bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electromyographic Evaluation of Muscle Strain of the Hand-Arm-Shoulder System during Alternating Typing at a Conventional and an Ergonomic Keyboard
Authors: Strasser H. , Fleischer R. , Keller E.
Published: January 2012

Manufacturers of ergonomic split keyboards promise maximum effectiveness and comfort as well as a reduction of physical complaints. In order to determine the claimed positive effects, 10 male subjects (Ss) participated in standardized working tests during which they entered text into a PC, alternatingly using a conventional keyboard and the test keyboard. Electromyographic activity (EA) of 8 muscle groups was simultaneously recorded during altogether 6 working phases with a duration of 10 min, each. Measurements of the maximum activity EAmax via maximum voluntary contractions of the 8 muscles — which were necessary for calculating standardized electromyographic activity (sEA) used to represent muscle strain as a percentage — were always taken at the end of the experiment. Muscle strain varied from muscle to muscle but the level of the sEA-values for the different muscles was reproducible and stable. Also, activation of most muscles acting on the shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and the hand showed differences which, though small in amount, could be statistically secured and associated with the keyboard type. The ergonomic design of the tested keyboard led to objectively verifiable and plausible reductions of muscle strain.
Work Design for Older Workers Using the Kaizen Method
Authors: Nagamachi Mitsuo
Published: January 2012

Japan is becoming the oldest society in the world. The Japanese Government is concerned about the aging society and the current employment policy. In this article, the work design policy on redesigning the workers' jobs for the elderly and redesigning equipment are addressed from the viewpoints of macroergonomics and participatory ergonomics. Changing the work design is an effective means of lessening the workload for the elderly.
Kansei of the Elderly and Community Ergonomics
Authors: Nagamachi Mitsuo , Komatsu Koji , Ichitsubo Makoto , Nishino Tatsuo , Ishihara Shigekazu
Published: January 2012

Japan is becoming the most aging society in the world and the countryside area is usually characterized the more aged and depopulated town. The researched area is called “Kimita Village” where 2,000 people live, and the aged percentage over 65 year people is 34.7, which means very higher compared with the Japan's average of 15%. This paper deals with Community Ergonomics “Cyber Village” intervening Ergonomics in so small and aged village to enhance people's “Quality of Life” in terms of Kansei Ergonomics and Information Technology.
A Cross-Cultural Study of Vehicle Front Mask Design Using Kansei Engineering Approach
Authors: Shen Wenqi , Matsubara Yukihiro , Wilson John , Nagamachi Mitsuo
Published: January 2012

This paper reports a kansei engineering study of vehicle front mask design conducted in Japan, UK, and US. The objective is to compare three different countries in terms of kansei meaning and kansei construction as well. The subjects in three countries evaluated 24 passenger-car front masks on the 5-point SD scale. The 24 front mask pictures were presented on computer screen. The experimental results of three groups were analyzed through Factor Analysis and Hayashi's Quantification Theory Type I and compared the similarity and difference in kansei evaluation among subjects from three countries. Three factors are extracted from the set of SD scales in describing vehicle front masks: Factor 1 “Value” with words such as “deluxe“, Factor 2 “Performance” with words such as “sporty”, and Factor 3 “Tradition” with words such as “classic” or “simple“. For feelings associated with the three factors, the overall shape of the whole mask, front grill shape and type, and headlight patterns have the broadest influence. No significant cross-cultural difference was identified in the perception of vehicle front masks.
Detecting Non-Linear Relations between Variables of Kansei Evaluation Data
Authors: Tsuchiya Toshio , Matsubara Yukihiro , Ishihara Shigekazu , Nagamachi Mitsuo
Published: January 2012

Kansei Engineering is advanced method for analyzing the relationship between design elements and human images at the designing production design. Nonlinear relationships among evaluation data used by Kansei Engineering system are discussed in this paper for the purpose to consider the distribution of Kansei data. The analysis of real products extract the nonlinearity in the data of SD scaled questionnaire. In especially, treating combination effects among design elements are very difficult problem to solve in kansei analysis. Then we discuss the analysis the combination effects at kansei evaluation data.
Reconception of S. José Hospital's Dining Room and Self Service Line
Authors: Lourenço Silvia , Cotrim Teresa , Duarte A. Paes , Barreiros Luisa
Published: January 2012

In these paper we present the criteria and methodology that lead us to the ergonomic design of an hospital refectory using graphical tools. The objective of this project was to optimise the interaction between the users and the self-service line and the food area and the re-organisation of the user's circuit. The proposals for the re-conception of the dining room and the self-service line were approved by the Hospital's Board of Directors and will be included in the work's execution.
ISO Standardization on Visual Display Requirements
Authors: van Nes Floris L.
Published: January 2012

