bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of 3D Auditory Display on Dual Task Performance in a Simulated Multiscreen Watchstation Environment
Authors: Brock Derek , Stroup Janet L. , Ballas James A.
Published: January 2012

It is anticipated that watchstation operators in future U. S. Navy command and control environments will work in multitask settings that raise substantial performance and attention management challenges for user interfaces. To evaluate the capacity of an auditory display to contribute to the resolution of these concerns, we constructed a mockup of the Navy's current advanced multi-modal watchstation design and conducted a dual-task experiment that manipulated the visual distance between the task displays and the use of spatialized sound to direct attention (auditory deixis). Subjects in the repeated measures design were asked to carry out a continuous tracking task and a tactical decision task at the same time. Deictic sound had significant, positive effects on subjects' performance on the tactical task—response times were improved and there were fewer head movements. Furthermore, these benefits were achieved with no loss in tactical decision accuracy and no degradation in performance on the tracking task.
Sonification Design for Real-Time Processes: Issues and a Demonstration
Authors: Anderson Janet , Sanderson Penelope
Published: January 2012

While interest is growing in the possible advantages of sonifiying physiological information in the operating room, principles to guide the design of sonifications have not been folly developed. An unresolved question concerns the number of auditory streams that can be monitored and the number of auditory dimensions carrying information within a stream that can be monitored. This question has implications for the effective operation of selective and divided attention. This experiment explored the perceptual limits of attending to six acoustic parameters of one sound stream. A range of discriminable differences was developed for each of six acoustic parameters. Performance on a discrimination task for all six acoustic parameters was significantly different from chance when only one acoustic parameter changed. Performance levels significantly different from chance were obtained for five of the six acoustic parameters when one other distractor parameter also changed. However, performance dropped to below chance for all parameters when five distractor parameters also changed. The results are discussed in the context of ongoing research that approaches the design problem from both a perceptual perspective and a cognitive, strategic perspective.
Artitioning Visual Displays: Directing the Path of Visual Search
Authors: Haimson Craig , Anderson John R.
Published: January 2012

We reduced time to detect target symbols in mock radar screens by partitioning displays in accordance with task instructions. Targets appeared among distractor symbols either close to or far from the display center, and participants were instructed to find the target closest to the center. Search time increased with both number of distractors and distance of target from center, and the effect of distractors was considerably greater for far than close targets. However, when close and far regions were delineated by a centrally-presented “range ring”, the distractor effect was substantially reduced, especially for far targets. We suggest that range rings focus attention on specific regions of the screen and aid in the determining of which regions have already been searched.
Reading Vertical Text: Rotated VS. marquee
Authors: Byrne Michael D.
Published: January 2012

There are numerous design situations in which it impossible to present English text in its normal horizontal orientation. There are multiple options available when text must be presented vertically: rotating horizontal text 90° to the left or to the right, or in a downward cascade of letters such as on a theater marquee. While it seems intuitive that horizontal text will be recognized faster than vertical text, which presentation format is best for vertical text? An experiment was conducted to investigate, and found that marquee text is indeed read more slowly than rotated text, and that rotated text is read more slowly than standard horizontal text. However, no evidence was found for a difference between left- and right-rotated text. Word frequency effects were larger in all vertical conditions relative to the horizontal control. These results suggest that rotated text is generally to be preferred to marquee-style presentation.
Representing Complex Data Sets as Virtual Structures
Authors: Richardson Adam R. , Dainoff Marvin J. , Mark Leonard S. , Smart James L. , Davis Niles
Published: January 2012

This paper describes a research strategy in which complex data sets are represented as physical objects in a virtual 3-D environment. The advantage of such a representation is that it allows the observer to actively explore the virtual environment so that potential ambiguities found in typical 3-D projections could be resolved by the transformation resulting from the change in viewing perspective. The study reported here constitutes an initial condition in which subjects compared relative size of virtual cubes from two different viewpoints. These results can serve as a basis for construction of cube-like objects representing the underlying conceptual structure of a data set
Change Detection on Periphery and Dual-Task Performance
Authors: Chen Mon-Chu , Fortes Filipe , Klatzky Roberta , Long William
Published: January 2012

A variation of the Wickens' Task was performed to examine the assumption that people can detect certain stimuli on their periphery without decreasing the performance of the primary task. Participants were instructed to respond to a change in a peripheral stimulus without shifting their gaze from a primary task in the center of their visual field. Our data suggests that both type and magnitude of change have a significant effect on detection rate and reaction time. The data also suggests that the performance of the primary task did not decay after the change of the stimuli occurred. Based on these findings, we argue that people can detect various types of changes without shifting gaze and without degrading task performance. Therefore, an interface particularly designed for peripheral vision is possible, and it will potentially provide benefits to both productivity and safety.
Effects of Signal Regularity and Salience on Vigilance Performance and Cerebral Hemovelocity
Authors: Hollander Todd D. , Warm Joel S. , Matthews Gerald R. , Dember William N. , Parasuraman Raja , Hitchcock Edward M. , Beam Christina A. , Tripp Lloyd D.
Published: January 2012

