bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Display and Task Features on System Monitoring Performance in the Original Multi-Attribute Task Battery and MATB-II
Authors: Stader Sally , Leavens Jennifer , Gonzalez Brittney , Fontaine Valentina , Mouloua Mustapha , Alberti Pascal
Published: October 2013

This study was designed to empirically examine equipment and system monitoring task features of the new Multi-Attribute Task Battery-I I (MATB-II) and the original version (MATB). It also was intended to examine the effects of adaptive task allocation on system monitoring performance, as found in previous studies. In addition, two different computer displays (CRT and LCD) were used to test performance differences between the two systems in order to add historical fidelity to the study results. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups (MATB or MATB-II both on CRT or LCD), all receiving a return to manual control of the system monitoring task at mid experiment. A fifth group using the MATB on CRT with no task allocation was the control. Measures used to compare the two systems included percent of automation failures detected by participants in the system monitoring task and subjective workload. Results failed to show significance for the adaptive task allocation manipulation. However, significant differences in monitoring performance were found between the two systems. Implications for design of display and equipment features and future research are discussed.
Further Evidence for Ground Dominance in Control Of Speed During Low Altitude Flight
Authors: Meyer Mark , Adamic Eric J. , Dyre Brian P.
Published: October 2013

Previous research found that during simulated low-altitude flight, optical control of speed is based on the flow rate projected by the ground, even when changes in altitude make this information unreliable and other sources of speed information, such as the flow rate of a cloud layer above the flight path, could provide more valid information. However, in these studies factors such as color and contrast differences between the ground and clouds may have contributed to ground dominance. Further, it is possible that ground dominance results from an inability to integrate flow distributed across different surfaces in the environment. Here we report two experiments that test whether these factors contribute to ground dominance. We found ground dominance to be independent of color and contrast differences between the ground and cloud surfaces and that control of speed is based on global optical flow defined across multiple surfaces when these surfaces do not represent the ground.
Effects of Conceptual Training and Procedural Training for Teaching Aviation Instrument Holding Patterns
Authors: Dattel Andrew R. , Kossuth Lisa , Sheehan Chelsea C. , Green H. Justin , Giannini Crystal , Decker Jennifer , Mericle-Swingle Hayley M. , Crockett Suzanne A.
Published: October 2013

Twenty private pilots without instrument ratings trained how to fly instrument holding patterns. Holding patterns are advanced aviation maneuvers learned during instrument training where pilots maintain a particular “race-track” figure that keeps the airplane essentially stationary. Participants were randomly assigned to a procedural training group or a conceptual training group. The step-by-step sequence of actions to fly instrument holds was emphasized in the procedural training group. The reasons for flying instruments holds and the interrelationship of elements in a dynamic environment were emphasized in the conceptual training group. Training stimuli included reading text and watching videos. Participants who were conceptually trained showed no difference in situation awareness when flying a typical instrument hold in a flight simulator compared to when flying a more difficult, atypical instrument hold in a flight simulator. However, the procedurally trained participants showed significantly less situation awareness when flying the atypical instrument hold compared to when flying the typical instrument hold. It was found that participants who required more attempts to answer questions correctly during training showed better situation awareness when flying atypical holding patterns. Finally it was found that participants required more attempts to answer questions correctly during the training delivered via video than they did during the training delivered via text.
Action Video Game Players and Vigilance Performance
Authors: Schmidt Tarah N. , Teo Grace W. L. , Hancock Gabriella M. , Amicarelle Zack , Szalma James L. , Hancock Peter A.
Published: October 2013

The current study used a video game-based vigilance task in which participants viewed a dynamic environment filled with objects and elements from a real-world environment. Participants were to detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during a “patrol route” through a generic Afghanistan village. There was motivation to compare performance measures between participants who play video games and those who do not due to rising popularity in video game culture and the ubiquitous market on serious games as training platforms. Analysis reveals that action video game players (AVGPs) show significant advantages over non-video game players (NVGPs) as it relates to vigilance performance (i.e. proportion of correct detections, response time, false alarms, etc.). Additionally, workload analysis indicated AVGPs do find certain facets of the task to be demanding (Physical and Mental demand) but overall, AVGPs rate the task lower than NVGPs in terms of total or global perceived workload.
Investigating the Impact of Self-Efficacy in Learning Disaster Strategies in an On-Line Serious Game
Authors: Blasko-Drabik Holly , Blasko Dawn G. , Lum Heather C. , Erdem Bilge , Ohashi Miri
Published: October 2013

