Purpose: In May 2012 UK visual standards for driving changed, in order to comply with European laws. Drivers need to have both a visual acuity of 6/12 AND be able to read a number plate at 20 metres. Previously the number plate test was the only visual acuity test. Methods: Four different distance visual acuity charts were used (Snellen, logMAR letter-similar to ETDRS, logMAR Landolt ring, distance reading acuity- similar to MNRead chart) and were presented at 6m. 120 drivers were tested binocularly without refractive correction. Participants were taken outside to perform the number plate test at 20m. A second study was conducted, with 38 participants whose vision was impaired to approximately 6/12 using simulation spectacles. Results: Differences between the visual acuities as measured by the charts were statistically but not clinically significant. For all charts there is an overlap zone within which participants may pass only one of the two tests, outside this range, participants pass or fail both tests. The 6/12 cut-off provides reasonable sensitivity and specificity for Snellen and logMAR letter charts. A poorer acuity cut-off was needed with the Landolt chart to maximize the relationship with the number plate test. Conclusions: The 6/12 visual cut-off and the number plate test will not always pass or fail the same drivers. Snellen and logMAR letter charts are recommended to be used to measure the visual acuity of drivers, but not Landolt rings. Fifteen percent of the sample could read a number plate at 20m, but was not able to achieve either 6/12 or +0.30 logMAR. The overlap zone is a helpful tool to identify those people who need advice from Eye Care Practitioners.

Compaction of soil is essential in the construction of highways, airports, buildings, and bridges. Typically compaction is controlled by measuring the dry density and the water content of the compacted soil and checking that target values have been achieved. There is a current trend towards measuring the soil modulus instead or in addition to density. The reasons are that the density measurements are made using nuclear density meter, an undesirable tool in today??s political environment and that pavement design uses moduli as an input parameter. Although there are many apparatus available to measure soil modulus in the field such as Falling Weight Deflectometer, Dynamic Cone Penetrometer and Seismic Pavement Analyzer, a light weight and easy to use device which can measure the soil modulus fast and accurately is in great need. Briaud Compaction Device (BCD) is a portable device which can measure a soil modulus in several seconds. The principle of the BCD is to use the bending of a plate resting on the ground surface as an indicator of the modulus of the soil below. Numerical simulations show that within a certain range, the soil modulus is simply related to the plate bending. Strain gauges are glued on the top of the plate of BCD and a double half Wheatstone bridge is used to measure the strain. BCD tests were done in parallel with plate tests of the same size. A good correlation was found between the ratio of the plate pressure over the bending strain measured with a BCD and the reload soil modulus obtained from the plate test. This correlation can be incorporated into the BCD processor to display the soil modulus directly. To transit from dry density based compaction control to modulus based compaction control, BCD tests were also performed in the laboratory on top of a soil sample compacted inside the Proctor mold followed by plate tests. That way, a soil modulus versus water content curve is developed which parallels the approach for the dry density versus water content. The soil modulus versus water content curve can be used to provide the target values for compaction control in the field.

Compaction of soil is essential in the construction of highways, airports, buildings, and bridges. Typically compaction is controlled by measuring the dry density and the water content of the compacted soil and checking that target values have been achieved. There is a current trend towards measuring the soil modulus instead or in addition to density. The reasons are that the density measurements are made using nuclear density meter, an undesirable tool in today??s political environment and that pavement design uses moduli as an input parameter. Although there are many apparatus available to measure soil modulus in the field such as Falling Weight Deflectometer, Dynamic Cone Penetrometer and Seismic Pavement Analyzer, a light weight and easy to use device which can measure the soil modulus fast and accurately is in great need. Briaud Compaction Device (BCD) is a portable device which can measure a soil modulus in several seconds. The principle of the BCD is to use the bending of a plate resting on the ground surface as an indicator of the modulus of the soil below. Numerical simulations show that within a certain range, the soil modulus is simply related to the plate bending. Strain gauges are glued on the top of the plate of BCD and a double half Wheatstone bridge is used to measure the strain. BCD tests were done in parallel with plate tests of the same size. A good correlation was found between the ratio of the plate pressure over the bending strain measured with a BCD and the reload soil modulus obtained from the plate test. This correlation can be incorporated into the BCD processor to display the soil modulus directly. To transit from dry density based compaction control to modulus based compaction control, BCD tests were also performed in the laboratory on top of a soil sample compacted inside the Proctor mold followed by plate tests. That way, a soil modulus versus water content curve is developed which parallels the approach for the dry density versus water content. The soil modulus versus water content curve can be used to provide the target values for compaction control in the field.

