bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gap and Curvature: Two Promising Three-Dimensional Emergent Features Displays
Authors: Dryer David A. , Stanney Kay M.
Published: January 2012

In this study two three-dimensional information displays were designed and tested which could provide alternative display formats to traditional two-dimensional bar graphs. The intent was to design displays that supported both low level focused attention tasks and high level integration of information. The proposed display representations were generated, based on perceptual emergent features theories, in the form of a curvature and gap display. An empirical comparison of the three-dimensional displays versus a two-dimensional bar graph indicated marginally enhanced performance for both focused attention and integrated tasks when using the curvature and gap displays. The novelty of the three-dimensional displays was suggested to contribute to a learning effect which was may have reduced the reliability of the results. Future research should examine similar displays with extended sessions to overcome this learning effect.
Integrated Display for Supervisory Control of Space Operations
Authors: Schreckenghost Debra , Thronesbery Carroll
Published: January 2012

In recent years, intelligent software has been applied for monitoring and controlling space systems to reduce the workload of the crew and ground support personnel. The application of intelligent software to system control changes the human role in space operations. Instead of directly performing control tasks, humans now often supervise automated software performing control tasks. We have designed an integrated overview display supporting supervisory monitoring and control tasks. This design provides a view of control information integrated over time, supporting a supervisor in following a thread of operational information extending from the past into the future. It associates control activities with the resulting consequences of control on the environment and system configuration. And it provides a uniform way to access and display a heterogeneous set of archived information characterizing system control.
Pointing Device Performance for Laptop Computers
Authors: Batra Sanjay , Dykstra Dean , Hsu Peter , Radle Karla A. , Wiedenbeck Susan
Published: January 2012

In this study, we compared the performance of: stick point, touch pad, and trackball pointing devices integrated with laptop computers. Sixteen subjects performed three tasks: point and click, text selection, and box sizing, using all three pointing devices. Performance was measured using time and error data, along with subjective preference and ergonomic discomfort ratings. The time, error, and subjective preference data indicate that the stick point performed consistently worse than the other two devices. The touch pad and trackball had similar performance with a slight advantage to the trackball because it had better error performance. The results indicate that the stick point is not as well suited for a laptop input device as is the touch pad and trackball.
A Fuzzy Set Approach in the Quantification of Technical Support Service Quality
Authors: Rao Sridevi S. , Eberts Ray , Thomas M.U. , Plante Robert
Published: January 2012

Consumers' perceptions of service quality are highly qualitative as well as subjective. Individual variation exists in the meaning of “low,” “medium,” or “high” levels of service quality. A framework for quantifying the service quality dimension levels for technical support service is presented in the current study. Results are combined with the utility values of the dimension levels obtained through conjoint analysis. Customers' behavioral intentions subsequent to the quality of the technical support they experience are also found empirically. The methodology presented in this research can be used in improving the comprehensibility and quantification of service quality.
Consumers' Expectations of the Densities of Portable Communication Devices
Authors: Volaitis Lydia , Chou Rulie , Wiklund Michael
Published: January 2012

Each year, portable devices used for communication seem to be getting smaller and lighter. Presuming that displays will remain legible and buttons can be pressed reliably, continued size reduction seems to be a worthy objective. After all, consumers logically prefer devices that fit in a jacket pocket or pocketbook over those that must be stowed in a briefcase. But, are concomitant weight reductions a good thing? To answer this question, we experimented with three-dimensional, block models of pagers, cell phones, and two-way radios. Specifically, we made five block models of each type of product, varying the weight, and consequently, the density, of each model over a selected range. We asked participants to rate the expected density, durability, and quality of the models, relative to the actual devices. One objective was to see if consumers preferred products with roughly the same density (i.e., volume-to-weight ratio), or if the type of product (i.e., pager, phone, or radio) would lead people to prefer different densities. Another objective was to determine how density influenced perceptions of product quality and durability.
Grid of Attributes Method: A Configurational Model to Evaluate Bus Shelters
Authors: Ely Vera Helena Moro Bins , Turkienicz Benamy , Gontijo Leila Amaral
Published: January 2012

This work comprises an evaluation of the waiting conditions of the users of the Public Transportation System at bus stop shelters. By observing the users'positioning it was possible to define physical factors - denominated “attributes” - that are considered of major importance for their comfort. For such, the Grid of Attributes Method was developed based on a configurational model which was able to simultaneously represent in the object both the attributes and the users'behavior. The data represented in the graphic environment of the method have been transported to an alphanumeric environment, thus allowing the statistic gauging of the behavior frequency and its correlation with the attributes. The statistical results of the method's application indicate a possible hierarchy among studied attributes and their correlations with the object's design.
PCS For Families: A Case Study in the Participatory Design of a Technology-Rich Elementary School Classroom
Authors: McCreary Faith , Reaux Ray , Ehrich Roger , Hood Susan , Rowland Keith
Published: January 2012