As playing serious games becomes a more viable method of teaching it is important to examine the factors that may impact successful learning. In the current study we examined whether college students could learn disaster prevention strategies from an on-line game. We measured perceptions of learning self-efficacy, enjoyment and game usability. Participants were asked to play an online serious game designed to help them learn what to do to prepare for a natural disaster (tsunami). Knowledge of disaster strategies were measured before and after two brief game periods. The results showed that players significantly improved in their knowledge and performance. The best predictor of post-test scores was the players’ perceived self-efficacy at the end of the game. Players who felt that they could master the game, tended to have the highest performance scores. Enjoyment of the game also predicted performance suggesting that those who felt more positively also felt that they could master the game. In this relatively simple game space perceptions of usability were not as strong a predictor of performance.
Reality Check
Authors: Graves William J. , Stauble Melissa R. , Rice Stephen , Hottman Steve
Published: October 2013

There is extensive research showing that video game play can improve certain aspects of cognitive ability. Interestingly most of the stereotypes of video game players are overwhelmingly negative. These stereotypes are usually related to social features (e.g., violent, impulsive, unpopular, etc.). The purpose of this study was to examine stereotypes related to cognitive traits. Due to the overwhelming amount of research indicating video game play is positively associated with cognitive ability, we predicted that participants would rate video game players as superior to non-video game players on cognitive ability. A total of 49 participants were run in two separate experiments (one experiment was limited to residents of the United States, and participants in the other experiment were not limited to the United States). As predicted, results from both experiments indicate that video game players are viewed as cognitively superior to non-video game players. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Mitigation of the Confirmation Bias Using a Game-Based Trainer
Authors: Mersch Elizabeth , Fox Olivia , Leonard Jim , Flach John , Bennett Kevin , Holt Jerred
Published: October 2013

A search task was developed to test for confirmation bias in a virtual game-based trainer. The goal of the study was to test the effectiveness of the task in detecting analyst biases within the dynamics of virtual game-based trainers. In-game action and performance were measured. Results indicated that participants initially commit confirmation bias and then learn to mitigate it. Findings also show that participants understood the task and were engaged.
A little knowledge
Authors: Egeth Marc , Soosaar Jennifer , Margolies Rebecca , Shames Adam
Published: October 2013

Errors made by injection-experienced and injection-inexperienced participants were compared to test whether injection experience relates to use errors among potential users of a new injection device. In our sample, healthcare professionals (Group 1) made the fewest errors overall while there was also a trend for injection-experienced laypeople (Group 2) to make more errors than injection-inexperienced laypeople (Group 3). Furthermore, the types of errors made by each of the two layperson groups appear distinct from each other, with the pattern of errors made by injection-experienced laypeople more closely resembling the pattern among medical professionals. We speculate that medically experienced laypeople might inherit the “worst of both worlds” in that, as laypeople, they make errors due to inexperience with medical procedures and that also, like healthcare professionals, they make errors due to negative transfer from past experience with medical procedures. We suggest that experienced laypeople require special consideration as a potentially vulnerable user group.
Evaluating user response to patient health records represented in temporal and non-temporal form
Authors: Barker Leon , Scott Donia R. , Cassell Jackie A.
Published: October 2013

Though it is common for research to rely on the results of computer algorithms in the evaluation of data, there is great potential for visualisation tools to enhance researchers’ abilities to qualify and evaluate large datasets. Tools for graphically representing patient health records have to date focussed on temporal (i.e., time line) presentations. We present the results of an exploration of the utility to researchers of nontemporal presentations of large medical data resources, and show how they have been incorporated into a web-based interactive tool for visualising electronic health records.
Hand Instrument Performance in A Single Site Surgery Simulator With Novices
Authors: Riggle Jakeb D. , Miller Emily E. , McCrory Bernadette , Meitl Alex , Lim Eric , Hallbeck M. Susan , LaGrange Chad A.
Published: October 2013

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is a new minimally invasive surgical technique that presents physical and mental challenges to surgeons. Currently, LESS procedures are commonly performed using surgical instruments designed for traditional multi-incision laparoscopic surgery. A pilot study was conducted to determine which laparoscopic instruments were the most efficient for LESS procedures. In a LESS surgical trainer, 24 novice users completed a simple surgical task using standard (non-articulating) straight laparoscopic graspers and two different articulating instruments. Task performance was scored based on completion time and the number of errors. Analyses showed that the use of the simpler straight instruments produced significantly faster times (p = 0.004 and p = 0.014) and higher task scores (p = 0.005 and p = 0.021) than the articulating instruments. These results suggest that standard laparoscopic hand instruments enable better novice performance for a basic LESS task.
Improving Patient Safety through Educational Initiatives
Authors: Paull Douglas E. , Williams Linda C.
Published: October 2013

