Strain in railroad maintenance workers caused by passing high-speed trains

49 maintenance workers experienced high speed trains driving past at 200, 280 and 300 km/h. while standing at distances of 3 or 3.30 m to the middle of track. Subjective indicators of strain as well as physiological stress indicators were recorded. While the psychological measures clearly differentiate between experimental conditions, the physiological indicators are ambiguous. However, while the experienced strain, queasiness and heart rate at 280 and 300 km/h were clearly higher than at 200 km/h the experienced differences between 280 and 300 km/h are not. Compared to other life situations, the strain caused by the examined trains is low.