The signal regularity effect — enhanced performance efficiency when critical signals for detection appear in a temporally regular as opposed to an irregular manner- has a long history in vigilance research. However, the precise conditions under which this effect can be elicited have not been identified. Toward that end, this study demonstrates that the effect is limited to low salience signals, perhaps because the effort needed to generate veridical temporal expectancies is unnecessary with high salience signals. Additionally, using signal detection theory indices ( d' & c) and neuroimaging of cerebral blood flow via transcranial Doppler sonography, this study also shows that the signal regularity effect is rooted in sensing rather than decision-making factors and that it is localized in the right cerebral hemisphere.
The Effects of Monocular Cues on a 3-D Target Acquisition Task
Authors: Liao Min-Ju , Johnson Walter
Published: January 2012

This study evaluated the effects of linear perspective, droplines, and shadows on 3-D target acquisition performance. A display was presented with and without a linear perspective cue. When linear perspective was presented, it could include droplines, shadows, or both. Participants moved a cursor ‘into’ a target on the display as quickly and accurately as possible using a 3-D input device. Movement time and path length to acquire each target, as well as its three display dimensions (azimuth, elevation, and range), were measured. Results showed that linear perspective alone did not enhance target acquisition performance. The effects of droplines and shadows were target location dependent — reducing movement times and path lengths to upper-front and lower-back targets by apparently facilitating range dimension acquisition. Movement trajectory analysis revealed that participants overlapped the target with the cursor and then acquired the target along the depth axis. The upper-back and lower-front targets were acquired with more direct paths than targets in other locations.
Legibility of Words Rendered Using Cleartype™
Authors: Aten Thomas R. , Gugerty Leo , Tyrrell Richard A.
Published: January 2012

ClearType™ is a software technique that uses sub-pixel addressing in an effort to increase the readability of digitized text. To evaluate whether ClearType™ improves the legibility of words relative to aliased text, 24 students performed a lexical decision task that involved brief exposures to 280 words and 280 non-words at different retinal eccentricities. Participants were significantly more accurate at identifying words with ClearType™ than without ClearType™. Accuracy was also higher with non-italicized text and when the text was centered around the fixation point. Response times did not significantly vary across these same variables. Thus ClearType™ offers a significant improvement in word legibility while not adding to the cost of display hardware.
Inference and the Use of Similes and Metaphors in Warnings
Authors: Bowles C. Travis , Fisk Arthur D. , Rogers Wendy A.
Published: January 2012

Warning content must be written to assure that the user knows how to apply the information at the appropriate time. Since the warning cannot provide information about all possible circumstances, in some situations individuals must make inferences about safe behavior. This paper contains two experiments that investigated compliance with warning information in situations that do and situations that do not require inferences. The first experiment, with 39 undergraduate students, tested simile use in warnings to improve compliance in inference situations. The second experiment, with 44 undergraduate students, tested metaphors in the place of the similes. In both experiments, participants were presented with products and warnings, followed by situations testing their intention to comply. Normal warnings were compared with similes (Experiment 1) and metaphors (Experiment 2). In each study, the tests required either matching information or drawing inferences. Compliance was significantly lower for situations requiring inference, for both experiments. Use of metaphors and similes to reduce inference requirements is discussed.
Guidelines for Warnings Design: Do They Matter?
Authors: Laughery Kenneth R. , Paige Danielle L. , Laughery Brenda R. , Wogalter Michael S. , Kalsher Michael J. , Leonard S. David
Published: January 2012

A study was carried out using four measures of effectiveness to compare product warnings that are consistent with the American National Standards Institute Product Safety Signs and Labels standard (ANSI Z535.4) to warnings that are not consistent with the standard. Inconsistent warnings were based on the format of existing product warnings. Two warnings, consistent and inconsistent, for each of ten different products were evaluated: cooking oil, trampoline, paint, dresser, airbag, seat belt, tire, sports utility vehicle, reclining seat and swimming pool. The four effectiveness criteria were judgments of noticeability, likelihood to read, understandability and likelihood of complying. Participants were 176 students with varied majors from five different universities. Results indicated higher levels of judged effectiveness for the warnings that were consistent with the ANSI standard. The differences were statistically significant for all four effectiveness measures for all ten products. While warnings that are consistent with the ANSI Z535.4 standard do not by themselves necessarily constitute an adequate warning system, these results indicate that the standard does have merit and utility and represents a good starting point in warning design.
The Effects of Cut-Off Length on Surface Roughness Parameters and Their Correlation with Transition Friction
Authors: Chang Wen-Ruey , Hirvonen Mikko , Grönqvist Raoul , Aguilera William M.
Published: January 2012