The VA National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) came into being just prior to publication of the IOM Report (Kohn, 1999). From the outset, the approach used by NCPS was to seek engineering solutions (Watts, 2012). Human factors engineering (HFE) adds the necessary insight for solving complex patient safety issues (Bagian, 2012; Gurses, 2012). For NCPS, the initial step was development of a specialized professional role, a Patient Safety Manager, employed at every VA hospital [Bagian, 2002]. A second effort, detailed here, is specifically focused on filling a patient safety leadership gap. Clinician-leaders become patient safety leaders as they acquire knowledge and skills in teamwork, communication, and other HFE-based methods for problem-solving.
Usability Problems in users of specialized and generic masks for protection against pollen
Authors: Morishima Mika , Kishida Koya , Uozumi Takashi , Kamijo Masayoshi
Published: October 2013

The long-term goal of this study was to identify improvements to both the functionality and comfort of a hygiene masks that protect the wearer from pollen. We conducted a survey on young adults who suffer from hay fever and who use specialized or generic masks to protect from pollen. The results indicate that many females who use a specialized mask are highly aware of problems. We focused on the users, so that the problems with the masks were studied from the viewpoint of associated symptoms and other treatments. Our findings will be of use in the design and development of more comfortable and practical masks for both sexes but particularly for women.
Emergency Medical Services
Authors: Mueller Jessica A. , Stanley Laura M.
Published: October 2013

Emergency medical service workers are a high-risk group, and while some of this risk is inherent in the type of work that they perform, much of it may be avoidable. This study examines medical professionals administering patient care during patient transportation to highlight previously overlooked safety issues in an ambulance. EMS workers were observed over the course of 3 months using video data collected during all patient transports. Visual data reduction recorded the medic back angles, seated/standing posture, and whether or not the medic was providing patient care during all patient transports. Analysis of the data showed that EMS workers display intermediate (between 20° and 60°) and severe (larger than 60°) back angles while standing compared to sitting, and are standing and displaying potentially harmful postures while providing patient care. These findings indicate that there is a relationship between the EMS worker’s ability to adequately provide patient care and his inability to do so from a neutral seated posture in an ambulance layout that is currently used in many ambulances used throughout the world.
Differences in the Performance of Older and Younger Adults in a Natural vs. Synthetic Speech Dichotic Listening Task
Authors: Sinatra Anne M. , Sims Valerie K. , Bailey Shannon K.T. , Najle Maxine B.
Published: October 2013

It has been suggested that older adults have more difficulty processing synthetic (computerized) speech than natural speech. One of the reasons for this is that with age, understanding and interpreting speech require additional working memory resources. As synthetic speech is often listened to when one is engaged in an additional task, it is important to understand how adults process and understand it. The impact of synthetic speech to break into attention while shadowing speech, and blocking out an additional stimulus in a dichotic listening task has previously been examined with a younger adult population (Sinatra, Sims, Najle & Chin, 2011). In order to examine if the ability to process unattended stimuli differs with age, the current study has replicated this task and compared the performance of older adults to that of younger. It was found that while younger adults were able to process details and semantic information from unattended audio, older adults were only able to process physical characteristic information, such as pitch. This research suggests that as we age less unattended information (such as the content of an alert) will be processed than when we are younger.
Applying a Consistency Coefficient Methodology to General and Specific Attitudes Towards Automated Devices
Authors: Graves William J. , Stauble Melissa R. , Rice Stephen , Hottman Steve
Published: October 2013

The current study addresses two main goals: a) to present a new methodological approach that features within-participants consistency coefficients as a means to analyse data; and b) to show how this new methodology can generate findings otherwise impossible to detect. There have been very few studies that have looked at attitudes towards automation, and none that we know of that have looked at the consistency of attitudes towards automation. Participants rated their attitudes towards 15 different common household automated devices across two identical blocks in order to generate a consistency coefficient. They then rated their attitudes towards automation in general. The results showed that general and specific attitudes were moderately high, the consistency of attitudes towards specific types of automated devices was moderate at best, and that there was a correlation between the consistency of the specific attitudes and general attitudes. This correlation was stronger for female participants compared to male participants. We discuss methodological implications of these findings.
Effects of Orientation on Workload during Touch Screen Operation among Individuals With and Without Disabilities
Authors: Kuehn Katherine A. , Chourasia Amrish O. , Wiegmann Douglas A. , Sesto Mary E.
Published: October 2013