Computers and network connectivity in the classroom raise new challenges in workspace design. Unlike corporate or dedicated laboratory facilities, a technology-rich classroom plays multiple roles throughout its working day. Classroom design demands flexible and robust construction, particularly when applied in an elementary school setting. Using the PCs for Families project as a case study, this paper discusses design issues of a technology-rich networked classroom from ergonomic design to system support.
Relevance and Representativeness in HFE Research
Authors: Meister David
Published: January 2012

As part of a continuing program of research into HFE research characteristics (Meister, 1997), papers published in the 1996 and 1997 HFES Proceedings were analyzed in terms of two constructs: relevance and representativeness. These are of course evaluative criteria, and there may be those who believe that the evaluation of research is unwarranted, because the only research obligation is to add to the science knowledge base. This criterion, however, does not discriminate between good and poor research, unless one believes that all research, however trivial, is worthwhile.
Recognition of Emotions as a Function of Display Type, Emotion and Presentation Style
Authors: Bliss James P. , Tidwell Philip D. , Lyde Cynthia L. , Lockett Jan , Weathington Barton L. , Loftin R. Bowen
Published: January 2012

In recent situations such as Bosnia and Haiti, the failure of soldiers to interpret cultural expression has led to embarrassing and potentially dangerous situations. The current research represents an evaluation of virtual reality as a display medium for emotion recognition training. The research utilized a 3 × 3 × 6 mixed research design. Forty-eight undergraduates from the University of Houston viewed a human model that presented facial, gestural, and combined (facial and gestural) emotional expressions by means of a helmet-mounted display, monitor, or set of photographs. Participants then described and labeled the expressed emotions. Participants were equally accurate identifying emotions across presentation media, but recognized certain emotions more readily than others across presentation conditions. This research suggests that virtual environments may be effectively used to train cultural display recognition skills.
Cross-Industry Performance Modeling: Toward Cooperative Analysis
Authors: Reece Wendy J. , Blackman Harold S.
Published: January 2012

One of the current unsolved problems in human factors is the difficulty in acquiring information from lessons learned and data collected among human performance analysts in different domains. There are several common concerns and generally accepted issues of importance for human factors, psychology and industry analysts of performance and safety. Among these are the need to incorporate lessons learned in design, to carefully consider implementation of new designs and automation, and the need to reduce human performance-based contributions to risk. In spite of shared concerns, there are several roadblocks to widespread sharing of data and lessons learned from operating experience and simulation, including the fact that very few publicly accessible data bases exist (Gertman & Blackman, 1994, and Kirwan, 1997). There is a need to draw together analysts and analytic methodologies to comprise a centralized source of data with sufficient detail to be meaningful while ensuring source anonymity. We propose that a generic source of performance data and a multi-domain data store may provide the first steps toward cooperative performance modeling and analysis across industries.
Effects of a Data Reduction Technique on Anthropometric Accommodation
Authors: Meunier Pierre
Published: January 2012

Multivariate data reduction techniques such as principal components analysis (PCA), offer the potential of simplifying the task of designing and evaluating workspaces for anthropometric accommodation of the user population. Simplification occurs by reducing the number of variables that one has to consider while retaining most, e.g. 89%, of the original dataset's variability. The error introduced by choosing to ignore some (11%) of the variability is examined in this paper. A set of eight design mannequins was generated using a data reduction method developed for MIL-STD-1776A. These mannequins, which were located on the periphery of a circle encompassing 90%, 95% and 99% of the population on two principal components, were compared with the true multivariate 90%, 95% and 99% of the population. The PCA mannequins were found to include less of the population than originally intended. The degree to which the mannequins included the true percentage of the population was found to depend mainly on the size of the initial envelope (larger envelopes were closer to the true accommodation limits). The paper also discusses some of the limitations of using limited numbers of test cases to predict population accommodation.
The Problems of Nuclear Power are Much Too Serious to Leave to Nuclear Experts
Authors: Munipov Vladimir
Published: January 2012

The full story of the Chernobyl disaster is yet to be disclosed. The initial cause of the accident was a very unlikely violation of the operating procedure and conditions by the plant personnel which showed the design faults of the reactor and the control and protection system rods. The main or root cause of the accident was the inadequate design of the user-machine interaction. Many people involved with the reliability and safety of Nuclear Power Plants now believe that even if the operators had acted correctly their actions would have resulted in the explosion. The main lesson from the Chernobyl accident is that the Nuclear Age calls for a new culture and and can certainly not tolerate ignorance. Chernobyl is a severe warning of what can happen if people disregard the necessity of including ergonomics in the process of designing and operating complex technical facilities.
An Automated Test Battery for Advanced Aviator Assessment
Authors: Kennedy Robert S. , Lane Norman E. , Drexler Julie M. , Bramble William J.
Published: January 2012