nÃo hà / A execuÃÃo de um projeto de fundaÃÃes superficiais requer um estudo prÃvio do subsolo de assentamento. Tal estudo inclui a estimativa da tensÃo admissÃvel e a previsÃo dos recalques aos quais a estrutura se submeterÃ. Para a previsÃo do comportamento mecÃnico, sÃo necessÃrias investigaÃÃes que tanto podem ser de campo como de laboratÃrio. Nesse contexto, o ensaio de prova de carga direta à uma alternativa interessante, pois, atravÃs dele, o comportamento da futura fundaÃÃo à reproduzido em escala praticamente real. O presente trabalho trata do estudo do comportamento de fundaÃÃes superficiais assentes em subsolos, da cidade de Fortaleza, arenosos de baixa compacidade, cuja previsÃo do comportamento à feita correntemente atravÃs de sondagens à percussÃo (SPT). A metodologia adotada no presente trabalho consiste na coleta de dados de ensaios de placa e sondagens à percussÃo em uma empresa local, coleta de amostras deformadas e caracterizaÃÃo geotÃcnica em laboratÃrio dos solos presentes nos locais de ensaio, previamente escolhidos, realizaÃÃo de provas de carga direta com placas de trÃs diÃmetros diferentes (30, 50 e 60 cm), e, por fim, realizaÃÃo de anÃlises com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho de solos arenosos de baixa compacidade atravÃs de mÃtodos consagrados para a previsÃo da tensÃo admissÃvel, do recalque e do coeficiente de reaÃÃo vertical. A partir daÃ, foi possÃvel avaliar o desempenho de diversos mÃtodos, usualmente utilizados, em projetos de fundaÃÃes superficiais na prÃtica de Fortaleza. Foi observado que a sondagem à percussÃo (SPT) nÃo à um ensaio apropriado para a previsÃo do comportamento de solos arenosos de baixa compacidade de Fortaleza. Nesses casos, a previsÃo da tensÃo admissÃvel deve ser feita pela realizaÃÃo de ensaios mais acurados como provas de carga direta, ensaio de cone (CPT) ou, atà mesmo, com o ensaio pressiomÃtrico. AlÃm disso, quanto ao coeficiente de reaÃÃo vertical, o ensaio de prova de carga direta forneceu resultados superiores aos obtidos de correlaÃÃes com o Ãndice de resistÃncia à penetraÃÃo (NSPT) de sondagens à percussÃo. Por fim, em relaÃÃo à estimativa de recalques, o mÃtodo semi-empÃrico de DÃcourt (1992) foi o que apresentou o melhor desempenho. / The implementation of a project of shallow foundations requires a prior study of the subsoil. This study includes an allowable stress estimative and prediction of settlements to which the structure will be subjected. To predict the mechanical behavior, investigations are required which can be both field and laboratory. In this context, the plate test is an interesting alternative because, through it, the future behavior of foundation is reproduced in virtually real scale. The present work deals with the study of the behavior of shallow foundations on soils in Fortaleza city, which are sandy low compactness, whose behavior prediction is done currently through the standard penetration test (SPT). The methodology adopted in this study consists of collecting data from plate test and standard penetration test in a local company; collecting disturbed samples in test sites and doing geotechnical characterization of soils in laboratory, previously chosen; performing plate tests with three different diameters (30, 50 and 60 cm), and, finally, analyzing in order to evaluate the performance of sandy soils of low compactness through established methods for predicting the admissible stress, the settlement and coefficient vertical reaction. From there, it was possible to evaluate the performance of several methods commonly used in projects of shallow foundations in practice in Fortaleza city. It was observed that the standard penetration test (SPT) is not an appropriate test for predicting the behavior of sandy soils of low compactness of Fortaleza. In these cases, the prediction of the allowable stress should be made by using more accurate tests like plate tests, cone test (CPT) or even the pressuremeter test (PMT). Moreover, as the coefficient of vertical reaction, the plate test provided superior results to those obtained from correlations with the SPT resistance (N-value). Finally, in relation to the estimation of settlements, the semiempirical method of DÃcourt (1992) showed the best performance.