After mentioning the necessity of standardization at large, this paper describes how human factors standardization, especially by ISO, and the advent of information technology are linked. Standardization and technological innovation coupled with industrial competition sometimes results in a precarious balance. Visual display standardization is the main topic of the paper; both the present as well as the future situation in this area is treated, mainly from an ISO viewpoint. Some observations are made about the necessary and interesting co-operation between physicists and human factors specialists in determining visual display requirements. The paper concludes with a view on the future of human factors standardization.
Software Usability and Accessibility Standards: Progress, Issues, and Implications
Authors: Reed Paul S. , Henry Shawn Lawton
Published: January 2012

The successful development of software ergonomics standards requires a range of technical, organizational, and consensus-building issues to be addressed. These issues include: inhibition of technical innovation, user/task/system variability, rapidly evolving technology, incorporating standards in software development processes, and other issues. Strategies for addressing these issues and product design and development implications are discussed.
Task Managed Watchstanding - Concepts for 21st Century Naval Operations
Authors: Osga Glenn A.
Published: January 2012

Watchstanding in a command center includes work requirements for U.S. Navy shipboard crews to complete time-critical and externally paced task assignments in an accurate and timely manner. Requirements for optimized crew sizes in newer ships are forcing system designers to give increased consideration to task and workload demands in a multiple task work environment. The multi-task environment is characterised by multiple mission job demands and parallel task goals of varying time duration. Design concepts for a watchstation work environment were created which support a variety of cognitive and visual requirements for multiple tasks. The user support tools include a concept of imbedded “Task management” within the watchstation software. This paper presents the requirements and design concepts for imbedded task management user support, and the implications for improved user performance.
Task Support through Total Ship Information Management
Authors: Gersh John R. , Waltrip Charles F.
Published: January 2012

Flexible, dynamic task-managed watchstanding breaks the traditional model of a component system with its own operators. Watchstanders' interaction with their operational world is now mediated through explicitly designed tasks; each task may require information from and exercise control over a number of diverse information-providing and action-taking systems. These task-system linkages are contextual; the particular information required by a particular watchstander's particular task depends on the particular situation in which it is undertaken. Information and control connections must be determined dynamically while remaining understandable and manageable by watchstanders and supervisory authorities. We describe the Total Ship Information Management (TSIM) architecture that we have implemented to accomplish this. TSIM works with the Multi-Modal Watchstation through the use of ship-wide Enterprise Objects that represent (among other things) missions, orders, goals, watchstanders, tasks, events, information requirements, and information providers to route contextually-required information to each MMWS task and watchstander.
Managing Critical Events in a Multimodal Watchstation
Authors: DiVita Joseph C. , Nugent William
Published: January 2012

Change Blindness refers to the phenomena that humans are often unable to detect major changes in objects from one scene to the next. Future Naval Consoles, such as the Multimodal Watchstation (MMWS), will provide large, physically dispersed, screen areas that will require operators to shift their attention from one display to another - a departure from current “single task/single display” command and control consoles. This diversion of attention creates an opportunity for changes to be made to unattended screens. The result is that watchstanders may suffer from change blindness with potentially disastrous consequences. This paper presents data on the occurrence of change blindness in a tactical scenario. On a sparse tactical display comprised of only 8 contacts of interest, observers demonstrated a considerable degree of change blindness. These changes were task relevant and critical to the operator's situational awareness and task of monitoring the air space. For 27% of the critical changes tested, the observers were unsure as to what contact had actually changed on the display since it took them 2 or more mouse clicks to correctly identify the contact. On 16.5% of the trails, observers grossly guessed at what change took place. Thus, change blindness occurs in the CIC environment.
An Apparatus to Control Odorous Stimuli for Olfactory Evoked Potentials
Authors: Min Byung Chan , Chung Soon Cheol , Shin Jung Sang , Min Byung Woon , Kim Sang Gyun , Kim Chul Jung , Park Se Jin
Published: January 2012

We developed an apparatus for odorous stimuli control to record olfactory evoked potentials from human scalp. The characteristics of the apparatus were as follows. 1. Translating the subjects respiration into electric signals with a sensor attached to the nose. The period and timing of odorous stimuli could be adjusted, so that stimuli could be synchronous with respiration. 2. The respirations translated into electric signals were made constant in amplitude by using an auto gain control circuit. 3. The interstimulus interval of odorous could be arbitrarily selected once every 1 to 9 respirations so that adaptation could be prevented. We obtained olfactory - evoked potentials (OEPs) to odorous stimuli using this apparatus from the site of Cz, whose positive peak latencies were approximately 180 ± 23ms. Such response were not recorded if oxygen stimuli(Control) were used instead of odorous or with click sounds produced by the switching electromagnetic valve.
Methodology Meets Technology: Survey Response Rates Using Mail, Email and Fax
Authors: Wogalter Michael S. , Yarbrough Meredith F. , Martin David W.
Published: January 2012