A study was conducted to determine whether a number of computerized tests would add new variance to a paper-and-pencil selection battery, the U.S. Navy's Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB). The computerized tests came from three different domains: 1) cognitive tests; 2) temporal acuity (visual temporal information processing) tests; and 3) psychomotor tests including video games. These tests were all written in “C” and had been validated against simulated aviation and space shuttle landing tasks. Data were collected on 120 aviation candidates. Analyses indicated that: a) Tests in the new automated battery were generally of adequate to high reliability; b) Correlations between the automated battery and ASTB variables were, with a few exceptions, not large but in the expected directions, suggesting that tests in the automated battery do not duplicate the variance measured by the ASTB, and could thus potentially augment the predictive power of the ASTB; and c) Relationships among the Spatial Apperception Test (SAT) of the ATSB and several of the temporal acuity tests indicate that temporal factors may be involved in SAT performance. At the same time, there is considerable reliable variance unique to each domain, again implying the potential for augmentation of the ASTB by measures from the automated battery.
Focused Attention in the Context of Irrelevant Speech
Authors: Smith-Jackson Tonya
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine individual differences in focused attention and the influence of these differences on verbal task performance under conditions in which irrelevant speech was present. Subjective workload was also examined (using the NASA TLX, Hart and Staveland, 1984). Fifty-four participants performed three editing task trials under quiet, discontinuous, and continuous speech conditions. The Task Absorption subscale of the Expanded Tellegen Absorption Scale (Jackson, Klein, Reeth, and Waters, 1997) was also administered. Significant differences were found within conditions between High and Low Task Absorbers. The importance of focused attention in the open-plan office is discussed.
General Ability, Conscientiousness, and Stability as Predictors of Regional Airline First Officer Job Performance
Authors: Bramble William J.
Published: January 2012

General ability, conscientiousness, and stability were evaluated as predictors of first officer (FO) job performance. Predictive variables were measured using the Prevue Assessment (Bartram, 1994) during a pre-employment screening process. Job performance was assessed later, using behaviorally-anchored rating scales (Bramble, 1997). Ratings were made by fellow crewmembers (airline captains). Analysis of the rating data yielded two orthogonal factors, a “proficiency” factor and an “interpersonal” factor. Factor loadings were used to generate two composite performance measures for each FO. Stability was the only predictor, which correlated significantly with either composite measure. Pilots who were more emotionally stable achieved higher scores on the proficiency measure ( r = .33, p = .006). The correlation between general ability and the interpersonal performance measure approached significance ( r = .22, p = .071) but did not exceed the traditional criterion ( p < .05). Implications for commercial pilot selection are discussed.
Effects of VDT Viewing Angle on User Biomechanics, Comfort, and Preference
Authors: Sommerich Carolyn M. , Joines Sharon M. B. , Psihogios Jennie P.
Published: January 2012

A study was conducted to characterize effects of computer monitor viewing angle on operators. The study was conducted in two phases: controlled laboratory experiment followed by field verification. Lab results are discussed here. Three viewing angles were studied: 0, -17.5, and -35 deg to center of screen. Effects of monitor size and keyboard familiarity were also investigated. Muscle activity, body posture, visual acuity, performance, discomfort, and preference data were collected. In general, muscle activity was greater at -35 deg than at 0 deg; and greater for a smaller monitor than a larger one. Only head postures were affected by viewing angle. The eye-ear line was angled higher for touch typists. Mousing performance slowed slightly at 0 deg. Subjects preferred the -17.5 deg angle most and the -35 deg angle least. Results suggest there could be benefits to using a larger monitor with viewing angle between -17.5 to 0 deg for screen-intensive work.
Is Changing Box Weight an Effective Ergonomic Control?
Authors: Davis Kermit G. , Marras William S.
Published: January 2012

With the rising costs of low back injuries, one low cost ergonomic solution would be to reduce the weight. But, limited research has investigated how the worker interacts with the box. This study evaluated how lifting different box weights effects the trunk kinematics, horizontal moment arm, and resulting spinal loads. Fifteen participants lifted a box weighing 9.1, 11.8, 14.5, 17.2, 20.0, 29.9, 32.7, 35.4, 38.1, and 41.7 kg., from knee height, carried it a distance of five feet, and placed it on a shelf at elbow height. The present study quantifies the utility of reducing the weight lifted. Small changes in weight were found to only slightly influence the trunk kinematics and spinal loads. The accuracy of the spinal load estimates were found to be influenced by the trunk dynamics and changes in horizontal moment arm, especially for the lighter weights evaluated in this study. These results can be used to establish potential weight limits to assist in the ergonomic redesign of a manual material handling task.
Dynamic Shoulder Loads in Reaching and Materials Handling Tasks
Authors: Chaffin Don B. , Georgi Christopher , Baker Gerri , Nussbaum Maury
Published: January 2012