Yes / A full-scale composite floor plate was tested to investigate the flexural behavior and in-plane effects of the floor slab in a grillage of composite beams that reduces the tendency for longitudinal splitting of the concrete slab along the line of the primary beams. This is important in cases where the steel decking is discontinuous when it is orientated parallel to the beams. In this case, it is important to demonstrate that the amount of transverse reinforcement required to transfer local forces from the shear connectors can be reduced relative to the requirements of Eurocode 4. The mechanism under study involved in-plane compression forces being developed in the slab due to the restraining action of the floor plate, which was held in position by the peripheral composite beams; while the secondary beams acted as transverse ties to resist the forces in the floor plate that would otherwise lead to splitting of the slab along the line of the primary beams. The tendency for cracking along the center line of the primary beam and at the peripheral beams was closely monitored. This is the first large floor plate test that has been carried out under laboratory conditions since the Cardington tests in the early 1990s, although those tests were not carried out to failure. This floor plate test was designed so that the longitudinal force transferred by the primary beams was relatively high (i.e., it was designed for full shear connection), but the transverse reinforcement was taken as the minimum of 0.2% of the concrete area. The test confirmed that the primary beams reached their plastic bending resistance despite the discontinuous decking and transverse reinforcement at the minimum percentage given in Eurocode 4. Based on this test, a reduction factor due to shear connectors at edge beams without U-bars is proposed.

Drivers for sustainability have made it necessary for the construction industry to adapt its traditional processes to become both more efficient and produce less waste. Performance based design and specification in the UK for motorways and trunk roads permits a very flexible approach to pavement design, material selection and performance related testing aimed at utilising materials to their maximum potential. However, it is clear that within the emerging philosophy of using materials that are 'fit for purpose' there are many technical challenges for design and specification. There is a need to develop suitable methods of evaluating materials prior to their being used on site. This project was born out of this requirement, with a particular emphasis on coarse granular materials due to their common role in capping construction and also their unique difficulty for measurement under laboratory conditions due to their large range of particle size. A novel assessment test for coarse capping materials for roads that can be used to indicate their likely short-term in situ performance, under controlled laboratory conditions before construction on site, has been developed during this research programme. Key findings relating to the behaviour of coarse capping materials, the use of stiffness measuring devices and variables that influence the measurement of composite stiffness are discussed in detail. The research highlights the necessity for adequate drainage and protection of foundation materials against increase in water content. When adopting a performance specification the timing of the pavement assessment is critical, both on site and in the laboratory. The performance measured on site should perhaps only be considered as a 'snapshot' relating to the stress state in the material at the time of testing.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:00:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1182383 bytes, checksum: 1ff4fac23517aa4b22351ae87d21b4be (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-07-08 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The a, b-epoxy-carvone (EC) monoterpene is found in many essential oils from plants, but can also be obtained through organic synthesis from the R-(-)-carvone. Previous studies have demonstrated that this compound exerts depressant effect on central nervous system (CNS), and is also known to have anticonvulsant effects, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. This study investigated the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects of EC in adult male Swiss mice, as well as, its effect on glutamatergic neurotransmission in rats using behavioral tests, vascular permeability test, measurement of paw edema and electrophysiological recordings in vitro, respectively. Intraperiotoneal administration (ip) of EC at doses of 200 or 300 mg/kg provided a significant antinociceptive effect as shown in the writhing test induced by acetic acid. The EC also caused a reduction in formalin-induced nociception in the first (at 300 mg/ g) and second phase (at 200 or 300 mg/kg). In the hot plate test an increase in latency was found at 30 min (at 200 or 300 mg/kg) and 60 min (300 mg/kg) after administration of EC, the effect that was reversed by naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist. After administration of EC (300 mg / kg), the increased vascular permeability induced by acetic acid was reduced, as well as the paw edema induced by carrageenan. The EC reduced by 70% the excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) field, as well as the glutamatergic EPSP of the pyramidal neurons from the CA1 hippocampal region and the neurons from the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). These results suggest that EC has peripheral and central antinociceptive activity in mice, probably related to opioid system activation and inhibition of acute inflammatory reaction. In addition, EC has depressant effects on excitatory postsynaptic neurotransmission. / A a,b-epoxy-carvona (EC) é um monoterpeno encontrado em muitos óleos essenciais (OE s) de plantas, mas também pode ser obtida por meio da síntese orgânica a partir da R-(-)-carvona. Estudos prévios demonstraram que esse composto exerce efeito depressor no sistema nervoso central (SNC), e é também conhecida por ter efeitos anticonvulsivantes, antioxidante e antimicrobial. O presente estudo investigou os efeitos antinociceptivo e anti-inflamatório da EC, em camundongos suíços machos adultos, bem como seu efeito sobre a neurotransmissão glutamatérgica em ratos usando testes comportamentais, teste da permeabilidade vascular, medida de edema de pata e registros eletrofisiológicos in vitro, respectivamente. A administração intraperiotoneal (i.p.) da EC nas doses de 200 ou 300 mg/kg promoveu um efeito antinociceptivo significante como mostrado no teste das contorções abdominais induzidas pelo ácido acético. A EC também provocou redução na nocicepção induzida pela formalina na primeira (300 mg/kg) e na segunda fase (200 e 300 mg/kg). No teste da placa quente foi encontrado um aumento da latência aos 30 min (nas doses de 200 ou 300 mg/kg) e aos 60 min (na dose de 300 mg/kg) após a administração da EC, um efeito que foi revertido pela naloxona, um antagonista do receptor opióide. Após a administração da EC (300 mg/kg), o aumento da permeabilidade vascular provocado pelo ácido acético foi reduzido, bem como, o edema de pata em camundongos provocada pela carragenina. A EC reduziu em 70% os potenciais pós-sinápticos excitatórios (PEPS) de campo como também os PEPS glutamatérgicos dos neurônios piramidais da região CA1 do hipocampo e dos neurônios do núcleo do trato solitário (NTS). Estes resultados sugerem que EC apresenta atividade antinociceptiva periférica e central em camundongos, provavelmente associada à ativação do sistema opioidérgico, e inibição da reação inflamatória aguda. Além disso, EC exerce efeito depressor na neurotransmissão pós-sináptica excitatória.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3116.pdf: 11974848 bytes, checksum: d69698c04f669985473e9e441c532444 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-12-11 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / In innate or learned threatening situations, animals display a set of defensive behaviors specie-specific such as autonomic alterations, flight, fight and antinociception. Exposure of mice to open elevated plus-maze (oEPM: four open arms), an aversive situation, elicits antinociception of high magnitude. However, mechanisms involved in this kind of antinociception are not clear yet. This study investigated whether antinociception induced by exposure to an oEPM shows cross-tolerance with morphine (Exp. I and II); is attenuated by repetead exposure to the oEPM (Exp. III); is blocked by systemic treatment with naltrexone (Exp. IV); is prevented by adrenalectomy (Exp. V); persists after animal removal from the oEPM and if there are sex-related differences in this factor (Exp. VI); is mediated by CB1 cannabinoid receptor (Exp. VII). Rats were daily treated with morphine (M, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) or distilled water (DW) for 5 consecutive days (antinociceptive tolerance assessed by the tailflick test). Next day, rats received formalin 2.5% injection (50 μL) into the right hind paw and, after first phase of formalin test, they were treated with M or DW. 25 minutes after formalin injection into the paw, time spent