The use of email and fax communications has increased dramatically over the last decade. They are now commonplace methods of information exchange. Most research involving questionnaires has used postal mail to deliver and return the surveys from recipients who might not otherwise be reached through live administration. A frequent methodological issue with mail surveys is low levels of return rates. The present research compared the return rates of a survey that was sent by mail, email or fax. Participants could return the survey by any of the same three methods. The results showed that postal mail and email exhibited higher return rates than facsimiles and that the method of return tended to be the same method in which the questionnaire was originally sent. Implications of these results for survey research are discussed.
Critical Incident Data and Their Importance in Remote Usability Evaluation
Authors: Castillo José C. , Hartson H. Rex
Published: January 2012

Although lab-based formative evaluation is effective for improving usability of user interfaces, it has limitations. Since most software has a life cycle extending well beyond the first release, the need for usability improvement does not end with deployment. To capture post-deployment usability data, we created the user-reported critical incident method, a method for remote, contemporaneous reporting of critical incidents by users for usability improvement. This method provides us with contextualized critical incident data - critical incident reports plus video and/or textual description of task context. Our studies of this self-reported critical incident method for remote usability evaluation show that users, located in their own working environment and with no background in software engineering or human-computer interaction and with the barest minimum of training, can identify, report, and rate the severity level of their own critical incidents during usage.
Collaborative Critical Incident Development
Authors: Neale Dennis C. , Dunlap Daniel R. , Isenhour Philip , Carroll John M.
Published: January 2012

We have been using critical incidents to research the design and evaluation of computer-mediated collaborative and communication technologies for use in K-12 education. A variety of methods have generated a number of critical incidents identified during classroom evaluations. To enhance our analysis and understanding of these incidents, we developed a Web-based forum called the collaborative critical incident tool (CCIT). Users (teachers) and researchers collaboratively post, rate incident criticality, and elaborate on critical incidents through sustained dialog, contributing to the understanding of underlying conditions, causes, and implications. In this paper we describe the tool and its impact on evaluation.
Usability Testing & Analysis of Advanced Multimodal Watchstation Functions
Authors: Kellmeyer David , Osga Glenn A.
Published: January 2012

Usability testing is a well known method for obtaining user feedback during the design process, Dumas & Redish (1993), Gomoll (1996), Halgren & Smilowitz (1997), Treu (1994). Testing has been a continuous aspect of the Multimodal Watchstation (MMWS) conceptual design process with different usability testing techniques having been used through various portions of the design. Early cognitive walkthrough evaluation helped to focus design efforts toward complex or contusing portions of the interface. Lo-fidelity prototype design and testing then focused on improving these portions on an individual basis. Once satisfied, hi-fidelity prototype testing was used to determine how time and interaction workload affected performance. This paper presents the various usability techniques used throughout the design process, with some key results from each technique, including a discussion of project resource investment for various design prototypes. Results indicate that utilizing various usability testing techniques provides both time and cost effective answers throughout all stages of conceptual design.
On the Merits of Using Multiple Indices in Evaluating Small Graphical Symbols
Authors: Piamonte Dominic Paul T.
Published: January 2012

This paper summarizes an international study that aimed to evaluate candidate telecommunication graphical symbols (icons and pictograms) developed in the west across different cultural groups by means of tests producing multiple indices or parameters of performance. Prospective users from eastern (Asian) and western countries were used as subjects. Several tests were performed utilizing videophone symbols based on studies done by the Human Factors Technical Committee (HFTC) of the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI). The ETSI-recommended symbols for 7 videophone functions or referents were tested using more than 300 subjects from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Finland, Sweden and the USA. Two other sets of 7 symbols each from the ETSI study were also tested. The tests used were spontaneous identification, the cued response, and the preference tests. Confidence judgement (subjective certainty ratings) complemented the subjects' answers for the first tests. Semantic differential scaling tests (SDT) were also done as added evaluatory tool. Results from spontaneous identification tests revealed very poor identification of most of the symbols in contrast to the cued response test results. Barely recognizing what the symbols meant strongly suggested the need to either redesign the symbols or to ensure adequate opportunities for familiarizing and educating the prospective users with the new symbols. The subjective certainty scores helped in studying the level of confidence of the answers by the subjects. Furthermore, the studies revealed that symbols could be easily recognized (high hit rates) but also confused as representing another (wrong) function at the same time. The “missing values” were also important since they indicated situations when respondents either did not know the answer or thought that none among the symbols were comprehensible or representative of a desired function. The preference tests pertained to aesthetics of the symbols individually and as a set. In turn, the SDT scores revealed that symbols could have different connotative meanings in relation to the functions they were intended to represent. Overall, Asian subjects performed comparably well with the European and American subjects, preferring the same set of videophone symbols, but usually at the expense of more errors and confusions. Thus, the studies showed that using multiple indices helped reveal subtle but potentially important differences in the results between different cultural groups.
Understanding the Needs of International Customers: Applying the Contextual Inquiry Method in Asia
Authors: Rishel Kari Compton , Grindstaff Rhonda , Beckman Orhan
Published: January 2012