This presentation describes the dynamic shoulder moments and peak strength requirements resulting from the performance of typical arm reach and materials handling tasks. It is shown by a dynamic biomechanical analysis that normal right arm reaches to the glove box or passenger door in a vehicle will cause peak moment loads sufficient to exceed the expected strengths of some drivers, particularly women. Using a similar biomechanical analysis of lifting and lowering 10 Kg and 20 Kg loads (both manually and with mechanical assistive devices) the peak strength requirements on both shoulders would exceed about one-third of women's capabilities (particularly when attempting to move the load with a large articulated balance arm device). It is concluded that such tasks are quite stressful to the shoulder musculoskeletal system, and should be given greater attention in job and vehicle ergonomic studies and modeling activities.
The Influence of Knife Sharpness on Poultry Processing Operator Exertions and the Effectiveness of Re-Sharpening
Authors: Szabo Richard L. , Radwin Robert G. , Henderson Chris J.
Published: January 2012

A procedure is described to establish knife-sharpening schedules for poultry and meat-processing operations based on increased force due to knife dullness from repetitive use. Knife sharpness was quantified using a novel apparatus described in this paper that measures the area cut by a knife into a carrageenan gel target for a controlled load at the handle. Two meat-cleaning jobs in a poultry-processing plant were analyzed. One job required significantly more force and a greater number of cuts than the other. Eight experienced operators participated in the study. Four fresh ground and honed knives were randomly used by each operator for 4, 45, 75 or 125 cutting cycles. An empirical model of knife dulling and re-sharpening was developed, and the corresponding increase in force was predicted for various cutting and re-sharpening frequencies. The model showed that it took 57 and 125 cutting cycles for the high and low force jobs respectively to achieve a similar reduction in target surface area of 30%. This reduction in target surface area corresponds to a similar percent increase in force needed for the same cut in carrageenan gel as compared to a fresh knife.
Clinical Assessment of Electromagnetic Compatibility of Hearing Aids and Digital Wireless Phones
Authors: Schlegel Robert E. , Srinivasan Shalini , Grant Hank , Shehab Randa L. , Raman Shivakumar
Published: January 2012

Research studies have shown that digital wireless phones interact with some hearing aids, creating a buzzing noise that may reduce speech intelligibility. Interference signals for three phone technologies were generated at five sound pressure levels (35 dB, 45 dB, 55 dB, 65 dB, and 75 dB) and mixed with speech at 65 dB SPL to test the speech intelligibility of 24 hearing-impaired people. A “No Noise” condition was also tested. Scores for the TDMA-217 Hz phone signal at low speech-to-noise ratios (<10 dB) were significantly lower than those for CDMA and TDMA-50 Hz at the same level. The CDMA and TDMA-50 Hz phone signals had a similar effect on speech intelligibility. Speech intelligibility scores at speech-to-noise ratios of 20 dB and 30 dB were similar to those for the “No Noise” condition. The articulation index represented the best index for predicting the impact of wireless phone interference on speech intelligibility.
Human Error in Patient-Controlled Analgesia: Incident Reports and Experimental Evaluation
Authors: Lin Laura
Published: January 2012

Human error is often cited as the most common cause of medical device mishaps. The role that a poorly designed user interface plays in precipitating these errors is infrequently acknowledged. This study focused on the Abbott PCA Infuser, a commonly used medical device. A review of FDA incident reports showed that human error is responsible for 68% of fatalities and serious injuries associated with the Abbott PCA. We sought to demonstrate that the incidence of human error can be significantly reduced through a human factors approach to interface design. A redesigned interface was developed, then empirically evaluated with a group of recovery room nurses, experienced PCA users. The results of the evaluations showed a 55% reduction in errors, an 18% improvement in performance time, a 14% reduction in mental workload, and a strong preference by nurses for the redesigned interface. These findings demonstrate that quantifiable improvements in equipment safety and efficiency can be achieved by adopting a human factors approach to interface design.
Intended Carefulness for Voiced Warning Signal Words
Authors: Barzegar Rana S. , Wogalter Michael S.
Published: January 2012