licking the injected paw was recorded for 10 minutes (Exp. 1). Similar procedure was followed in the Experiment II, except that time spent licking the paw was recorded during exposure to the oEPM or enclosed EPM (eEPM: four arms enclosed) in undrugged rats. In Experiment III, nociception was evaluated in rats submitted to 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 exposures to either eEPM or oEPM (formalin was injected only during the last exposure). Experiment IV investigated the effects of naltrexone (0 and 2.5 mg/kg; s.c.) on nociception during eEPM or oEPM exposure. Nociception was also assessed during the eEPM or oEPM exposure in sham and adrenalectomized rats (exp. V). In experiment VII, rats were treated with vehicle (DMSO 60%) or AM251 (1 mg/kg, i.p., CB1 receptor antagonist). Fifteen minutes later, animals received formalin injection into the paw and, 25 minutes after, they were exposed to the eEPM or oEPM. In experiment VI, male and female rats were exposed to eEPM or oEPM (with no noxious stimulus during exposure) and imediately after they were tested on the hot plate test (52.4 °C). Results showed that antinociception induced by oEPM does not display cross-tolerance to morphine; was not altered for at least 6 exposures to the maze; failed to be reversed by naltrexone; was not prevented by adrenalectomy and was not blocked by AM251. In addition, this antinociception does not persist after animal removal of the apparatus, by contrast, it occurs a hyperalgesia (as assessed by hot plate test), a response that does not depend on sex-related differences. Results suggest that antinociception induced by oEPM: is not mediated by opioid system or CB1 cannabinoid receptors and it is not sensitive to corticosterone. Furthermore, animal removal of aversive environment alters nociceptive response from antinociception to hyperalgesia, a phenomenon that is independent of the gender. / Em situações ameaçadoras de natureza inata ou aprendida, animais exibem um conjunto de comportamentos defensivos espécie-específicos, tais como alterações autonômicas, fuga, luta e antinocicepção. A exposição de camundongos ao labirinto em cruz elevado aberto (LCEa: quatro braços abertos), uma situação aversiva, induz antinocicepção de alta magnitude. Todavia, os mecansimos envolvidos em tal antinocicepção ainda não estão elucidados. O presente estudo investigou se a antinocicepção induzida por exposição ao LCEa: mostra tolerância cruzada a morfina (experimentos I e II); é atenuada por exposição repetida ao LCEa (experimento III); é revertida por tratamento sistêmico com naltrexona (experimento IV); é impedida por adrenalectomia (experimento V); persiste após remoção do animal do LCEa e se há diferenças relacionadas ao sexo neste fator (experimento VI); é mediada pelo receptor canabinóide, CB1 (experimento VII). Ratos foram diariamente tratados com morfina (M, 5 mg/Kg, i.p.) ou água destilada (AD) por 5 dias consecutivos (tolerância antinociceptiva avaliada pelo teste de retirada da cauda). No dia seguinte, os ratos receberam injeção de formalina 2,5% (50L) na pata traseira direita e, após a primeira fase do teste de formalina, foram tratados com M ou AD. Vinte e cinco minutos após injeção de formalina na pata, o tempo de lambidas na pata foi registrado por 10 minutos (experimento I). Procedimento semelhante foi utilizado no experimento II, exceto que o tempo de lambidas na pata foi registrado durante exposição ao LCEa ou LCE fechado (LCEf: quatro braços fechados). No experimento III, nocicepção foi avaliada em ratos submetidos a 1, 2, 3, 4 ou 6 exposições ao LCEf ou LCEa (formalina injetada somente durante a última exposição). O experimento IV investigou os efeitos de naltrexona (2,5 mg/kg; s.c.) sobre a nocicepção durante exposição ao LCEf ou LCEa. A nocicepção também foi avaliada durante exposição ao LCEf ou LCEa em ratos sham operados e adrenalectomizados (experimento V). No experimento VII, os ratos foram tratados com veículo (DMSO 60%) ou AM251 (1 mg/kg, i.p., antagonista CB1). Quinze minutos após, os animais receberam formalina na pata e, após 25 minutos, foram expostos ao LCEf ou LCEa. Já no experimento VI, ratos machos e fêmeas foram expostos ao LCEf ou LCEa, sem nenhum estímulo nociceptivo aplicado durante exposição e, imediatamente após, foram testados no teste da placa quente (52,4 °C). Os resultados mostraram que a antinocicepção induzida pelo LCEa não exibe tolerância cruzada a morfina; não foi alterada por ao menos 6 exposições ao labirinto; mostrou-se insensível à naltrexona; não foi impedida por adrenalectomia e não foi bloqueada por AM251. Ainda, tal antinocicepção não perdura após remoção dos animais do aparelho, pelo contrário, ocorre uma hiperalgesia (conforme avaliado pelo teste de placa quente), uma resposta que independe de diferenças relacionadas ao sexo. Os resultados sugerem que a antinocicepção induzida pelo LCEa: não é mediada por sistema opióide ou receptores canabinóides CB1 e não é sensível a corticosterona. Além disso, a retirada dos animais do ambiente aversivo altera a resposta nociceptiva de antinocicepção para hiperalgesia, um fenômeno que independe do gênero.