As product markets become more global, companies need to understand their customers around the world. Asia is a growing market, but little information exists that describes how people use their office equipment. We conducted a study to look at how our Asian customers work with paper documents so we would have information to help us make product design decisions. We used the Contextual Inquiry method to collect data during visits with customers in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea. In preparation for our trip, we learned as much as possible about each culture. Following each visit, we modeled the data, and after returning to the United States, we consolidated all the models by country. We collected feedback from team members who represented a number of product development disciplines, and we conducted brainstorming sessions to determine how we might improve our products to meet the needs of our customers. Throughout this paper we describe lessons we learned for conducting contextual inquiry visits in Asia and make some recommendations on how to improve the process. In conclusion, we found the Contextual Inquiry method a useful tool for collecting information about our Asian customers and helping us identify ways to improve our products.
Live Fire Test and Evaluation Ergonomics Projects
Authors: Carter Richard J. , O'Bryon James F.
Published: January 2012

The live fire test and evaluation (LFT&E) program is oriented towards providing a realistic assessment of the survivability and lethality of a military system. A component of every live fire test is an assessment of crew survivability. Three major ergonomics related projects, operational requirements-based casualty assessment (ORCA), combined toxic gas modeling, and gravitational loss of consciousness (G-LOC), are described. ORCA is a comprehensive standardized methodology for assessing personnel casualties following weapon induced injury. The combined toxic gas model is an incapacitation model that incorporates complex physicochemical interactions between gases and tissues and accommodates experimental data across animal species and humans. Two G-LOC related efforts are discussed. The first endeavor is expanding upon the automatic ground collision avoidance system (GCAS). The second project is being conducted via five tasks.
Usability Evaluation of a Multimedia Program for School Children, Grade K-6
Authors: Berns T , Klusell L , Pousette S
Published: January 2012

The Swedish National Institute for Working Life and the University of Jönköping are cooperating in a project to produce a multimedia (CD-ROM based) program to be used by children. The target group concists of children in between 6 and 12 years of age and the main objective with the program is to make children aware of the physical ergonomic aspects in the use of computer workstations in the school environment. Nomos Management AB was asked to conduct an usability evaluation test of the program to ensure ease of use. The test pointed out a number of usability problems in the program. The majority of the problems could be separated under two headlines - “user interface design” and “lack of understanding the user”.
Digital Human Modelling Systems: A Procedure for Verification and Validation Using the F-16 Crew Station
Authors: Hudson Jeffrey A. , Oudenhuijzen Aernout , Zehner Gregory F.
Published: January 2012

Digital Human Modelling Systems (HMS's) are considered a basic element in the cockpit design process. Their bio-fidelity has yet to be fully demonstrated, however. Currently, a joint project, undertaken by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL/HECP) and the Netherlands (TNO HFRI), is addressing this issue. This effort will help improve methods for controlling and assuring anthropometric accommodation of crew systems in military aircraft. A verification and validation procedure is being developed as a part of this project and has been implemented for several commercially available HMS's. The two phases of the procedure are:

1. Anthropometric Verification: Quantify and compare a set of anthropometric values measured on 8 test subjects with the same set measured on their corresponding digital manikins (their human models), and 2. F-16 Cockpit Validation: Quantify and compare field test results (involving reaches, clearance, vision) of the same 8 test subjects in an F-16 cockpit, to the digital test results obtained with the HMS's using digital models of the subjects placed in an F-16 CAD drawing. The digital tests are conducted without knowledge of the field data results. The ultimate goal of this project is to set the standard for verification and validation of Human Modelling Systems to ensure their bio-fidelity. A complete discussion of the methods is provided below. The results, however, were not available at the time this manuscript was submitted, but will be covered in the oral presentation.
3-D Fit Mapping
Authors: Robinette Kathleen M.
Published: January 2012

One of the biggest advantages of 3-D surface anthropometry is the ability to capture the 3-D interface between the person and the equipment they wear or use. When combined with fit performance information this permits measurement and visualization of the geometry of fit for individuals. It dramatically improves our understanding of fit, and our ability to create accurate fit maps in multi-dimensional anthropometric spaces. This paper will attempt to demonstrate with real examples, that capturing and mapping fit is essential to effective engineering, and that 3-D surface anthropometry dramatically improves our fit mapping capability.
Morphological Variations in a French School Children and Adolescent Population Aged Four to Eighteen
Authors: Mollard Régis , Martel Anne , Coblentz Alex
Published: January 2012

