Railway accidents after the war have frequently been caused by human errors. As a countermeasure against this tendency, a system of aptitude tests was formulated in 1949. The author reviewed the history of the system and the studies of the aptitude tests at the Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI). In about 50 years since the aptitude tests were introduced into railways, railway facilities and safety installations have considerably improved, whereas the system of aptitude test remains almost unchanged. It seems necessary, therefore, to investigate the contents and validity of the aptitude tests.

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