Friction is widely used as an indicator of surface slipperiness in preventing accidents in slips and falls. Surface roughness affects friction, but it is not clear which surface roughness characteristics are better correlated with friction and, therefore, are preferred as potential interventions. The transition friction between quarry tiles and Neolite under three different mixtures of glycerol and water as contaminants was correlated with the surface parameters generated from the quarry tile surfaces. The surface roughness parameters were measured with three different cut-off lengths (0.8, 2.5 and 8 mm). The results showed that transition friction decreased as the glycerol content in the contaminant was increased due to the lubrication effect. The linear correlation coefficients between the surface roughness parameters and the measured friction increased as the cut-off length was increased from 0.8 to 8 mm. However, average of the maximum height above the mean line in each cut-off length ( Rpm), arithmetical average of surface heights ( Ra), mean height from third highest peak to third lowest valley in each cut-off length ( R3z) and the kernel roughness depth ( Rk) had the strongest correlation with transition friction across three cut-off lengths used.
Comparing Audio and Tactile Inputs as Driver Attention Control
Authors: Almén Lisbeth
Published: January 2012

In this simulator study we compared the effects that two different alerting devices had on driver attention control. The alerting devices were presented to the audio and tactile sense modality respectively. The audio alerting was in form of the driver's own name and the tactile device was in form of vibrations similar to those produced by rumble lines. While driving, the driver was distracted by a secondary task. The alerting device was then used to make the driver change his/her focus of attention back to the main task of driving. No significant difference between the alerting devices was found. A combination of the two alerting devices shows a tendency to provide the most rapid switch of attention back to focus on the main driving task. This paper is part of a study to discriminate an efficient way to alert a distracted driver so that car accidents may be reduced.
Ergonomics in the Design of the HMI of an Advanced Driver Support System for Vehicle Lateral Control
Authors: Nicolas L. , Lagoutte A. , Ojeda L.
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the ergonomics studies that led to design the HMI of an advanced driver support system for vehicle lateral control. The objectives of studies presented below were, at first, to identify the characteristics of HMI corresponding to an alert for the driver and to collect first users' evaluations, then, in a second time, to assess the global system.
Using a Benchmark-Referenced Approach for Validating a Power Plant Control Room: Results of the Baseline Study
Authors: Lang Andrew W. , Roth Emilie M. , Bladh Kent , Hine Roger
Published: January 2012

When performing a validation study of a new system, a question arises as to what constitutes acceptable performance. One approach to setting acceptance criteria is to compare performance obtained with the new system to performance with an existing system that serves as a ‘benchmark‘. This paper describes an integrated system validation for a modernized power plant control room that takes the benchmark-referenced approach. In preparation for the planned integrated system validation, a baseline study of crew performance with the existing control room technology was performed using a high fidelity simulator. This paper reports the results of the baseline study and discusses their implications for validation studies of complex systems more generally. Most notably, the results establish an empirical link between process measures of performance (e.g., target detection, diagnosis, workload, teamwork, and situation awareness) and operationally significant outcome measures of performance, which reinforces the value of including process measures in validation studies.
Human Performance Modeling and Decision Analysis in a Concept Crew Workstation
Authors: Wojcik Thaddeus M.
Published: January 2012

As part of the effort to evaluate the performance of soldiers operating in the Vetronics Testbed Technology (VTT), a human performance model of operator processes and tasks was developed. The purpose of this effort was to gather insight into operator workload constraints, points of operator overload due to task demands, and key decision-making points and strategies employed by the operators. Operator performance was modeled when the operators were confronted with the task of controlling multiple experimental unmanned ground vehicles (XUV) in addition to performing standard Command and Control (C2) operations. The model was built using the Improved Performance Research Integration Tool (IMPRINT). Development began with a task decomposition of the current VTT system and operator control unit (OCU) and was decomposed to the button-push level of operator interaction with the unit. Next, several operational scenarios were developed to drive the simulated operator actions in the OCU and obtain measures of performance. Finally, a decision-making architecture was implemented in the model to examine points where intelligent agents and system automation could potentially aid in reducing operator cognitive demands.
An Approach to Measuring Accessibility of Office Automation Equipment
Authors: Fain W. Bradley , Folds Dennis J.
Published: January 2012