A survey was made in an administrative school area, composed of rural and urban zones, giving initially the best probabilities to get the full morphological variability representative of the national general school population. A total number of 532 boys and 524 girls aged from 4 to 18 were measured with 18 anthropometric dimensions. The survey was conducted in nursery, primary and secondary schools. The whole statistic results on anthropometric data were analysed according to sex, age and school level. This survey confirms the great variability between boys and girls of a same age group, particularly in pre-puberty and puberty growth periods. With these updated anthropometric data it is possible to provide databases for ergonomic conception and reference for medical health.
Bridging Tools for Human Factors and Design
Authors: Macdonald Alastair S.
Published: January 2012

Poor communication can arise between different professions due to the limitations of the language each specialism employs. Designers, as ‘generalists’, are the end users of ‘specialist’ knowledge such as human factors, but each field will have its own vocabulary of terminology. This communication gap between specialists can result in under-optimised products failing to deliver usability, quality and enjoyment in use. The ambition of this paper is to explore how communication can be improved through the use of a range of ‘bridging tools’ that facilitate the sharing of expertise and the development of a common language between a range of professions, particularly between ergonomists and designers. The paper provides a brief survey of existing bridging tools which facilitate the expression of design issues, and people's rational and emotional responses to design.
Communicating Ergonomics Data and Principle to other Professions
Authors: Feeney Robert , Bobjer Olle
Published: January 2012

Few would disagree with the idea that communicating human factor data and principles to other professions is of vital importance. Yet many human factor specialists have found this to be a problem, Part of the problem stems from the form in which human factor data is presented. Another part is understanding the standpoint and background of the other profession.

This paper attempts to describe the problem as it relates to product design and suggests ways it can be overcome. Of particular importance is to demonstrate the costs and benefits of using human factor data and techniques and the need for a user centred approach. The paper goes on to describe ways in which effective communication can be made often in a way that will enhance the success of the product and provide benefits for the designers themselves in their work.
The Ergonomic Tool Anthropos in Virtual Reality - Requirements, Methods and Realisation
Authors: Seidl Andreas
Published: January 2012

The integration of ergonomic simulation in Digital Mockup and Virtual Reality requires an adapted digital man model design. Virtual ANTHROPOS was developed for the needs of this technology. Beside a realistic visualization of the human being (skeleton, different bodytypes, consideration of clothing), complex animation algorithm and automatic behavior simulation are necessary. Increased ergonomic functionalities allow the fast analysis of workplaces and products. In cooperation with universities and companies Virtual ANTHROPOS was integrated in different Virtual Reality platforms and is used to analyze, design and sale cars and airplanes.
Application of the 3-D CAD Manikin Ramsis to Heavy Truck Design
Authors: Loczi Josef
Published: January 2012

This paper describes application examples of RAMSIS, a 3-D CAD human model for ergonomic truck evaluations, to truck design. RAMSIS realistically simulates truck driver postures and locations, an important prerequisite to having confidence in subsequent ergonomic analyses. We show examples of how visibility evaluations compare to traditional SAE methods, arm reach and force evaluation; and an example for entry/exit evaluations.
3-D Body Scanning - Systems, Methods and Applications for Automatic Interpretation of 3D Surface Anthropometrical Data
Authors: Tneb Rainer , Seidl Andreas , Hansen Guido , Pruett C.
Published: January 2012

Since the early beginning of the development of the 3-D digital human and ergonomics tool RAMSIS in 1988, appropriate measurement systems had been developed simultaneously. New integrated approaches and methods for human body measurement have been investigated and developed. TECMATH has developed the VITUS Pro and VITUS Smart 3-D Full Body Laser Scanner family for high precision, and adapted a 2-D video camera-based system that is simple to use and inexpensive. In the past three years, novel applications for mass customization have been developed specifically for the clothing industry. More than 120 systems (3-D and 2-D) have been installed in research environments, clothing shops, army facilities and automobile manufacturers in the past two years. These organizations require measurement systems, methods, and analysis techniques that ensure reliable and precise information about human body dimensions.
An Experimental Setup to Parameterize and Simulate Upholstered Seats
Authors: Hartung Jürgen , Balzulat Jochen , Bubb Heiner
Published: January 2012