As the use of touch screen technology increases in everyday situations for all walks of life, universal design should be taken into account when designing products to be used by a wide range of users. This re-search studies the workload associated with touch screen use from a front and parallel orientation for individuals with and without motor control disabilities. The NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) was used to assess workload. Participants with a motor control disability (+MCD; n=20) and age-matched participants without a motor control disability (-MCD; n=18) completed a four-digit touchscreen number entry task. Results show that the +MCD group had a higher perceived workload than the –MCD group. The workload demands of the parallel vs. front orientation were higher for both groups across most TLX subscales. The magnitude of the difference in workload between parallel and front orientation was greater for the +MCD group. The results from this study suggest that when the parallel orientation is necessary, careful consideration should be given to designing touch screen interfaces to reduce workload for all users.
Further Explorations of the “White Space” Bias in Users’ Anticipation of Task Workload
Authors: Sublette M. , Carswell C.M. , Seidelman W. , Lee M. , Seales W.B.
Published: October 2013

As more designers allow users to customize the look and feel of interfaces, users will be required to recognize the implications of their choices on their future performance, comfort, and enjoyment. Understanding the limits of people’s predictive capabilities may be an important component in identifying why people choose one product over another based on ease of use or why people have difficulties identifying tasks that can be performed together. The purpose of this study is to further explore users’ biases for utilizing the amount of white space in the stimulus as a predictor of task difficulty, to validate discrepancies between predicted task difficulty and performance outcomes found in previous research and the human factors literature, and to identify task-specific strategies that are used to anticipate task difficulty. The study uses the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) in prospective difficulty judgments for these three types of tasks: 1) a stimulus-response compatibility task, 2) a target acquisition task and 3) a perceptual search task. In general, participants predicted lower task demand for designs with more intervening white space. For the visual search task, these estimates of demand were consistent with participants’ actual performance reaction times. However, for the stove design and Fitts’ tasks participants rated tasks that were likely to result in more errors as less challenging suggesting that the type of task is an important factor in participants’ abilities to predict relative task difficulty.
Effects of Pulse rate, Fundamental Frequency, and Burst Density on Auditory Similarity
Authors: Gonzalez Christian A. , Baldwin Carryl L.
Published: October 2013

Auditory alarms are currently used in medicine, automotive and aviation settings. However, a high degree of variability and lack of standardization may compromise safety if multiple warning sounds are easily confused with each other. Identifying the parameters that are most relevant to auditory similarity will facilitate the development of guidelines that ensure alarms are distinct without requiring standardization. Twenty-seven undergraduate students judged the similarity of a set of abstract sounds varying in pulse rate, fundamental frequency, and burst density. Results indicate that no single parameter was entirely responsible for determining auditory similarity, but temporal characteristics were most salient. These findings suggest that designers intending to ensure perceptual separation between differentially mapped sounds should manipulate temporal characteristics before frequency or burst density.
Real Time Research Methods
Authors: Weiland Monica Z. , Roberts Daniel M. , Fine Michael S. , Caywood Matthew S.
Published: October 2013

For the FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), the ability to reliably measure the effects of automation changes or new task demands on controller/pilot workload and performance is critical. Much of the EEG research has focused on identifying specific cognitive states associated with levels of workload during post processing. However, there are potential benefits for researchers to having EEG results as a continuous measure that can be observed during simulation experiments. This demonstration is a workload gauge that processes EEG data in real time as the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) participant is performing basic cognitive and operational ATC tasks. The visualizations demonstrated are also available during post processing to enable investigation of the continuous relationships between ATC situational variables, controller performance, and EEG.
Development of a More Universal Voting Interface
Authors: Lee Seunghyun Tina , Liu Yilin Elaine , Xiong Xiao , Sanford Jon
Published: October 2013

Voting systems must be usable by all eligible voters regardless of their skills, abilities, and experiences. However, current voting systems do not provide accessibility to all voters, including those with physical and cognitive limitations. To make voting easier for people with and without disabilities, we developed a universal voting interface that integrates a simplified and flexible ballot design that includes multimodal I/O interfaces. The formative usability study results demonstrate people with various types of disabilities could perform the voting tasks on EZ Ballot using their preferred input. In order to refine the EZ Ballot interface, the study found the specific issues on design such as instruction, selection of candidates, confusion about going back, incorrect gestural interaction, and write-in interface.
User Workflow Centered Design
Authors: Zheng Xianjun Sam , Filho Roberto Silva , Costa Jean M. R. , Song Xiping
Published: October 2013