An accessibility evaluation methodology was developed to support the assessment of electronic and information technology devices. The issues and concerns that were noted during the application of this methodology to the assessment of office automation equipment are discussed. A detailed description of the accessibility evaluation methodology can be obtained at http://hseb.gtri.gatech.edu .
Collaborative Development of Expertise: Evaluation of an on-the-JOB (OJT) Training Program
Authors: Stanard Terry , Pliske Rebecca M. , Armstrong Amelia A. , Green Stacey , Zsambok Caroline E. , McDonald Daniel P. , Crandall Beth W.
Published: January 2012

The Collaborative Development of Expertise (CDE) program was created to support transfer of knowledge and skill from experienced personnel to trainees in on-the-job settings. Thirty-six active-duty Naval Air Defense Coordinators (ADCs) were recruited from Combat Information Centers on board AEGIS-class cruisers. The experimental group received a workshop, practice, and coaching in the CDE program. The control group did not learn CDE during the evaluation, relying upon current Naval training practices. Measures were developed to evaluate how CDE impacted mission debriefs between a trainer and trainee, and trainee on-the-job performance. Analysis of mission debriefs showed that CDE trainers and trainees discussed more of the cognitive challenges associated with the ADC position, and used more expert training and learning strategies than did control group participants. Expert ADCs, blind to experimental condition, rated CDE trainee performance as higher than the control group. Limitations of the study and future development objectives for CDE are offered.
Development and Evaluation of an Information Management Training Program
Authors: Entin Eileen B. , Entin Elliot E. , Hess Kathleen P.
Published: January 2012

Effective information management skills are critical as we become more and more inundated with huge amounts of information. Drawing on applied research on information processing and situation assessment, we designed an information management training program based on the premises that 1) training in the identification of one's own information requirements will help decision makers recognize their critical information needs and focus on needed rather than surplus information, and 2) enhancement of organizational knowledge will provide decision makers with a clearer understanding of the needs and capabilities of other nodes in the organization. We developed an information management training program comprised of written and demonstration materials based on the mnemonic MISSION that was designed to help individuals identify and focus on the information needs for their mission and tasks. We conducted an evaluation of the training program and concluded that we needed to focus more strongly on behavioral rather than conceptual components of information processing. We also concluded that, to be useful, organizational knowledge needs to be integrated with the information management training.
Effectiveness of Audio and Visual Training Presentation Modes for Glucometer Calibration
Authors: McLaughlin Anne C. , Rogers Wendy A. , Fisk Arthur D.
Published: January 2012

This experiment investigated whether different presentation modes of instructional materials are differentially effective for older and younger adults learning to calibrate a glucometer. Glucometers are complex and require serial, sequential steps to calibrate them successfully. Some previous studies have failed to find a difference for older adults between instructions presented via audio and instructions presented with both audio and video (e.g. Stine, Wingfield & Myers, 1990); others have even found audio superior to video for presentation of instructions (Meline, 1976; Hale, 1998). In the current study, 12 older and 12 younger adults each received one type of training (audio or audio plus video) then were instructed to calibrate the glucometer using the information they received in the training. Overall, the presentation mode the groups received did affect their performance when later using the device, showing that for complex, sequential, spatial tasks, the addition of video to audio instructions improves performance for both younger and older adults.
A Cognitive Approach to Student-Centered E-Learning
Authors: Greitzer Frank L.
Published: January 2012

Like traditional classroom instruction, distance/electronic learning (e-Learning) derives from largely behaviorist computer-based instruction paradigms that tend to reflect passive training philosophies. Over the past thirty years, more flexible, student-centered classroom teaching methods have been advocated based on the concepts of “discovery” learning and “active” learning; student-centered approaches are likewise encouraged in the development of e-Learning applications. Nevertheless, many e-Learning applications that employ state-of-the art multimedia technology in which students interact with simulations, animations, video, and sounds still fail to meet their expected training potential. Implementation of multimedia-based training features may give the impression of engaging the student in more active forms of learning, but sophisticated use of multimedia features does not necessarily produce the desired effect. This paper briefly reviews some general guidelines for applying cognitive science principles to development of student-centered e-Learning applications and describes a cognitive approach to e-Learning development that is being undertaken for the US Army.
Military Tacit Knowledge Elicitation in Written versus Online Settings
Authors: Robinson Kenneth S. , Psotka Joseph
Published: January 2012