Design standards for print warnings (e.g., signs and labels) recommend the use of signal words to convey the presence and level of a hazard. However, very little research has been conducted on the use of signal words presented auditorily. In the present study, 43 voiced signal words were examined as a function of several factors: voice style (monotone, emotional, whisper), sound level (low, high), participant group (college students, community volunteers) and gender of the speaker and the participant. Results indicated that auditory presentation yielded a pattern of connoted hazard levels (ratings of intended carefulness) similar to previous research using visual presentation. Emotional voicing produced significantly higher carefulness ratings than monotone or whisper voicing (with overall sound level held constant). Female speakers produced significantly higher carefulness ratings than male speakers. Implications for the design of speech warnings are discussed.
Tire Rim Mismatch Explosions: The Role of On-Product Warnings
Authors: Laughery Kenneth R. , Laughery Keith A. , Lovvoll David R.
Published: January 2012

Three field studies were carried out to evaluate the potential effectiveness of good on-product size and warning information in preventing 16 inch tire and 16.5 inch rim mismatch accidents. In the first study a 16 inch tire, a 16.5 inch tire, a 16 inch rim and a 16.5 inch rim were taken to service stations where employees were requested to mount the tires. The 16 inch tire contained a tread label warning and a warning label was located in the drop center of the 16.5 inch rim. The rims also contained size stamping information. At the 27 stations visited, 5 employees started to mount the 16 inch tire on the 16.5 inch rim and 3 started to mount the 16.5 inch tire on the 16 inch rim. All others would have mounted correctly matched tires and rims. The second study consisted of taking a 16 inch tire and 16.5 inch rim to 28 service stations to be mounted. At 18 stations a label containing size and warning information was on the rim. At 10 of these stations the employee refused to mount the tire. As a control, the same tire and rim were taken to 10 stations without the rim warning, and the employees at 9 of these stations proceeded to begin the mounting task. In Study 3 a printed warning label intended for the sidewall of 16 inch tires was shown to 23 service station employees who were asked to read the label and assume they had read it on a tire sidewall. They were then asked what they would do. This behavioral intention measure indicated that 2 would refuse to mount the tire and 17 others would attempt to determine the size of the rim. The results of these field studies clearly indicate that good warning and size information can be significant in preventing 16 inch tire and 16.5 inch rim mismatch accidents.
Effects of Imitative Behavior on Seat Belt Usage: Three Field Observational Studies
Authors: Hong Seungkweon , Kim Dongyool , Kritkausky Kathryn , Rashid Raheel
Published: January 2012

Three field observational studies were conducted to examine the influence of a front seat car passenger (model) seat belt usage/non-usage on driver seat belt usage. In addition, the effects of driving location (study 1 and 2), time of day (study 1), day of week (study 2) and gender (study 3) were also examined. The results showed an overall seat belt use rate of about 70%, typical for New York State. All three studies showed that driver seat belt usage was significantly related to the front seat passenger seat belt rate. When the front-seat passenger wore the seat belt, 77% (79.4%-study 2, 87.1%-study 3) of the drivers wore the seat belt; when the front seat passenger did not wear the seat belt, only 44% (49.0%-study 2, 38.4%-study 3) of the drivers wore the seat belt. Results failed to show any significant effects of time of the day or day of week, but showed the expected significant effect of driving location (study 2). No overall main effect of gender on modeling was obtained, though interesting specific results were obtained. These studies extend earlier experimental work on the effects of modeling on seat belt usage, and confirm that car occupant seat belt behavior significantly impacts the other occupant's seat belt usage.
Using Coal Miners' Experience to Identify Effective Operating Cues
Authors: Cornelius Kim M. , Steiner Lisa J. , Turin Fred C.
Published: January 2012

Like many experienced workers, remote control continuous miner operators perform their everyday jobs making choices and decisions that they may not consciously think about. While performing tasks, they are continuously processing feedback and cues which guide them for the next move. Initial training teaches the operators the tasks necessary to operate the equipment and perform the job. However, with experience they are better able to deal with hazardous conditions and non routine situations. To better understand what potential cues and feedback help to guide the operators, a questionnaire was developed to learn what factors affect decisions. Operator responses address issues related to specific tasks, equipment operation, visibility, lighting, and communication issues. The information collected is useful to understand what cues experienced operators use to make task performance decisions. Results will be used to develop interventions and training for safe and effective operator performance.
Work Sampling Applied to a Human Factors Analysis of Mine Worker Positioning
Authors: Steiner Lisa , Cornelius Kim , Turin Fred , Stock Dara
Published: January 2012