Software systems are often built in a tool-centric fashion, providing hierarchical functional groups simultaneously to a user, and the user needs to find and select the right tools to use based on his/her current task needs. Even though this design approach provides some flexibility for the user, it fails to address the needs of the workflow support. Indeed, when such software is used in complex, dynamic, and stressful working domains, users are often overwhelmed and struggling to find the right functionality and data for their time sensitive tasks. Here, we report our experience of applying the user workflow centered design (UWCD) method for redesigning a tool-centric software system in medical intervention. We elaborate the UWCD process from capturing, documenting, and to modeling user workflow information. The user workflow model is then used to derive a user interface (UI) solution with the goal to “provide the right data and functionality to the right user at the right time”. We show that the new design can more effectively support users’ work in term of function selection and task switching as measured by time.
Holding A Tablet Computer With One Hand
Authors: Pereira Anna , Miller Tevis , Huang Yi-Min , Odell Dan , Rempel David
Published: October 2013

Tablets computers are being rapidly adopted in commercial and home settings. However, there are no guidelines on design features of tablets to optimize usability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tablet size, weight, orientation, grip shape, texture, and stylus shape on productivity, usability, and biomechanics when the tablet is held with just the left hand. Thirty subjects tested eight tablets and three styluses. Overall, the usability, fatigue and biomechanical evaluation of tablet design features supported the use of smaller to medium sized tablets, with a ledge or handle shape on the back and surfaced with a rubberized texture. Larger tablets had significantly worse usability and biomechanics. The stylus with a tapered grip (7.5-9.5 mm) or larger grip (7.6 mm) had better usability and biomechanics than one with a smaller grip (5 mm). These design parameters may be important when designing tablets that will be held with one hand.
Ergonomic Design and Evaluation of a Pilot Oxygen Mask
Authors: Lee Wonsup , Kim Heeeun , Jung Daehan , Park Seikwon , You Heecheon
Published: October 2013

The present study developed a virtual fit assessment (VFA) method to design an oxygen mask which fits Korean Air Force (KAF) pilots. The VFA method used 3D face scan data of 336 KAF pilots to find the most proper shape of an oxygen mask for KAF pilots. The oxygen mask design revised in the study showed a 27% design improvement effect on average in terms of fit evaluated by the VFA method. Additionally, the present study evaluated the revised oxygen mask prototypes with 88 KAF pilots to experimentally verify the design improvement effect in terms of discomfort, pressure, and suitability for military equipment (slippage and stability in flight-like situations). The discomfort of the revised mask was 33 ~ 56% lower on average than the existing oxygen mask. In terms of the pressure, the revised mask showed 11 ~ 33% of improvement on average compared to the existing mask. Furthermore, on high gravity situation, the slippage distance of the revised mask was 24% shorter on average than the existing mask. The proposed VFA method can be applied to the design and evaluation of wearable products that require an ergonomically better fit for a target population.
Self-Reporting of Firefighter Vital Signs in Emergency Situations
Authors: Harrington Christina , Brown Mike , Wang Lulu , Joines Sharon
Published: October 2013

The focus of this research study was to address the issues of firefighter safety awareness and personnel management. This team aimed to concentrate on monitoring firefighter vital signs identified as critical during emergency situations. The major objective was to design a device that not only meets industry regulations but supplements current standard equipment. Market and literature reviews informed an in-depth look into injury prevention and hazard recognition in the firefighting profession. This design process included identifying key areas for possible design intervention through in-person interviews, ideations of solutions, concept refinement and prototyping, as well as usability testing. As a result, a design recommendation is made with future testing suggested.
Warnings, Anti-Warnings, and Pacifiers
Authors: Ayres Thomas
Published: October 2013

Warnings can play an important part in safety through informing people about hazards and encouraging safe behavior. The effectiveness of warnings, however, can be reduced by contrary messages that counteract the safety information. This paper reviews empirical support and challenges for understanding the effects of contrary messages, including messages that are intended to influence risk perception and behavior (anti-warnings) as well as those that do not proceed from such intentions (pacifiers).
Evaluating the Interactive Social-Cognitive Model for Explaining Non-Compliance to a Disaster Warning
Authors: O’Brien Marita A. , Shreeves Michael
Published: October 2013

Limited research has been conducted to evaluate how effective design increases compliance with disaster warnings. The Interactive Social-Cognitive Model (ISC) was developed to describe social-cognitive factors that influence compliance to warnings, but it has not been empirically tested (Kalsher & Williams, 2006). The present study examines factors proposed in the ISC to assess one resident’s non-compliance to a tornado warning. Systematic analysis suggests that general cognitive factors such as the resident’s job responsibility, prior experience, and normalcy bias were more critical to the non-compliance decision than social factors alone; however, social factors suggest opportunities for modifying the perceived context to motivate compliance. Discussion of these factors proposes opportunities for designing response strategies and safe places that invite and positively reinforce compliance disaster warnings by many residents.
Performance Metrics for Evaluating Petro-chemical Control Room Displays
Authors: Koffskey Christina , Ikuma Laura H. , Harvey Craig
Published: October 2013