This report is part of a project to create automated self-assessment tools for military leadership in the U.S. Army, using a novel automatic, language understanding, text-based distributed collaborative learning and problem solving environment that allows leaders to share their tacit and doctrinal knowledge. The online newsgroup-like environment has several automated features, such as the capability of finding semantically related notes entered by any other participant and providing quick and meaningful access to every paragraph in an electronic library of relevant information. Groups of officers from Lieutenants to Lieutenant Colonels were told to respond to online and written scenarios derived from Army tacit knowledge assessment tests. Results indicated that mean quality ratings from officers assessed in the online environment were consistently higher than those from responses in a paper and pencil based setting. These initial positive indications support the notion that this online setting can be useful in eliciting military experiential knowledge.
Designing Ve Training Systems that Work: Stacking the Deck in the User's Favor
Authors: Cohn Joseph , Lyons Denise , Allen Robert , Lackey Stephanie , Muth Eric , Stanney Kay , Milham Laura
Published: January 2012

Over the past decade, a veritable barrage of Virtual Environment (VE)-based training systems has burst onto the training and education scene (Cohn & Patrey, 2001). On the surface these systems, which claim such benefits as small footprint, rapid reconfiguration, and enhanced training delivery, appear to be the panacea for a market desperate for low cost, effective training tools. Yet, often the human element is taken for granted, with systems being designed to incorporate the latest technological advances, to the exclusion of the latest human-factors advances (Cohn, Breaux, Nguyen Schmorrow, 2001). Moreover, the utility of these systems is all too-rarely objectively evaluated. Consequently, the likelihood of designing a final product with a significant ‘gee whiz’ factor, coupled with, at best, an undefined ‘training effectiveness’ quotient, is quite high, leading users to over-estimate the value of their training. In the operational setting, these over-estimations can have costly –if not tragic- consequences. Such need not be the case. There are more than enough design methodologies for ensuring that training systems satisfy the needs of the users for whom they are intended. The crucial element that has been missing is an underlying philosophy linking these techniques in a logical fashion. The intent of this panel is to bring together a range of training technologies into a single forum, with the goal of presenting a comprehensive Design Effectiveness program.
Empirical Comparison of Human Behavior and Performance with Different Display Devices for Virtual Environments
Authors: Bowman Doug A. , Datey Ameya , Ryu Young Sam , Farooq Umer , Vasnaik Omar
Published: January 2012

Although a wide range of display devices is used in virtual environment (VE) systems, no guidelines exist to choose an appropriate display for a particular VE application. Our goal in this research is to develop such guidelines on the basis of empirical results. In this paper, we present a preliminary experiment comparing human behavior and performance between a head-mounted display (HMD) and a four-sided spatially immersive display (SID). In particular, we studied users' preferences for real vs. virtual turns in the VE. The results indicate that subjects have a significant preference for real turns in the HMD and for virtual turns in the SID. The experiment also found that females are more likely to choose real turns than males. We suggest that HMDs are an appropriate choice when users perform frequent turns and require spatial orientation.
Text Input Techniques for Immersive Virtual Environments: An Empirical Comparison
Authors: Bowman Doug A. , Rhoton Christopher J. , Pinho Marcio S.
Published: January 2012

Symbolic input, including text and numeric input, can be an important user task in applications of virtual environments (VEs). However, very little research has been performed to support this task in immersive VEs. This paper presents the results of an empirical evaluation of four text input techniques for immersive VEs. The techniques include the Pinch Keyboard (a typing emulation technique using pinch gloves), a one-hand chord keyboard, a soft keyboard using a pen & tablet, and speech. The experiment measured both task performance and usability characteristics of the four techniques. Results indicate that the speech technique is the fastest, while the pen & tablet keyboard produces the fewest errors. However, no single technique exhibited high levels of performance, usability and user satisfaction.
A Theoretical Model of the Cognitive Link Between Stress and Performance for Long-Duration Spaceflight
Authors: Kring Jason P. , Goudarzi Sara
Published: January 2012

Long-duration spaceflight (LDSF) crews experience significant physiological and psychological demands that can degrade performance and produce stress. Previous models to predict crew reactions to stress illustrate how demands influence performance, but not the underlying cognitive processes governing why combinations of events produce stress. The present paper describes a theoretical model of the relationship between spaceflight stressors, cognitive appraisal processes, and crew performance outcomes for LDSF. The model posits that during 5 stages, crewmembers undergo an appraisal process to first evaluate the threat imposed by the combined environmental stressors (e.g., workload, noise, crowding), and then evaluate their own capacity to manage the threat, resulting in either positive (capacity > threat) or negative (capacity < threat) performance expectations. Expectations then produce positive or negative physiological and psychological effects with direct implications for overall crew performance. This model is offered as a framework for continued study of the stress-cognition-performance relationship in spaceflight.
Upgrades to the Caution and Warning System of the Space Shuttle
Authors: McCandless Jeffrey W. , McCann Robert S. , Hilty Bruce R.
Published: January 2012