The increasing number of 3D-CAD-systems integrating computer based man models make it possible to evaluate the design of the man machine interface in an early state. The interaction of human and seat is not simulated in a satisfying way yet due to the extreme complexity of the task. At the Lehrstuhl für Ergonomie, Technische Universität München an experimental setup has been developed to investigate this interaction systematically. With the help of this setup upholstered seats can be parameterized by their spring characteristics and geometry to be simulated as physical representation of the seat with the same setup. Pressure distributions and deflection profiles can be measured with integrated sensors. The simulated seat also provides the possibility to vary the seat characteristics systematically. The experimental setup consists of two cushion units, adjustable in size and angle. Each unit consists of 9 by 9 adjustable positioning units, technically realized as programmable springs. Tests with selected positioning units have shown that the accuracy of positioning, as well as the accuracy of the measured and simulated spring characteristics is sufficient. Existing seat cushions have been simulated. Based on mathematical indices the similarity of measured pressure distributions on the simulated cushions and the corresponding seats were compared. Based on this results it can be stated that the characteristics of real seats can be simulated with sufficient accuracy. So it is possible to use the experimental setup as a tool to gain the necessary data to model the interaction between the human body and upholstered seats. Further research is going to be performed on the modeling according to the physical parameters geometry and spring characteristics of the seat as well as the pressure distribution and deflection profiles caused by the subjects interacting with the seat.
Ergonomics in the Nordic European Countries - A Historical Perspective
Authors: Ivergård Toni , Landstad Bodil
Published: January 2012

The Nordic Ergonomic society was founded more than 30 years ago to represent Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. Recently Iceland has also been included. The Nordic Ergonomics Society has, to a large extent, traditionally been oriented towards work in the area of physiology, and a large number of its members have backgrounds within such areas as work physiology, physiotherapy and rehabilitation. However, from its inception the society has had members who are experienced within such fields as work psychology, design, engineering and occupational health and safety. Over the last decade we have also had new members from such areas as work sociology, organisational psychology, leadership, training, information technology and cybernetics. Members have been concerned mainly with the application and practice of ergonomics. The number of members involved in research has also increased over the years. The principal areas of application for such research have been within industry and government.
Cognition in the Automated Cockpit: A Coherence Perspective
Authors: Mosier Kathleen L.
Published: January 2012

Much of the focus of papers in this symposium has been on using cues in the decision-making environment, input from relevant sources, and knowledge from past experience to assess current situations and make decisions. The cognitive processes inherent in these tasks are critical to success in the aviation environment; however, attention must also be paid to the cognitive requirements for effective diagnosis and decision making within the automated cockpit. Most importantly, in terms of theoretical and practical implications, the sophistication of automated systems in the cockpit means that pilots have access to highly reliable and accurate information (rather than probabilistic cues). This change demands that we examine cognitive processing within the automated cockpit in terms of the match or mismatch between the cognitive behavior elicited by the electronic environment, the cognitive response required by the task, and the cognitive strategy adopted by the pilot. The premise of this paper is that a framework that accomplishes this can be found in correspondence and coherence, complementary metatheories of judgment and decision making, and in the Cognitive Continuum Theory of judgment (CCT; e.g., Hammond 1996, 2000; Hammond, Hamm, Grassia, & Pearson, 1997), and that the nature of the pilot's cognitive task in the automated cockpit has been altered from a largely intuitive, correspondence-based task to a primarily analytical, coherence-based task. The purpose of this paper will be to briefly describe these theories and their relevance to diagnosis and decision making in the automated cockpit, and to explore whether the design of automated systems supports or hinders requisite cognitive strategies.
A Simulator Study of Pilots' Monitoring Strategies and Performance on Modern Glass Cockpit Aircraft
Authors: Mumaw Randall J. , Nikolic Mark I. , Sarter Nadine B. , Wickens Christopher D.
Published: January 2012

Monitoring failures are widely assumed to be responsible for breakdowns in pilot-automation coordination; however, only limited subjective and anecdotal data are available on the monitoring behavior of flight crews on glass cockpit aircraft. This study is the first to collect and relate both performance and eye-tracking data from pilots who flew a challenging scenario in a high-fidelity modern aircraft simulator. Twenty B-747-400 line pilots were recruited from two major U.S. airlines and were given a one-hour scenario that was designed specifically to assess pilots' use and monitoring of the automation. The findings from this study confirm that pilots experience considerable difficulties with tracking the status and behavior of the automation on modern glass cockpit aircraft. They appear to monitor flight mode annunciations to a much lesser extent and at a more superficial level than intended and expected by designers and training departments. Possible ways of supporting pilots more effectively through improved automation feedback and training are discussed.
Modeling the Big Sky Theory
Authors: Knecht William R.
Published: January 2012