The petro-chemical industry relies on control room operators to manage safety-critical processes through complex displays. The goal of the current paper is to evaluate displays used by petrochemical industry control room operators by measuring performance through speed and accuracy to distinguish between two displays. The two displays represented a “state-of-the-art” display and a poor display. Speed and accuracy were measured in regard to actions involved in alarm management of a simulated crude refining unit at three workload levels – easy, medium, and hard. Operators were significantly slower and less accurate on the poor interface than the good interface. Speed progressively got slower from easy to medium to hard workload levels. Speed and accuracy as indicators of performance were able to differentiate between two significantly different displays. These two metrics represent the initial stages of developing a set of tools the petro-chemical industry can use to evaluate operator interface designs.
A Student and Early Career Professional Perspective of Human Factors Career Options
Authors: Neilson Brittany , Proaps Alex , Smith Dustin , Tharanathan Anand , Werner Nicole
Published: October 2013

The goal of this panel is to facilitate a discussion among current students and recent graduates about their decision-making process in choosing one of the three main sectors in human factors as a career: academia, government, and industry. Panelists will present their relevant academic and applied experiences and describe how theses experiences shaped their career path. Major themes of the panel will include a student perspective on the increasing interest in industry as opposed to academia among individuals pursuing a career in human factors and how this may affect future education and training of human factors professionals.
The Effects of Reminder Type and Anticipatory Interval on Prospective Memory
Authors: Cartee Natalee , Fink Nicole , Pak Richard
Published: October 2013

Prospective memory (PM) failures (or failures to remember a future intention) can result in a wide range of negative consequences. The use of reminders has been shown to improve the rate of PM successes. The current study aims to examine the effectiveness of reminders based on their type (picture or text) and their timing. We hypothesize that successful PM performance will be maintained over longer anticipatory intervals when paired with picture reminders rather than with text reminders.
The effect of information access cost and overconfidence bias on junior doctors’ pre-handover performance
Authors: Yang Xi , Park Taezoon , Wickens Christopher D. , Siah Kewin Tien Ho , Fong Liesel , Yin Shan Qing
Published: October 2013

This paper examined the effect of information access cost and overconfidence bias on doctors’ information retrieval strategies and performances during pre-handover. Sixteen medical residents participated in a simulated experiment, where they studied four patient cases and later on completed recall and recognition questions. The results showed that an increase in information access cost led to less information access attempts and poorer pre-handover performance. Further, there was an interaction between information access cost and overconfidence on pre-handover performance. When information access cost was high, overconfidence contributed to poor pre-handover performance.
Cross-modal matching
Authors: Pitts Brandon J. , Lu Sara A. , Sarter Nadine B.
Published: October 2013

Research in the area of multimodal displays and information processing has reported several benefits of distributing information across multiple sensory channels (vision, audition, and touch, in particular). However, with few exceptions, studies on multimodal information processing involve the potential risk of confounding modality with other factors, such as salience, because no cross-modal matching is being performed prior to experiments. To date, no agreed-upon cross-modal matching method has been developed. The goal of our research is to develop and compare the feasibility and validity of various approaches. In this paper, we present the findings for one particular technique that employs cue adjustments and bidirectional matches. Six participants were asked to perform a series of 216 matching tasks for combinations of cues in vision, audition and touch. The results show that participants’ matches differed from one another, were inconsistent across trials, and were also a function of the intensity level of the initial cue. The findings from this research further highlight the need for careful matching of multimodal cues in research on multisensory information processing and will result in refinements of the proposed technique.
Decision-Making and Information Use Among Residents During an Extended Natural Disaster
Authors: Shreeves Michael , O’Brien Marita A.
Published: October 2013

Government agencies are increasingly partnering with social scientists to understand how individuals behave during natural disasters. The April 27th, 2011 tornado outbreak and an ensuing week-long power outage in Madison County, AL presented a unique opportunity to examine resident behavior in an otherwise habitable extended disaster scenario. Ten county residents were interviewed to understand their experiences during this period. Interviews were analyzed for decision-making and information use. Residents displayed novice decision-making, relying heavily on external cues. Peers and local media were the most common sources of external information, and local radio was the most important and versatile information channel. Knowledge in the head was linked to prior knowledge of the area and beliefs about information sources. Our findings suggested that residents have complex, well-developed skills for acquiring information in novel situations, and that long-term community residency provides experience that is valuable in disaster response. Innovative systems to provide disaster information should include cues that facilitate use of this knowledge by long-term residents.
Comparing the Performance, Workload, and Usability of a Gamepad and Joystick in a Complex Task
Authors: Rupp Michael A. , Oppold Paul , McConnell Daniel S.
Published: October 2013