During a Space Shuttle mission, astronauts are alerted to off-nominal conditions via a Caution and Warning System that often generates a myriad of auditory and visual alerts. A key component of this system is the Fault Summary display, which contains text messages describing the malfunctions. The display often becomes cluttered with extraneous messages, increasing the difficulty of diagnosing a malfunction. In an effort to improve the crew's diagnostic performance, increase their situational awareness and reduce their workload, the Caution and Warning System is being improved as part of the Cockpit Avionics Upgrade. In the first phase of the upgrade, the Fault Summary display is being redesigned with a more logical task-oriented graphical layout and multiple text fields for malfunction messages. In the second phase, the text fields will indicate only the source (i.e., root-cause) of the malfunction to prevent non-operationally useful messages from appearing on the display. These and other aspects of the upgrades are based on extensive collaboration among astronauts, engineers, and human factors scientists. This paper describes the human factors principles applied to upgrading the Caution and Warning System in the presence of inherent limitations associated with legacy manned spaceflight vehicles.
Do Language Barriers Result in Aviation Maintenance Errors?
Authors: Drury Colin G. , Ma Jiao
Published: January 2012

The existence of maintenance and inspection personnel whose native language is not English suggests that language barriers may be causing performance errors. This project examines whether such errors exist, what patterns characterize these errors, what their contributing factors are and how effectively we can mitigate these errors. Any language errors would be communication errors by definition, so first we reviewed models of communication to search for characteristic error patterns. We identified two primary communication types relevant to aviation maintenance: synchronous communications (largely verbal and informal) and asynchronous communication (largely written and formal). We then analyzed several error databases (e.g. ASRS) and found that both the contributing factors and the use of recovery mechanisms were different for the two error types. Next, we analyzed survey data from 113 aircraft operators, covering their English speaking/reading abilities and use of mitigation strategies. There were significant differences across four world regions in the incidence of these two sets of factors. Neither of these data sources emphasized maintenance, so to discover more refined patterns of error, contributing factors and mitigation strategies, we conducted a series of focus groups at maintenance organizations. The patterns found were grouped, as expected, into synchronous and asynchronous. We developed classified lists of contributing and mitigating factors, which will be used in subsequent stages to quantify error incidence and test the effectiveness of mitigation strategies.
Integrating Human Factors Issues in Technology Readliness Levels for Air Traffic Control Research
Authors: Krois Paul , Mogford Richard , Rehmann Jacqueline
Published: January 2012

Phases of concept exploration and development in air traffic control research are coordinated between the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration using Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). Objectives, outputs, and exit criteria for these TRLs tend to be defined at a higher level. More detailed human factors guidance was developed using a small cadre of human factors practitioners and researchers who assessed the relevance of twenty-three human factors issues for each TRL. Results showed increasing importance for the highest rated issues as a research capability matures across the TRLs, and an increasing number of issues are important at the higher TRLs. The findings argue for early involvement of human factors at lower TRLs, and that implementing offices should engage with researchers earlier than currently prescribed.
Integrating Usability Methodologies to Assess Weather Avionics Systems
Authors: Elgin Peter D. , Raddatz Kimberly R. , Uhlarik John
Published: January 2012

Technological advances support the display of a wide variety of text and graphical weather information in the cockpit. These advances present new challenges for ensuring optimal human-computer interaction. Usability assessments can facilitate the optimization of this interaction. The current usability assessment combined specific components from several usability methodologies (e.g., formal usability inspection, contextual observation/interview, cognitive walkthrough, heuristic evaluation). Each methodology uniquely contributed to identifying and providing solutions for usability problems associated with two commercially available weather avionics systems. During pre user-testing, two human factors specialists developed benchmark tasks and established gold standard (optimal) action sequences necessary to complete the tasks. Six IFR-rated pilots participated in user-testing sessions where task completion time and input actions were recorded. During post user-testing, error plots were created to locate and diagnose usability bottlenecks. Finally, the bottlenecks were classified into violated heuristics and potential resolutions were offered.
The Influences of Display Highlighting and Size and Event Eccentricity for Aviation Surveillance
Authors: Wickens Christopher D. , Muthard Emily K. , Alexander Amy L. , Van Olffen Patrick , Podczerwinski Elizabeth
Published: January 2012

