Understanding Crane Operators’ Hazard Identification and Reaction through Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Eye-tracking Measurements in the Virtual Environment

Crane operations are rare but dangerous, and many accidents happen because operators fail to notice hazards early enough. This thesis uses VR simulations, eye-tracking, and EEG to understand how operators recognise risks and how their brains and eyes respond at the moment danger appears. The research examines how scene realism, visibility, and hazard type influence performance, how experience and safety knowledge shape behaviour, and what patterns of attention and brain activity distinguish successful operators. These findings help explain why some hazards are missed and offer evidence-based guidance for improving training and safety monitoring in construction.