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            In This Section
        eLearning: Attention
                The Attention Game
                Attention & Distraction
                                Attention: Definition and Examples
                Tasks & Demands
                Distraction: Definition and Examples
                Strategies to Manage Distractions
                The Cost of Distraction
                                First person: Distraction and its Consequences
                Attention Related Accidents
                BNSF coal train collision
                Metrolink 111 collision with UP. Chatsworth. Sept 2008
                Canadian National collision, Two Harbors MN Sept 2010.
                HiRail collision, Rockville, MD. Jan 2010
                Rear end collision, Mineral Springs NC
                Pedestrian fatality, West Jordan, UT
                Rear end collision, Westville IN
                Derailment, Bronx NY Dec 2013
                Port Authority collision, Hoboken NJ, May 2011
                Santiago de Compostela derailment, July 2013
                Amtrak 188 Derailment May 2015
                Bad Aibling, GER Collision, February 2016
                Human Systems Integration
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                Field Observation
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                Rapid Prototyping
    

    
    
          Rapid prototyping (RP) is a research and development process used quickly builds rough, then more refined, versions of a solution following the “spiral design” process described on the Human Systems Integration page. To build a display, for example, development team members first create a simple series of simulated screens on paper. Describing a scenario and having users walk through “using” the system as it is set up tells the team what does and does not work well.  Using what was learned, the team can then set up a quick interactive software version with a structure and simple functions programmed to control us. Another user walk through tells the team more, which they can learn to develop a third more sophisticated version. Each time, the team spends a modest effort but learns a lot about making the display match what users need. The process works for any solution intended for users, from displays, to controls, workstations, and more.

**Participatory Design**

Users have worked along with development teams since Czyzewski et al (1990) conceived of participatory design as a better way to develop  computer systems. Their approach:

Seeks to give workers better tools for doing their jobs (rather than automate worker skills)
	Assumes workers are in the best position to determine how to improve their work
	Views worker perceptions of and feelings about technology as being at least important as what can be done with technology
	Views applications in the context of the workplace, as processes and not productsParticipatory design takes a broader view than a single product, changing the process from “..custom software development to empowering users in assessing their own practice and technology use (Obendorf et al 1996).” The process can be used for physical objects such as workstations, software, and even work processes. In each case, those who will use the end result have a strong voice in the end result and how it will affect their performance.  Usability assessment methods are often used to verify how well results meet user needs..
              Sources
      
                              
                  
                  Czyzewski, P., Johnson, J. and Roberts, E., “Introduction – Purpose of PDC ’90,” in *Proceedings**of PDC 1990*, CPSR, 1990, pp. i-ii.
	Obendorf, H., Janneck, M. & Finck, M. (2009). Inter-Contextual Distributed Participatory Design. *Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems*. 21(1): Article 2. Available at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/ sjis/vol21/iss1/2
      
    
          Last updated: Saturday, November 2, 2019 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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