The present experiments were designed to assess the influence of display size, display highlighting, and event eccentricity in a surveillance task. Pilots were asked to detect changes in the movement or altitude of weather systems or traffic aircraft, which were represented in integrated hazard displays. Experiment 1 examined change detection as a function of the distance of the event from ownship and the presence of the event in a highlighted or lowlighted hazard domain. Analyses revealed that change detection was superior for events that were in the highlighted display database and that performance was slightly degraded for more eccentric events. Experiments 2 and 3 assessed the role of display size and event eccentricity. Analyses showed that change detection was unaffected by the size of the display, though performance was again degraded for changes located near the perimeter of the display. Findings imply that surveillance of the display perimeters will depreciate and additional methods should be used to ensure that attention is sufficiently directed to these areas.
Examining the Effects of Guidance Symbology, Display Size, and Field of View on Flight Performance and Situation Awareness
Authors: Alexander Amy L. , Wickens Christopher D. , Hardy Thomas J.
Published: January 2012

Two experiments conducted in a high-fidelity flight simulator examined the effects of guidance symbology, display size, and field of view (FOV) on flight performance and situation awareness within a Synthetic Vision System (SVS). In Experiment 1, 18 pilots flew highlighted and lowlighted tunnel-in-the-sky displays and a less-cluttered follow-me-aircraft (FMA) through a series of curved approaches over rugged terrain. The results revealed that both tunnels supported better flightpath tracking than the FMA due to the availability of more preview information. Increasing tunnel intensity had no benefit on tracking, and in fact, traffic awareness was degraded. In Experiment 2, 24 pilots flew a lowlighted tunnel display configured according to different display sizes (small or large) and FOVs (30° or 60°). Measures of flightpath tracking and terrain awareness generally favored the smaller display and the 60° FOV.
Beyond Levels of Automation: An Architecture for More Flexible Human-Automation Collaboration
Authors: Miller Christopher A. , Parasuraman Raja
Published: January 2012

Supervisory control has long been recognized as a design concept for enhancing the effectiveness of human-automation interaction, but real time supervisory relationships with automation have rarely approached the flexibility of human-human supervisory relationships. In part, this may be because our models of human-automation relationships— primarily, Sheridan and Verplank's (1978) concept of Levels of Automation—have been unidimensional and too coarse-grained. Parasuraman, Wickens and Sheridan (2000) acknowledged this limitation and extended the levels of automation model to include a second, albeit coarse-grained, dimension based on stages of information processing. We argue that, for the purpose of providing a detailed architecture to support collaborative delegation interactions, this process needs to be taken further. By applying the levels of automation spectra across a detailed task model of tasks in a work domain, we create a suitably complex and flexible model of task performance which can be shared between humans and automation and used as the vocabulary for delegation interactions. This architecture is illustrated in human tasking of multiple Unmanned Air Vehicles.
From Analysis to Design: Wda for the Petrochemical Industry
Authors: Burns Catherine M. , Garrison Lisa , Dinadis Nick
Published: January 2012

When developing ecological displays for a large project, having consistent techniques for analysis and design are very important. This paper reports on six techniques that were used on a project for Syncrude Canada. The project used work domain analysis to develop ecological display concepts. At various points in the project, a total of eight analyst designers were involved. The six techniques reported here were used to maintain consistent results across the design team and to provide a systematic approach to move from a work domain analysis to a design on a large safety-critical project.
Modeling Fatigue Degraded Performance in Artificial Agents
Authors: French Jon , Morris Christina S.
Published: January 2012

Maintaining alertness has always been a critical problem for personnel on shift work supporting around the clock operations. Recent trends involving reduced staffing and advanced electronic systems within protracted and continuous nightly operations have critically increased the need to diagnose and predict operator fatigue and its consequences. This paper describes an evaluation of a mathematical fatigue algorithm used to estimate fatigue as a result of extended duty days and fragmented or reduced sleep. A study is described comparing shift schedules during two weeks of maritime activity that demonstrates the algorithm's predictive capability. The study also provides the theoretical foundation for applying fatigue related action and reaction in artificial and simulated human agents in order to enhance military intelligence, mission planning, training, and rehearsal for a wide range of human operations.
Training Anatomy Recognition Through Repetitive Viewing of Laparoscopic Surgery Video Clips
Authors: Guerlain Stephanie , Green K. Brook , LaFollette Maranda , Mersch Todd , Mitchell Brian , Poole G. Reed , Adams Reid , Calland J. Forrest , Bovbjerg Viktor , Chekan Edward
Published: January 2012

This study evaluated the use of a video-based training environment, to support training the perceptual “rules” necessary for situation assessment during laparoscopic surgery. The training system shows multiple examples of procedural steps using edited laparoscopic surgery videos to enforce absorption, expose the learner to varied anatomy, and stress crucial maneuvers. A between-subjects experiment with 30 medical students showed a ten percent increase in cognitive skills as measured by pretest/posttest sets of test questions as compared to a control group who had access to the same videos but in an unstructured format for the same amount of time (p<.05). This difference was attributed primarily to improvements in perceptual judgments, as opposed to improvements in procedural, strategic, declarative or counterexample knowledge. This study shows that video repetition is a potential means for training perceptual rule-based skills in an effective and efficient manner.
Healthcare Safety: The Impact of Disabling ‘Safety’ Protocols
Authors: Dierks M. M. , Christian C. K. , Roth E. M. , Sheridan T. B. , Dwyer K. , Gandhi T. K. , Gustafson M. , Zinner M. J.
Published: January 2012

