bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Processing Code, Response Modality and Task Difficulty on Dual Task Performance and Subjective Workload in a Manual System
Authors: Liu Yili , Wickens Christopher D.
Published: January 2012

We report here the first experiment of a series studying the effect of task structure and difficulty demand on time-sharing performance and workload in both automated and corresponding manual systems. The experimental task involves manual control time-shared with spatial and verbal decisions tasks of two levels of difficulty and two modes of response (voice or manual). The results provide strong evidence that tasks and processes competing for common processing resources are time shared less effectively and have higher workload than tasks competing for separate resources. Subjective measures and the structure of multiple resources are used in conjunction to predict dual task performance. The evidence comes from both single task and from dual task performance.
Repeated Measures Battery for the Aged
Authors: Shannon Richard H.
Published: January 2012

A battery of 29 reliable, valid and repeatable cognitive and psychomotor paper-and-pencil tests, with each test measuring a specific construct, was used to assess the performance of 48 older males and females. These subjects were divided into three separate age groups: 55–60, 65–70, and 75–80 years. In addition, a group of 16 men and women aged 25–35 served as a control group. This battery is divided into three sub-batteries (A, B and C) which were given on three separate weeks. The emphasis of this paper will be to describe the results of the nine tests contained in sub-battery C. Each test of a basic ability was analyzed separately across a total of five days and fifteen trials, with three trials being given each day. Total test time for each trial was approximately 35 minutes.
Computers and the Elderly: A Review of the Literature and Directions for Future Research
Authors: Tobias Cynthia L.
Published: January 2012

Microcomputers could help reduce two of the principal fears of the elderly: inadequate income and loss of independence; yet there are indications that the elderly do not use computers very extensively because they see them as too complicated or because some of the physical impairments of advancing age make using standard systems too difficult for them. Previous research has shown a high degree of interest in computers among the aging, even in those over 85; however, the research has not focused on the elderly's special needs in the human-computer interface. Research is required on alternative input devices, such as the touchscreen and voice recognition, on menus and screen design, and on the use of color for coding or display background.
The Role of Temporal Parameters in Recall of Synthetic Speech
Authors: Ayres Thomas J.
Published: January 2012

The limited-duration articulatory store which has been proposed as the basis of the memory span could involve either a playback or a production mechanism. In order to compare these, immediate serial recall was studied with auditorily-presented lists of digits with durations of 120–300 msec and pauses of 60–240 msec. Memory span declined for decreasing item duration, an effect largely attributable to loss of intelligibility. The results suggest that memory span depends on an active process rather than on passive playback of the memory trace.
The User-Computer Interface in a Telecommunications Engineering System: Impacts of Automation
Authors: Thrush Lisa L. , Myers Greta L. , McMillen Luther D.
Published: January 2012

A common scenario in both manufacturing and human-computer interaction is that of people linking independently-designed systems. People receive output from one system, modify it and then input it into the next system in the process. In computer systems, manual data entry tasks introduce the possibility of both human errors and delays. With increased automation and integration of computer systems, many of these human links can be eliminated. Removing the human link between independently-designed systems does not remove the user from the system network. Rather, it places the user in the role of exception processing, controlling, monitoring and responding to the overall network of systems. This new role brings with it the requirement for an expansion of user knowledge to include a complete understanding of the system network and skills for technical problem solving. It further requires that the system's design include appropriate means of notifying exception processors, a system administrator and management of system status and production volume. The appropriate combination of these components will make a substantial contribution toward the development of a successful integrated computer system.
Rapid-Software for Prototyping User Interfaces
Authors: Metz Stephen , Richardson Rose Mae , Nasiruddin Mohammed
Published: January 2012

The present paper describes 1) the operation of a software tool for interface prototyping–RAPID–that is designed for software designers and human engineering specialists to use in support of design iteration and experimentation and 2) an application of this prototyping tool in the development of consumer products. RAPID simulates the appearance and function of small control panels including commonly-used displays and controls using the Smalltalk-80TM computing environment. The experience of using the design tool in a product development effort has provided a means of evaluating the success of this approach for supporting the product development cycle and improving the quality of the human-machine interface.
A Desktop Expert System as a Human Factors Work Aid
Authors: Hartley Craig S. , Rice John R.
Published: January 2012