Growing concern from labor unions, regulatory agencies, and industry about the safety of a prevalent underground coal mining method which utilizes remote control has prompted human factors field evaluation of mining activities. Remote control operations were implemented with little consideration given to human-system interactions. Ideally, collecting and analyzing information prior to implementing new technology would have helped to address potential problems. One such problem that operators and other mine personnel are faced with is the question of where they should safely position themselves to avoid injury while remotely operating machinery. To determine work methods employed by machine operators before and after implementation of the new method, work sampling techniques have been used to provide data about positioning of face crew members at different points in the mining cycle. This data provides information for optimal positioning, leading to safer operating procedures and identifying training shortfalls.
Argus, a System for Varying Cognitive Workload
Authors: Schoelles Michael J , Gray Wayne D.
Published: January 2012

Argus is a system developed to support research to understand and measure cognitive workload. It consists of a single-subject and a team version. Research with the single-subject version is concerned with cognitive workload from a dynamic micro-strategy perspective; the team version seeks to identify communication protocols and decision aids that support team performance under high workload conditions. Workload is varied by the experimenter through a set of authoring tools. In the single-subject version, multiple tasks, a decision task and/or a tracking task, multiple display interfaces and input modes further enhance the variability of task workload. In the team version, communication between team members is accomplished through text and data messages sent between workstations.
Scaneval: A Toolkit for Eye-Tracking Research and Attention-Driven Applications
Authors: Weiland William J. , Stokes James M. , Ryder Joan M.
Published: January 2012

ScanEval is an eye tracking software toolkit that records and processes eye movement data in terms of screen regions of interest. Based on these data, the system provides real-time attention assessment measures that can be used dynamically to provide feedback to an application, as well as a variety of summary measures and data capture that can be used for post analysis. This toolkit can be used for a wide variety of purposes including: reactive multi-media or multi-modal systems, training systems incorporating attention assessment, interface design and evaluation, or human factors experimentation. ScanEval is designed as a self-contained program with an application programming interface, for ease of integration with existing applications. It represents a major new enabling technology for commercial systems, in that it will make eye-tracking and visual attention measurement readily available to system developers.
Design-By-Blur: An Integrated Software Environment for Optimizing the Legibility of Graphical Symbol Signs
Authors: Schieber Frank
Published: January 2012

The capabilities and operation of the Federal Highway Administration's recently developed Design-By-Blur (Version 1.0) software package will be demonstrated. Design-By-Blur is a Windows™ program that provides all of the tools needed to implement the recursive-blur technique. This technique - developed by FHWA sponsored research - provides an iterative set of procedures which can be used to optimize the legibility of graphical symbols used in highway signs and other transportation-related signing systems (e.g., in-vehicle graphical displays). Using this approach, graphics designers can quickly identify elements within a symbol that will contribute to poor legibility. The Design-by-Blur software provides the image processing procedures for evaluating the visual quality of a graphical element as well as the tools for modifying low visibility design features within a single integrated environment. In addition to examining the operation of the software, experimental results verifying the efficacy of the recursive-blur technique will be briefly summarized.
An Analytical Look at Live and CB Speech Intelligibility in Contemporary Commercial Truck Cabs Based on the Articulation Index
Authors: Lee Suzanne E. , Robinson Gary S. , Casali John G.
Published: January 2012

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) currently has a hearing requirement for individuals seeking a commercial driver's license for interstate commerce. The existence of such a requirement implies that truck driving is a hearing-critical job, perhaps including speech communication tasks. Indeed, a task analysis performed in an earlier phase of this research confirmed that there are many hearing critical truck driving tasks, including several speech communication tasks. However, previous studies have shown that the truck cab environment can be quite noisy, perhaps noisy enough to impair speech communication. In this study, an analytical method known as the Articulation Index (AI) was used to predict the level of intelligibility in truck cabs for live and CB speech given certain measured truck-cab noise levels. Results showed that except in the quietest noise conditions, speech communication is severely degraded in the truck cab, a finding with potential safety implications. The AI method described herein can be used as a standardized analytical technique to evaluate speech intelligibility in various truck cab environments for design and comparison purposes.
Safety Issues in Local/Short Haul Trucking: The Drivers' Perspective
Authors: Hanowski Richard J. , Wierwille Walter W. , Gellatly Andrew W. , Knipling Ronald R. , Carroll Robert
Published: January 2012

Focus groups were conducted to gain an understanding, from the local/short haul (L/SH) drivers' perspective, of the general safety concerns related to L/SH trucking and, specifically, the degree to which fatigue plays a role. Eleven focus groups were held in eight cities, across five states. Eighty-two L/SH drivers participated. Much of the focus group activity involved discussions of critical incidents that drivers had either learned about or had personally experienced. One of the purposes of this discussion was to generate a list of causal factors that would highlight safety-critical issues in the L/SH industry. Across all sessions, the top five critical issues/causal factors, ranked in terms of importance, were: (1) Problems Caused by Drivers of Light Vehicles, (2) Stress Due to Time Pressure, (3) Inattention, (4) Problems Caused by Roadway/Dock Design, and (5) Fatigue. These findings are being incorporated into the experimental design of a follow-up study where L/SH driving data will be collected in situ.
Advanced Parking Management Systems: Models of Drivers' Parking Strategies
Authors: Holton Amy E. , Fisher Donald L.
Published: January 2012