This work examines the mathematical assumptions underlying the so-called “Big Sky Theory” (BST). Given stated assumptions about airspace geometry, the number of aircraft, and the flight parameters of each, Monte Carlo simulations are used to parameterize closed-solution probability estimates for both operational errors and metal-on-metal collisions. This methodology either confirms or disconfirms the BST as a functional separation maintenance “safety net” for air traffic control (ATC), depending on one's assumptions about the airspace and standards for separation.
Cockpit Display of Traffic Information: The Effects of Traffic Load, Dimensionality, and Vertical Profile Orientation
Authors: Alexander Amy L. , Wickens Christopher D.
Published: January 2012

Eighteen certified flight instructors from the University of Illinois Institute of Aviation participated in an experiment exploring the design of the Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) for free flight. Pilots flew a sequence of flight scenarios to compare the effects of traffic load, dimensionality, and a vertical profile orientation on maneuver frequency, safety, and maneuver efficiency. Climbs and descents were found to be more frequent than other maneuvers. Both the rear-view and 3D displays were safer in terms of predicted conflict avoidance than the side-view display. Climbing maneuvers were more safely implemented with the rear-view and 3D displays than with the side-view display. The lateral efficiency of climbing maneuvers was highest with the rear-view display. Altitude maintenance of lateral/vertical maneuvers was highest with the side-view, then the rear-view, and then lowest with the 3D display. Airspeed efficiency of airspeed maneuvers was highest with the rear-view display. These findings suggest that a rear-view coplanar CDTI may be preferable to either a side-view coplanar or 3D display.
'Symbicons': A Hybrid Symbology That Combines the Best Elements of Symbols and Icons
Authors: Smallman Harvey S. , St. John Mark , Oonk Heather M. , Cowen Michael B.
Published: January 2012

New tactical displays are being developed that depict military assets as realistic icons, whereas conventional displays show them as non-realistic symbols. Our previous research has revealed a mixed pattern of performance benefits for symbols and icons across different attributes of the represented assets. For both naming and visual search, we found that symbols were faster for platform and affiliation while icons were faster for heading. Platform category was not different between the two. This mix inspired us to create a hybrid — ‘Symbicon’ — symbology that combined the best aspects of symbols and icons. Symbicons possess the platform-identifying interior of standard military symbols and the cartoon outline of a ship or aircraft, adapted from icons, to conspicuously code for platform category (air, sea) and heading. Here, we compare visual search performance for icons, symbols and Symbicons for the four attributes mentioned. We document that Symbicons do, indeed, support the fastest search.
Night Vision Goggles Lessons Learned
Authors: Gawron Valerie J. , Priest James E.
Published: January 2012

This paper describes lessons learned over a 12-year period of evaluating the adequacy of standalone and integrated night vision goggles (NVGs). The term integrated means NVGs that are combined with other sensors or displays to present an overall picture to the crewmember. Lessons learned cover the effects of the basic human visual system, limitations of types of NVG equipment, problems that have occurred during implementation and identifying operational utility. The lessons are limited to the devices (either projected view or direct view) that amplify the existing visible or near infrared energy and present it to the crewmember. Issues relevant to true Infra-Red (IR) detector sets (wavelengths between than 1 and 20 microns) are not discussed.
The Role of Weather in General Aviation Accidents: An Analysis of Causes, Contributing Factors and ISSUES
Authors: Capobianco Gary , Lee Mark D.
Published: January 2012

This paper discusses an analysis that was undertaken to identify the causes, contributing factors and associated issues of weather-related general aviation (GA) accidents to aid in the development of cockpit-based, aviation weather information (AWIN) systems. A total of 1520 GA accidents from 1995 to 1998 that reported at least one weather condition as a cause or contributing factor were selected from the NTSB Aviation Accident/Incident Database. The accident variables examined were accident year, injury severity, phase of operation, probable causes, contributing factors, meteorological and light conditions, pilot ratings and pilot experience. Results suggest the most prevalent factors in fatal weather accidents are low ceiling (20%), fog (14%), wind (10%), and night (9%). VFR to IMC flight and flight into adverse weather during the cruise phase are the most common probable causes of fatal weather accidents. Several scenarios primarily responsible for fatal weather accidents are identified and recommendations for AWIN system design are also presented.
Driving Research and the Older Adult: A Debate Among Researchers and Practitioners
Authors: Jentsch Florian
Published: January 2012

As we have begun to live longer, the proportion of older drivers involved in vehicle operation is on the rise. This group relies on private automobiles as a main means of independent transportation. At the same time, there is concern that age-related deteriorations of human functions may make older drivers less safe than their younger counterparts.

Despite the advances in driver research, especially as it relates to the older driver, there have been complaints about the value of this research for practice. We will debate this issue. Specifically, the focus will be on an exchange between researchers and practitioners in the following areas.