Introduction Colour codes are used extensively in railways to convey specific information governing movement of trains and equipment on the track. One such task is the railway traffic control display that uses colour coded video display terminals (VDTs) to convey information of the signal status, train movements and track status to the railway dispatcher. Because individuals with colour vision deficiencies (colour-defectives) may have problems with these colour-related tasks, questions were raised about the suitability of colour vision defectives to work as railway dispatchers. In order to answer that, a VDT based Dispatch Colour Vision Test based on the actual railway traffic display was developed previously. Purpose The main purpose of this thesis is to establish the pass/fail scores and repeatability of the VDT based Dispatch Colour Vision Test that resulted from the previous work. Secondly, the study will also examine whether clinical colour vision tests can predict the performance on the practical task. Methods The Dispatch colour vision test was divided into three parts based on the colour sets that the dispatcher had to recognize. The testing computer system used the the same RGB colour settings, graphics card and monitor as in railway dispatch centres. Subjects viewed the display colours and entered their responses by using a mouse. One hundred colour-normals and fifty two colour-defectives participated in the initial session. The test was repeated approximately after 10 days. Ninety three colour-normals (93%) and 44 (85%) colour-defectives participated in the second session. The total number of errors and time to complete the test was recorded. Results Pass/Fail on the VDT Dispatch colour vision test was based on colour-normal errors. Ignoring orange-red errors, two errors were allowed in the first session and one error was allowed in the second session. Based on this criterion, 42% of colour vision defectives could perform as well as colour normal subjects. The kappa coefficient of agreement between the sessions for the colour-defectives was 0.85. Detailed analysis between the colour differences and the errors showed only a weak correlation between the two. However, the general trend was that colour-defectives made more errors on colours that were near or along the same lines of confusions and the colours were nearly equal in luminance. Nevertheless, the interaction between luminance and location with respect to the lines of confusion was not easy to interpret. The time to complete the task for the colour-defectives who passed the test took 14% longer than colour-normals and colour-defectives who failed took 30% longer than colour-normals. All groups showed a similar learning effect with an 18% reduction in mean times to complete the task at the second session. There was no significant correlation between the number of errors and time to complete or the clinical tests and completion times for any of the groups. Clinical colour vision tests have limited value in predicting performance of colour-defectives on the Dispatch test. Logistic analysis results showed that the Farnsworth D-15 along with the Nagel was the best predictor of the VDT Dispatch colour test pass/fail results. However, these results were similar to using the Farnsworth D-15 test alone. Ninety-five percent of the individuals who failed the Farnsworth D-15 also failed the Dispatch test. However, approximately 25% of the individuals who passed the Farnsworth D-15 failed the VDT Dispatch colour test which is an unacceptable false negative rate. These results indicate the Farnsworth D-15 can only be used to predict who is likely to fail the dispatch test. Conclusions Forty two percent of colour vision defectives could perform as well as colour-normals in identifying VDT railway display colours and time to complete the task. Clinical colour vision tests were inadequate predictors of performance in practical task, overall. However, the Farnsworth D-15 was a very good predictor of who would fail the VDT Dispatch test. Hence a practical VDT Dispatch test may be needed to test individuals who would want to work as railway dispatchers.