Advanced Parking Management Systems (APMS's) are being designed as part of the Intelligent Transportation Systems effort. APMS's utilize variable message signs that provide drivers with real-time information on the availability of parking at alternative lots in downtown areas, airports, or other relatively congested parking environments. The goal of this study was to identify and model the strategies people employ when deciding where to park. Specifically, three experiments, a pencil-and-paper survey and two driving simulator studies, were conducted to determine which of four hypothetical decision rules most accurately describes drivers' parking choice strategies. Two-thirds of the participants were found to employ a lexicographic strategy, choosing the lot nearest the final destination if the number of open spaces was above some criterion. The remaining one-third of the participants were found to employ a more computationally intensive strategy, choosing the lot which minimized the total expected travel time.
From Managing the Car to Managing the Road: The Development of Driving Skills
Authors: Klein Helen Altman , Vincent Eric John , Isaacson Judith J.
Published: January 2012

Skilled driving requires complex cognitive and recognitional abilities. We used a Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) and a low tech simulation to study experience linked differences in these abilities. Inexperienced (n=18) and experienced (n=17) drivers participated. The inexperienced drivers struggled with control. They worked to keep their car between the lines and execute turns. In time, automatized performance replaced conscience control. Some situations, like icy roadways, were automatized later than others. As driving reached automaticity, drivers began attending to a wider range of cues. They predicted and avoided problems. A broader view of the roadway emerged in parallel with the development of anticipation. We also observed that experienced drivers were more likely to know their limits and adopted effective compensatory strategies. The Dreyfus & Dreyfus (1986) model of expertise is used to describe these systematic changes. Protocol analysis suggested guidelines for training novice drivers and for upgrading skills of long term drivers.
Designing for Usability with Cots: How Useful is a Style Guide?
Authors: Hoffman Jo , Cook Catherine A.
Published: January 2012

The recent increase in the use of Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) equipment and software in future military procurements creates a variety of challenges for human factors practitioners to address. There is a need to tailor our approach in order to provide suitable human factors tools to support the design of COTS-based systems. The human factors approach adopted, and experiences gained, in the development of a command planning aid are reported. This system, which is currently under development, utilises a large number of COTS products together with significant bespoke software development. It is one of the first major procurements in the United Kingdom to be based heavily around the use of COTS. A major challenge has been to optimise the usability of the overall system by providing future users with as seamless as possible integration of the various COTS products, rather than a series of unrelated, separate applications. One of the main activities has therefore been the design of the human-computer interface (HCI). A comprehensive Style Guide was developed against which the proposed COTS products could be evaluated, and new bespoke software could be designed. This paper evaluates the utility of a Style Guide in this context, and reports a number of lessons learned from our experiences.
The Validity of Anthropometric Predictions Derived from Proportional Multipliers of Stature
Authors: Gannon Aaron J. , Moroney William F. , Biers David W.
Published: January 2012

The inherent proportionality of the human body has been accepted since ancient times. Moreover, it has been assumed that anthropometric dimensions could be validly predicted by ratios or multipliers of another dimension (usually stature). Stature-based anthropometric multipliers from Drillis and Contini's (1966) Body Segment Parameters have been frequently referenced, even though their study focused on body segment mass properties rather than anthropometric dimension prediction. Using the electronic data from the U.S. Army 1987-1988 anthropometric survey (Gordon et al., 1989), we explored the prediction validity of stature-based anthropometric multipliers, and investigated the potential for improved validity by correcting multipliers for gender and race. This paper discusses selected findings for one (i.e. acromial height) of the ten anthropometric dimensions we studied within the white male demographic group, and compares these representative findings with selected results from the other anthropometric dimensions studied. Overall, practitioners should exercise caution when using anthropometric multipliers to predict, as these multipliers are subject to problems in predicting individual anthropometric variations and their predictions are susceptible to systematic percentile-placement errors. Although caution is required when employing stature-based multipliers, the most valid predictions result from using stature-based multipliers that are corrected for gender and racial demographic variables.
The Use of a Personal Computer-Based Aviation Training Device in Ab Initio Flight Training
Authors: Vaden Eric A. , Westerlund Ken K. , Koonce Jefferson M. , Lewandowski William
Published: January 2012