With increasing attention to patient safety, hospitals and other clinical facilities are developing practice guidelines and protocols with the specific intent of reducing harm to patients. However, the introduction of these protocols can have unanticipated negative consequences and if followed rigidly can become ‘disabling’. We use the manual count procedure that was designed to improve patient safety by reducing the likelihood of leaving an object (e.g., needle, sponge or instrument) inside a patient body cavity during a surgical procedure to illustrate this point. Using results from an observational study of nine complex operations we show that the count protocol can have unanticipated negative consequences that need to be considered in evaluating the net positive gain in patient safety. The study highlights the importance of evaluating the overall impact of proposed protocols when assessing their potential benefits to patient safety.
Human Robot Coordination: Panel Overview
Authors: de Pontbriand Rene J.
Published: January 2012

In recent years, accelerating maturation of robotics technologies, such as machine perception and intelligent control technologies have led to a widening knowledge and experiential base serving as a springboard for expanded research.

This maturation has led to increased engineering reliability, opening the way for more tractable human-robot research. The technology area from which a good deal of this work can draw inspiration and guidance is humans in automation (Parasuraman, Sheridan and Wickens, 2000), which lets us examine issues including air traffic controllers' multi-tracking or pilots' multi-tasking operations under conditions of time and other stressors. Among the issues the panelists will address are: How will human-robot teams dynamically reconfigure or gracefully degrade as assets are lost? How can people and robots make judgments of the robots ability to traverse or climb broken terrain? How can people manage multiple robots? How can robots and people build a shared awareness of the remote environment? What metrics will capture human-robot teamwork? Overall, human-robot team work is a new frontier for Human Factors.
Metaphors and Paradigms of Team Cognition: A Twenty Year Perspective
Authors: McNeese Michael D.
Published: January 2012

There are many ways to think about the occurrence of team cognition, how it plays out among team members, how technology and context impact its expression, and how interdependencies develop given changing circumstances and plans. Our intent is to develop a generic metaphor with systematic expansions that provide a thought simulation to further enhance researcher's conceptualization of teamwork and team cognition. Knowledge can be constructed using a metaphorical view that can help develop new constructs within team cognition theories, models, technologies, simulations, and contexts. The paper looks at specific condensation of selected constructs by reviewing the author's involvement in team cognition paradigms, simulations, and research (TRAP, CITIES, JASPER, DDD). Perspectives developed across twenty years of experience are utilized to highlight similar yet differing approaches to team cognition while yielding guidance and lessons learned in designing scaled world simulations.
The Presentation of Risk and Uncertainty in the Context of National Missile Defense Simulations
Authors: McDermott Patricia , Hutchins Shaun , Barnes Michael , Koenecke Corey , Gillan Doug , Rothrock Ling
Published: January 2012

Risk perception and uncertainty management are important components of military decision making, especially in time-stressed and resource-limited environments. The purpose of this experiment was to understand the interaction of integrality of information, presentation mode, and information frame on situation awareness (SA) and decision-making (missile allocation) in a National Missile Defense (NMD) paradigm. Results of the information frame manipulation (expected gain v. expected loss) support earlier findings that subjects are loss averse. SA Accuracy was higher with graphical displays than alphanumeric displays. The implications for NMD are discussed.
Timing of Discrete Actions: Evidence for Perceptual Dominance in Human Performance
Authors: Xu Xidong , Rantanen Esa M.
Published: January 2012

An experiment involving a street-crossing task is described. The subjects were required to release a pedestrian within a narrow window of opportunity to cross the road without being run over by vehicles. To test a number of hypotheses on whether timing of actions is driven by perceptual cues or some internal clocking mechanisms, the experiment involved conditions where the street-crossing task was either visible throughout trials or where the vehicles were removed, and coupled with a concurrent mental arithmetic loading task with either visually or auditorily presented stimuli The data support the hypothesis that when the stimuli remain visible, people predominantly rely on perceptual cues for timing discrete actions. Significant performance decrements were observed in the removal conditions Importance of the visual component in the task performance was supported by the larger performance decrement in the unmasked condition when the subjects' attention had to be divided between two sets of visual stimuli. When the primary task stimuli were removed, the clock counting seems to be the preferred strategy for the task under study.