The advent of increasingly powerful microcomputers, coupled with the development of small, feature-packed expert systems now makes it cost effective to provide workers with relatively inexpensive desktop expert systems. In order to evaluate the value of such systems as work aids for human factors engineers, we developed a small demonstration system using a commercially available expert system development tool, NEXPERTTM, released in 1985 by Neuron Data, Inc. of Palo Alto, CA. We selected a candidate problem area based on four criteria: 1) the problem domain had to be small enough to be covered comprehensively by a relatively small knowledge base; 2) the problem domain had to be potentially useful to video display terminal (VDT) screen designers; 3) appropriate information had to be readily available in human factors guidelines, published reports, and journal articles; and 4) the problem should provide the opportunity to exercise as many of the features of NEXPERT as possible. The topic area we selected was “video display screen color”. Our goal was to produce a job performance aid (JPA) that non-human factors VDT screen designers could use to select appropriate colors for screen features. Because the system users typically have little or no formal training in human factors, the JPA has to supply color recommendations in the form of clearly stated requirements, but with the decision rationale and additional references also immediately available for users wanting more information. Using the expert system shell provided by NEXPERT, we constructed a knowledge base containing more than one hundred IF …, THEN … rules representing knowledge gained from a detailed literature review. We initially validated our expert system by posing a wide variety of hypothetical design problems and assessing its conclusions against our expectations. Based on our work so far, we have concluded that small expert systems can be useful in providing human factors expertise to system designers. We believe that increasing use of expert systems may soon lead to changes in the typical current scientific publication format to include knowledge base rules provided by the author(s).
Evaluation Metrics and a Tool for Control Panel Design
Authors: Palmiter Susan L. , Elkerton Jay
Published: January 2012

In the use of control panels for the automotive industry, consistency and usability are of major importance. General qualitative guidelines exist for the designer, but there is currently a lack of quantitative human factors data for control panel designs. A state of the art design tool which provides the designer with ergonomic usability guidelines and structure is needed. As part of the current research, a computer-based tool which provides a quantitative analysis of the ergonomic quality of a control panel layout has been created. This tool is a tailored Auto-CAD1 program for the IBM PC2 which provides features to encourage consistency and structure in the design of control panel layouts. Extending the work by Tullis (1983) on alphanumeric display metrics, four graphical metrics for the overall and functional design levels are included as part of the design tool. These metrics are: 1) Overall Density - ratio of free space to occupied space, 2) Local Density - how closely placed the design entities are to each other, 3) Layout Complexity - position irregularity of functional areas, and 4) Display Grouping - number of functions and number of controls and displays. In this effort, the design metrics and the design tool have been developed.
Incorporating Human Engineering into a SDI Simulation
Authors: Zechmeister K.M. , Evans R.L.
Published: January 2012

Human Engineering methods were employed to critique a SDI simulation software package. The areas of human performance measures, subjective responses, number of options to view, commonality of different sections, and user support functions were evaluated. This was for the intent of creating a program that was “user-friendly” and would require a minimal amount of training time. A naive user was provided a checklist and asked to score the input and output interface modules while creating a scenario. Written text followed the checklists which included detailed examples for increasing the efficiency in the designated deficient areas. This led to incorporating changes for a more effective program, reducing cost and time.
Fine Motor Control with CBR Protective Gloves
Authors: Karis Demetrios
Published: January 2012

Using a within-subjects design, performance on a continuous cursor control task was measured in three conditions: no gloves, flight gloves, and a combination of three gloves worn simultaneously for chemical, biological, or radiological (CBR) protection. Twelve subjects used their left ring finger on a two-axis force controller to move a cursor on a CRT. After centering it over one of eight possible targets, they depressed the controller to designate the target and end a trial. Time to acquire the target and accuracy in centering the cursor over the target were recorded. Subjects had faster acquisition times in the two glove conditions with no increase in errors, although only the difference between the CBR gloves and no-gloves was statistically significant. My explanation for these findings is that the thickness of the gloves may have improved the fit of the fingertip in the force controller, which was concave, and also prevented the finger from slipping by increasing the coefficient of friction between the finger and the controller.
Speech Discrimination in Noise: The Influence of Hearing Protection
Authors: Casali John G. , Horylev Matthew J.
Published: January 2012