– What are the current issues in practice regarding older drivers? – What are the current issues in research regarding older drivers? – What can practitioners do better so that researchers study operationally relevant topics? – What can researchers do better to facilitate transition of their results to practice? – What are good mechanisms for continued dialogue between research and practice?
Age Differences in the Performance of Hypertext Perusal
Authors: Lin Dyi-Yih Michael
Published: January 2012

The present study examined the extent to which age had impacts on the performance of hypertext perusal as a function of text topologies. Ten subjects, five young (mean = 27.4) and five seniors (mean = 61.6), participated in an experiment where three levels of text linearity were manipulated. The data showed that both age and text topologies were significant sources of variability in hypertext browsing and navigation. On each text topology, older subjects browsed less text with a larger number of nodes repeatedly visited, which suggested more severe disorientation. With respect to navigation, a significant age x topology interaction indicated that the effect of age differences was mainly derived from the network topology, evidenced by the more extra links searched by the senior subject. Implications for the design of hypertext systems that accommodate the age effects are discussed.
Situation Awareness: Does it Change With Age?
Authors: Bolstad Cheryl Actor
Published: January 2012

The aim of this research project was to study age-related differences in our ability to perceive and abstract important information from the environment and to determine what physical and cognitive components are related to this ability. Young, middle and older adults completed several questionnaires, a battery of psychological tests, a standardized vision measure as well as several trials using a realistic driving simulator. A concurrent memory probe technique was used to measure participant's ability to attend to important information while driving. Their probe answers were checked against the actual simulator data and a composite situation awareness (SA) score was created. Results confirm the hypotheses that older adults have lower situation awareness when compared to younger and middle-aged adults. Factors that are related to this ability include useful field of view (UFOV), perceptual speed, driving experience and self-reported vision.
Mental Models and the Abstraction Hierarchy: Assessing Ecological Compatibility
Authors: St-Cyr Olivier , Burns Catherine M.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents a new approach to understanding mental models for complex industrial systems. Using the Abstraction Hierarchy (AH) framework as a way to describe mental models, we propose an approach to assess ecological compatibility between an operator's internal mental model and a model of the environment. In order to do so, we have combined and built upon the previous work of Rasmussen (1979) and Moray (1996). We believe that this new approach can assess ecological compatibility and ultimately provide the operator with a more accurate and complete internal mental model that reflects the reality of the environment. We argue that Ecological Interface Design (EID) is a way to link mental models and the environment. Future work will be needed in order to assess ecological compatibility. This includes capturing and examining operators' internal mental models, and comparing them with models of the environment.
The Many Faces of Risk in Aviation Decision Making
Authors: Orasanu Judith , Davison Jeannie , Ciavarelli Anthony , Cohen Marvin , Fischer Ute , Slovic Paul
Published: January 2012

Perception of risk is a critical component of pilot decision making in dynamic flight situations. While we tend to think of risk as pertaining only to physical threat, multiple types of risk exist and may be pitted against each other, creating goal conflicts. Sometimes pilots make risky decisions that place them in unsafe situations, occasionally leading to accidents. Our panel will discuss various perspectives on risk that may influence flight crew decision-making. These include organizational factors, pilots' experience levels, specific job responsibilities, framing of decision problems, social/professional pressures, and affect. How these factors may influence decision making and implications for improving the quality of pilot decisions will be discussed.
Policy as an Interaction Method for Decision Support Systems
Authors: Dorneich Michael C. , Whitlow Stephen D. , Miller Christopher A. , Allen John A.
Published: January 2012

This paper introduces the notion of policy as a basis for interaction for decision-support systems, and describes how policy was applied as the foundation of a decision-support tool to aid in diversion management in airline operations. A policy is an abstract, general, a priori statement of expressing a goal and an associated priority. Diversion management is the process of deciding which incoming flights to divert and to which airport they will be diverted. The consequences of diversions can be complex due to the interdependent nature of resources and schedules, and the multiple stakeholders that are impacted by the decision. In current practice there is little consideration of how diversion decision will impact airline operations due to the difficulty of acquiring and analyzing the relevant data. Policy is used to capture the goals and priorities of all stakeholders and when used as the basis of a critiquing decision-support system, thereby ensures inclusion of their interests into the decision making process.
A Field Study of Collaborative Work in Network Management: Implications for Interface Design
Authors: Chow Renée , Vicente Kim J.
Published: January 2012

To inform the design of interfaces in real-time network management, a field study of telecommunication engineers was conducted at a corporate network operating centre. Eighty hours of direct observations, spanning ten different shifts, were carried out. This study focused on the nature of collaboration between network managers and stakeholders who were internal and external to their organization, how they communicated with one another, and how network managers distributed responsibilities and information. The characteristics of network management, and thus the collaboration, differ substantially in some ways from other complex work domains. This work helped to identify novel opportunities for enhancing and redesigning current interfaces to provide better support for communication and coordination in network operating environments.