Complex human system interface systems such as unmanned vehicles utilize controls that range from standard joystick and keyboard interfaces to Xbox controllers. However, few research studies have been conducted to compare Xbox controllers with other types of interfaces, showing mixed results between those controllers. The current study compared the performance of a joystick and keyboard interface with that of an Xbox controller in both a low and high difficulty task. The results indicate that the Xbox controller had lower tracking errors and trended to lower workload and a slightly higher usability score as measured by the system usability scale (SUS). An interaction between difficulty and controller was not found, however allowing for a longer practice time with the interfaces may have shown significant differences which are planned in a future study. Overall these results indicate favorable results that an Xbox controller may be a viable control interface for complex human system interaction tasks.
Drivers’ Mental Workload In Agricultural Semi-Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Bashiri Behzad , Mann Danny D.
Published: October 2013

Drivers’ mental workload when using driving assistant systems and in-vehicle automation has been the subject of many studies in recent years. Drivers of semi-autonomous agricultural vehicles are experiencing an increasing number of automated systems. Due to implications of automation support on the operators’ performance, a human factors perspective is needed to identify the consequences of such automated systems. In this simulator study, the effects of vehicle steering and implement monitoring and control automation were investigated using a tractor air-seeder system as a case study. Experiments were conducted using the tractor air-seeder driving simulator (TAS-DS) located in the Agricultural Ergonomics Laboratory at the University of Manitoba. Study participants were university students with tractor driving experience. Based on the results from the experiment, most of the automation conditions impose moderate levels of mental workload on operators. Implement monitoring and control automation show significant effect on the drivers’ mental workload, contrary to the steering automation.
Temporary Barriers to Reduce the Effects of Rubbernecking
Authors: Colon Nicholas P. , Rupp Michael A. , Mouloua Mustapha
Published: October 2013

Driver distraction is an area of research which concerns both public safety and research. Much work has been completed on distractions inside the vehicle; however, distracting scenarios outside of the vehicle can garner visual attention away from driving as well. Occasionally drivers passing a traffic crash will be involved in the crash themselves, due to rubbernecking. To combat this problem one solution is to obscure the scene from view. We empirically examined the efficacy of crash barriers on both eye movements and human per-formance in regards to driver behavior. Participants drove in a simulator in three separate drives (two control drives and one with a highly salient traffic crash) with either no occlusion, partial occlusion or full occlusion. Significant effects of distraction (crash vs. no crash) were found. In addition, the full barrier occlusion had the biggest effect on decreasing the amount of time participants spend looking at the crash.
Conceptual Development of a Lateral Control Device for Road Vehicles
Authors: Guerster Rene L.
Published: October 2013

In this paper a concept for an innovative lateral control device for road vehicles is proposed. The goal of this design is to potentially improve driver safety by permitting the operator of a vehicle to maintain a constant hand position on the device at all times. The paper provides a brief review of the history of steering means in automobiles and proposes a control device that takes advantage of modern electrical and computational capability. Recommendations for its configuration and the associated technology required for its use in modern automobiles are presented. The paper concludes with a suggested protocol for the testing of this system and the further research required in order to enhance its commercial feasibility.
Police Officer Discomfort and Activity Characterization During a Day Shift and a Night Shift
Authors: Girouard Michelle M. , Rae Michelle M. , Croll James , Callaghan Jack P. , McKinnon Colin D. , Albert Wayne J.
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this study was to identify occupational and car seat features causing discomfort in patrol officers, and to determine which body parts were experiencing the most discomfort. A Seat Features and Occupational Components Questionnaire, based on a 0 to 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), revealed that the duty belt was the occupational gear causing the most discomfort, followed by computer use within the car. The seat lumbar support was the seat feature causing the most discomfort. A Body Part Discomfort Questionnaire was administered at the beginning of the shift (T1), after six hours (T6), and at the end of the twelve hour shift (T12), for both day and night shifts. There were no significant differences in body part discomfort between the two types of shifts. There were, however, significant increases in body part discomfort ratings over the course of the working day, especially on the right side of the body. While some body parts experienced a significant increase in discomfort between the T1 and T6 (i.e., the neck, left upper back, right buttocks), some body parts only had a significant increase in discomfort after six hours (i.e., the lower back and mid back). The two body parts that experienced the highest levels of discomfort were the neck and lower back. A secondary purpose of the study was to identify the frequency of the activities that occur within the car. The largest portion of the workday and night were spent outside of the vehicle (46.1±10.8 % during the day, and 43.5±14.9% during the night). Left-handed driving occupied the most time in the car (26.3±10.1% during the day, and 25.7 ± 8.6% at night). A reduced or reconfigured duty belt, as well as decreased time spent in the car (doing paper work, computer work, and driving), could help decrease discomfort levels.
An Exploration of Robot Builders’ Attachment to Their LEGO Robots
Authors: Huang Lixiao , Varnado Terri , Gillan Douglas
Published: October 2013

