially action games) are better in many cognitive aspects than people who do not play games [3]. Additionally, it has also been proven that people who start playing can improve their cognitive condition in a relatively short time.
Action games typically contain features considered key to influencing cognitive function, such as: fast pace; a high degree of perceptual and motor load, but also working memory, planning and goal setting; emphasis on constantly switching between a highly focused state of attention and a more diffuse state of attention [4].

Mind Racer Rail is a game developed to maximize the positive and practical impact on the Train Driver, from the perspective of his work and well-being.

Game mechanics engaging situational awareness and various cognitive abilities related to it, at the same time, in different ways.
The game has mechanics that include many different tasks that involve cognitive skills. Due to the variability of the order of their occurrence and their level of difficulty, they engage the main three categories of cognitive abilities (memory, attention, prediction) related to situational awareness.
Tasks developed based on years of cooperation with railway drivers, which simulate real perceptual and cognitive problems that drivers encounter in their daily work.
Based on the research conducted on the visual behavior of train drivers using eye tracker devices, we have distinguished the main perceptual and cognitive problems that have a direct impact on railway safety. The game mechanics allow Train Drivers to practice various situations that involve the most important problems that railway drivers have to deal with in a state of stress, fatigue and monotony, conditions of reduced visibility and others.
Dynamic, engaging gameplay with motivators such as achievements and unlockable rewards.
The game uses mechanisms to ensure regular player engagement, necessary to maximize the positive effects that playing can bring. The difficulty level of the game increases linearly, so you can easily make real progress individually and in groups.
Continuous data analysis ensuring optimization of game parameters, tasks and individual mechanisms in such a way that they are effective for as many railway drivers as possible.
Since science still does not know what elements of the game have the greatest impact on increasing a person’s cognitive effectiveness, we constantly analyze game data and conduct our own research. This action allows us to create and implement new tasks into the game and relate their mechanics, parameters and effectiveness to a given person or group of railway drivers. Thanks to this, Mind Racer Rail is constantly developing and the effectiveness of the game is increased.
[1] Endsley, M. R., & Garland, D. J. (2000). Theoretical underpinnings of situation awareness: A critical review. Situation awareness analysis and measurement, 1(1), 3-21.

[2] Agarwal, S., Driscoll, J. C., Gabaix, X., & Laibson, D. (2009). What is the age of reason. Dementia, 80, 100.
[3] Green CS, Bavelier D. Action video game modifies visual selective attention. Nature. 2003;423(6939):534–537

[4] Bediou, B., Adams, D. M., Mayer, R. E., Tipton, E., Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2018). Meta-analysis of action video game impact on perceptual, attentional, and cognitive skills. Psychological bulletin, 144(1), 77.

The first game adapted to the cognitive challenges that Train Drivers face during day to day work.

Situational awareness (the ability to assess the situation and respond appropriately in a limited time) is an important factor in a Train Driver’s work. The game has dynamic mechanics and a variable level of difficulty, ensuring engaging gameplay and a training of practical mind skills.
The tasks performed in the game are based on years of research on the visual behavior of train drivers in a railway simulator. Therefore, although in the game, they can support Train Drivers in performing everyday tasks while driving a train.

Why situational awareness and cognitive skills are crucial for rail safety?

Situational awareness is knowing what is happening around you [1] and is crucial to safety. Situational awareness is directly related to cognitive abilities such as memory, attention, and prediction.
The level of human cognitive processes declines with age [2], and as a result, situational awareness, especially in high-risk situations, may be reduced.
This cognitive decline phenomenon is particularly important from the perspective of railway safety. An example of human error that may be associated with this phenomenon is SPAD (signal passed at danger) when a train passes a stop signal when not allowed to do so.
Improving situational awareness and cognitive skills related to train driving is not just a matter of safety. It is also a matter of better well-being of the Train Driver, which may translate into greater commitment to work and motivation for continuous self-improvement.

Mental skills and gaming. What do we know today.

The issue of training situational awareness and related cognitive skills is complex, but today’s knowledge confirms the possibility of using games to improve mental abilities. There are many guidelines that can increase the likelihood of a positive impact on a person’s cognitive condition.
The most groundbreaking discovery is the confirmation of the hypothesis that people who play games (especially action games) are better in many cognitive aspects than people who do not play games [3]. Additionally, it has also been proven that people who start playing can improve their cognitive condition in a relatively short time.
Action games typically contain features considered key to influencing cognitive function, such as: fast pace; a high degree of perceptual and motor load, but also working memory, planning and goal setting; emphasis on constantly switching between a highly focused state of attention and a more diffuse state of attention [4].

Mind Racer Rail is a game developed to maximize the positive and practical impact on the Train Driver, from the perspective of his work and well-being.

The game has mechanics that include many different tasks that involve cognitive skills. Due to the variability of the order of their occurrence and their level of difficulty, they engage the main three categories of cognitive abilities (memory, attention, prediction) related to situational awareness.
Game mechanics engaging situational awareness and various cognitive abilities related to it, at the same time, in different ways.
Based on the research conducted on the visual behavior of train drivers using eye tracker devices, we have distinguished the main perceptual and cognitive problems that have a direct impact on railway safety. The game mechanics allow Train Drivers to practice various situations that involve the most important problems that railway drivers have to deal with in a state of stress, fatigue and monotony, conditions of reduced visibility and others.
Tasks developed based on years of cooperation with railway drivers, which simulate real perceptual and cognitive problems that drivers encounter in their daily work.
The game uses mechanisms to ensure regular player engagement, necessary to maximize the positive effects that playing can bring. The difficulty level of the game increases linearly, so you can easily make real progress individually and in groups.
Dynamic, engaging gameplay with motivators such as achievements and unlockable rewards.
Since science still does not know what elements of the game have the greatest impact on increasing a person’s cognitive effectiveness, we constantly analyze game data and conduct our own research. This action allows us to create and implement new tasks into the game and relate their mechanics, parameters and effectiveness to a given person or group of railway drivers. Thanks to this, Mind Racer Rail is constantly developing and the effectiveness of the game is increased.
Continuous data analysis ensuring optimization of game parameters, tasks and individual mechanisms in such a way that they are effective for as many railway drivers as possible.
[3] Green CS, Bavelier D. Action video game modifies visual selective attention. Nature. 2003;423(6939):534–537

[4] Bediou, B., Adams, D. M., Mayer, R. E., Tipton, E., Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2018). Meta-analysis of action video game impact on perceptual, attentional, and cognitive skills. Psychological bulletin, 144(1), 77.
[1] Endsley, M. R., & Garland, D. J. (2000). Theoretical underpinnings of situation awareness: A critical review. Situation awareness analysis and measurement, 1(1), 3-21.

[2] Agarwal, S., Driscoll, J. C., Gabaix, X., & Laibson, D. (2009). What is the age of reason. Dementia, 80, 100.