A personal computer-based aviation training device (PCATD) was used to train 63 ab initio flight students. Thirty-nine foreign airline trainees and 24 students from the U.S. participated in approximately 10 hours of basic VFR training between the completion of their ground school course work and flight lessons. All PCATD training followed a strict syllabus and was instructor-led. After the completion of their PCATD training, students followed the traditional flight lesson syllabus and training performance was tracked up to private pilot certification. Dual flight hours prior to the first solo flight, landings prior to the first solo flight, dual flight hours between the first solo flight and private certification, and landings between the first solo flight and private certification provided dependent variables for this study. The results suggest that the PCATD training was effective in improving training performance for some students. Those most influenced were students who traditionally require substantially more training prior to solo and private certification than that called for by the syllabus used at the facility where this study was conducted. Results also indicate that, as expected, the PCATD exposure had the greatest impact on training performance prior to solo.
Applying ISD to a Social Problem: Systematic Development of a Driver Training Computer-Based Program
Authors: Brock John F.
Published: January 2012

Traditionally, Instructional Systems Development (ISD) has been applied on large, primarily military training systems. Many skill-based training programs in the civilian world have followed the more traditional textbook, lecture, written-test model of the public educational system. In the meantime, after 70 years of public and private higher education over 6,000 young persons a year are killed in traffic crashes. It is well established that exposure to driver education does not correlate with either fewer crashes, or fewer traffic violations. This symposium reports on a three-year program that applied ISD techniques to the development of CD-ROM program for young drivers. The first paper, by Dr. David Willis of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, reports on the early needs analysis which identified a new approach to driving instruction as a potential intervention for young drivers. The second paper, by Larry Lonero of Northport Associates, describes the curriculum development effort which identified, among many, a set of specific learning objectives which were used to design the CD-ROM program described and demonstrated in the third paper, presented by Dr. Deborah Blank of Electronic Learning Facilitators, Inc. Finally, the fourth paper, by Dr. Donald Fisher of the University of Massachusetts, reports on the test and evaluation of the CD-ROM program using an advanced driving simulator.
Team Job Analysis: A Critical Training Need?
Authors: Baker David P. , Salas Eduardo , Cannon-Bowers Janis A.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of job analysis for teams (i.e., team job analysis) in light of its critical role in team training development. This was accomplished by: a) presenting a description of what constitutes a team job analysis and its critical requirements for team training development, b) summarizing characteristics of past approaches to team job analysis, c) analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches, and d) examining the applied and empirical research literature for guidance on how best to conduct a team job analysis. In addition, a series of thought provoking questions regarding team job analysis and its role in team training development are raised.
Assessing Team Knowledge Structures: Findings from the Field
Authors: Gualtieri James , Burns John , Phipps Donita , Reeves Darian , Pierce Linda
Published: January 2012

The factors that impact teams' cognitive representations of the systems with which they interact is an area of concentrated research effort. Not surprisingly, research indicates that these cognitive representations impact the team's functioning with the system. Despite the importance of these cognitive representations and their impact on performance, valid and reliable measurement in naturalistic environments remains elusive. Validity and reliability of a measure are especially important to assess the impact of training. The purpose of the current effort is to evaluate the efficacy of a particular knowledge elicitation and representation methodology. A demonstration of this methodology will be presented using data collected from the command and control elements of a Division Artillery (DIVARTY) command staff. Results indicate that this methodology distinguishes differences in team members' mental models as a function of expertise and subteam membership. Implications of these differences for training are discussed, as well as directions for future research.
Instructional Treatments, Advance Organizers and Novice Performance on a Telecommunications Network
Authors: Langan-Fox Janice , Waycott Jennifer
Published: January 2012

Recent advances in technologies designed for general population use (eg. autobank, mobile phone, video recorder) necessitate users to acquire information quickly and easily, about how a particular device should be oeprated. However it is often the case that technological devices and accompanying instructions, are not ‘user-friendly’, and are difficult to operate for ‘lay learners’, since learning must often occur individually, without verbal instruction, or assistance from experts or teachers. The current study set out to investigate the usability of a mobile phone network in an experiment lasting 4 hours with 94 student participants. It aimed to investigate (a) how advance organizers might affect performance and (b) the interaction between cognitive ability and effects of advance organizers. Participants were allocated to three experimental conditions: control, ‘text’ advance organizer, and ‘graphic’ advance organizer. Results showed that the ‘text’ group performed better than the ‘graphic’ group, and that as predicted, both advance organizer groups performed better than the control group. Further, low ability groups (associative memory and verbal reasoning) performed better in advance organizer groups, especially the text condition, than the control group suggesting that the effect of an advance organizer can ameliorate the influence of low ability, on performance. High ability groups were relatively unaffected by the influence of advance organizers. Further research is needed with common technological devices, into the effects of advance organizers on different ability groups amongst the population at large.