This research explored the emotional attachment that students might develop towards robots that they built in a 2-month period, as well as the factors that contributed to their emotions towards the robots. The research studied 16 students enrolled in the robotics class in the fall 2012 semester who completed a specially-designed questionnaire. The results showed that students had strong positive emotions towards their robots. However, the students differed from typical attachment in that they had low avoidance or anxiety related to loss of the robot. In open-ended responses on the questionnaire students indicated that they would feel sad dismantling their robots, but they rationally reported the robots could be rebuilt. Reflective journal data showed that they enjoyed the building process greatly, especially when they solved challenging problems. The data suggested that students’ affection for their robots was not attachment as is typically defined in human-human or human-pet relations. Limitations and further research directions were included.
Practices of Teaching Problem Solving Skills in Robotics Education
Authors: Huang Lixiao , Varnado Terri , Gillan Douglas
Published: October 2013

The present paper presents the practices of teaching problem solving skills in robotics education using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT at a college level. The fundamentals, the components, and the main course design were introduced in the paper. Problem solving log data were collected from 16 undergraduate students enrolled in this course during the first eight weeks of the course. The data showed that lack of knowledge/understanding was the main cause of problems students encountered. Students most frequently used technical manuals to gather information, and used analysis to process knowledge, and mainly used trial and error to solve problems when they encountered them. Practical applications and implications were included.
New Insights Into the Detrimental Effects of Peer Passengers on Teen Drivers
Authors: LaVoie Noelle , Lee Yi-Ching , Parker James , Winston Flaura
Published: October 2013

This paper describes the results of a mixed methods approach to investigate the impact of peer social situations on teen drivers. Research has demonstrated that peer passengers have a detrimental effect on teen drivers, leading to a substantial increase in crash rates when teens are driving with passengers versus driving alone. Specific aspects of the driver and passenger, such as gender, may lead to increased or decreased crash risks. However, these data are often inconsistent, suggesting that additional variables are involved. We posit that teens lack the necessary experience managing complex social skills to adequately handle a peer passenger while driving. Further, evidence from interviews and surveys of teen drivers suggests that this may help to account for the dramatic increase in crash risk observed when a teen drives with multiple peer passengers.
How many drinks does it take? Perceptions of risk associated with drinking, driving, and engaging in common activities
Authors: Burhans Charles G. , Frantz J. Paul , Rhoades Timothy P. , Fuller Helen J.A. , Schanski Robert M.
Published: October 2013

How many drinks does it take? This study asked participants how many drinks it would take to reach a legal limit of 0.08% BAC and what number of drinks they would need to have before they no longer felt safe supervising a child, swimming, bicycling, driving, and walking. Eighty-eight college students with a mean age of 21.7 years responded to a series of questions based on nationwide studies of traffic safety culture and drinking and driving attitudes conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the American Automobile Association (AAA). In addition, quantitative and qualitative estimates of participants’ perceptions of drinking and driving risks at different BAC levels were collected, categorized, and compared to traffic data.
Variations in Road Conditions on Driver Stress
Authors: Miller Erika E. , Boyle Linda Ng
Published: October 2013

A number of studies have used heart rate variability (HRV) measures to estimate driver stress across different driving conditions. Understanding the constructs of driver stress can provide insights regarding the underlying reasons for safety-critical events. The intent of this study is to evaluate the electrocardiogram (ECG) activities of drivers along a pre-defined route with varying roadway conditions. Heart rate, standard deviation of selected RR interval series (SDNN) and low frequency to high frequency ratio (LF/HF) were examined. An examination of short interval stress at evenly distributed points along the route indicates that some impact was detected from long duration driving and the statistical model was adjusted accordingly to reflect this. The findings suggest that temporal and frequency domain parameters generated similar characteristics regardless of the direction of travel (clockwise or counterclockwise direction). That is, these two parameters provided fairly consistent outcomes regarding driver workload. However, heart rate was not as good an indicator suggesting that this measure may be picking up some other unexplained effects.