Introduction Colour codes are used extensively in railways to convey specific information governing movement of trains and equipment on the track. One such task is the railway traffic control display that uses colour coded video display terminals (VDTs) to convey information of the signal status, train movements and track status to the railway dispatcher. Because individuals with colour vision deficiencies (colour-defectives) may have problems with these colour-related tasks, questions were raised about the suitability of colour vision defectives to work as railway dispatchers. In order to answer that, a VDT based Dispatch Colour Vision Test based on the actual railway traffic display was developed previously. Purpose The main purpose of this thesis is to establish the pass/fail scores and repeatability of the VDT based Dispatch Colour Vision Test that resulted from the previous work. Secondly, the study will also examine whether clinical colour vision tests can predict the performance on the practical task. Methods The Dispatch colour vision test was divided into three parts based on the colour sets that the dispatcher had to recognize. The testing computer system used the the same RGB colour settings, graphics card and monitor as in railway dispatch centres. Subjects viewed the display colours and entered their responses by using a mouse. One hundred colour-normals and fifty two colour-defectives participated in the initial session. The test was repeated approximately after 10 days. Ninety three colour-normals (93%) and 44 (85%) colour-defectives participated in the second session. The total number of errors and time to complete the test was recorded. Results Pass/Fail on the VDT Dispatch colour vision test was based on colour-normal errors. Ignoring orange-red errors, two errors were allowed in the first session and one error was allowed in the second session. Based on this criterion, 42% of colour vision defectives could perform as well as colour normal subjects. The kappa coefficient of agreement between the sessions for the colour-defectives was 0.85. Detailed analysis between the colour differences and the errors showed only a weak correlation between the two. However, the general trend was that colour-defectives made more errors on colours that were near or along the same lines of confusions and the colours were nearly equal in luminance. Nevertheless, the interaction between luminance and location with respect to the lines of confusion was not easy to interpret. The time to complete the task for the colour-defectives who passed the test took 14% longer than colour-normals and colour-defectives who failed took 30% longer than colour-normals. All groups showed a similar learning effect with an 18% reduction in mean times to complete the task at the second session. There was no significant correlation between the number of errors and time to complete or the clinical tests and completion times for any of the groups. Clinical colour vision tests have limited value in predicting performance of colour-defectives on the Dispatch test. Logistic analysis results showed that the Farnsworth D-15 along with the Nagel was the best predictor of the VDT Dispatch colour test pass/fail results. However, these results were similar to using the Farnsworth D-15 test alone. Ninety-five percent of the individuals who failed the Farnsworth D-15 also failed the Dispatch test. However, approximately 25% of the individuals who passed the Farnsworth D-15 failed the VDT Dispatch colour test which is an unacceptable false negative rate. These results indicate the Farnsworth D-15 can only be used to predict who is likely to fail the dispatch test. Conclusions Forty two percent of colour vision defectives could perform as well as colour-normals in identifying VDT railway display colours and time to complete the task. Clinical colour vision tests were inadequate predictors of performance in practical task, overall. However, the Farnsworth D-15 was a very good predictor of who would fail the VDT Dispatch test. Hence a practical VDT Dispatch test may be needed to test individuals who would want to work as railway dispatchers.