A psychoacoustic study was performed to determine speech discrimination performance in several noise conditions with the use or non-use of industrial hearing protection. The independent variables included: (1) subject hearing configuration (unoccluded and earplug-, earcap-, or earmuff-occluded), noise intensity level (60, 83 dBA), and noise spectral type (low frequency, white, high frequency). Subjects' hearing level was used as a blocking variable. All factors were found to significantly influence speech discrimination performance, as measured using phoneme scoring. These are discussed in some detail in the paper.
Training Development for Complex Cognitive Tasks
Authors: Ryder Joan M. , Redding Richard E. , Beckschi Peter F.
Published: January 2012

This study evaluated current training methodologies, particularly Instructional Systems Development (ISD), and recent developments in cognitive science to determine how training procedures should be modified to support training for tasks which require complex cognitive skills. We contend that ISD is still viable if procedures are developed for the training of cognitive skills. An important component of ISD which needs to be modified to support training of cognitive skills is the task analysis. We discuss the need for integrating efficient and cost-effective cognitive task analysis methodologies with traditional analysis methods.
MENUDA: A Knowledge-Based Menu Design Expert System
Authors: Parng Kuocheng A. , Ellingstad Vernon S.
Published: January 2012

An experimental knowledge-based menu design assistant (MENUDA) was developed to aid the design of menu systems. A conceptual model was first developed to provide a structured construct to organize knowledge of menu system design from the available literature, and to serve as a paradigm for the development of the MENUDA system. The knowledge base and the user interface of the MENUDA system were developed under an interactive microcomputer environment supported by Texas Instruments' Personal Consultant Plus. The current version of the MENUDA system is described in the paper. In addition, the methodology used to derive rules in the MENUDA knowledge base and the appropriateness of employing a knowledge-based expert system approach to providing user interface design guidelines are discussed.
An Investigation of the Relationship between a Basic Attributes Test Battery and Learning to Fly a VTOL Simulator
Authors: Couchman Darlene A.
Published: January 2012

The objective of this research was to compare scores from modified AFHRL Basic Attributes Tests against speed and proficiency in learning to fly a VTOL simulator. Initially 184 correlational analyses were performed to determine whether there were any significant relationships among various BAT scores and the criterion measures. Based on these results, nine independent variables were selected to enter in stepwise regression equations for four criterion measures. Based on these analyses, the PortaBAT tasks appear to be stable predictors of pilot performance in a VTOL simulator.
The Computer-Aided Man-Model: A Safety Valve in High Technology
Authors: Snell Jan
Published: January 2012

Because of rapid advances in technology, early considerations of human factors in the design process is imperative. Computer-aided man-models enable man to evaluate the world he designs before it becomes reality. Given a certain environment, can the operator see or touch that which is necessary? Does he fit comfortably in his work space? Using Prime Computer's System for Aiding Man/Machine Interaction Evaluation (SAMMIE), a 3-dimensional human factors modeling tool, a designer can make early decisions thereby relieving time and money constraints produced by late design evaluation conclusions. Technology is advancing the human population into environments with power beyond our control. The aerospace environment, particularly, is rich in hazards. Only by setting limits to the power at hand can man expect to advance further without destroying himself. The computer-aided man-model permits man to experiment with the concept of an environment before committing himself to the perils of the unknown.
Practical Workload Assessment in the Development Process
Authors: Shafer John B.
Published: January 2012

The objective was to structure the concept of workload in a practical way which would permit Human Factors Systems Engineers to apply this concept to various phases of the development process. Workload is a qualitative rather than absolute concept which, like motivation, is inferred to exist by measuring the relative behavioral reactions to certain conditions. Workload may be thought of as an intervening variable between physical, mental, visual, vocal, or auditory antecedent conditions, and whatever performance-based, subjective or physiological measures that may be sensitive enough to reflect changes in the antecedent conditions. The practical approach has been to consider workload as the number of things to do modified by the level of difficulty. This concept has successfully permitted HF Systems Engineers to assess operator workload at progressive levels of system development.
3-D in Pictorial Formats for Aircraft Cockpits
Authors: Way Thomas C.
Published: January 2012

Sixteen military pilots flew simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground missions in a simulated fighter-attack cockpit. Three of the five color CRTs in the cockpit were capable of displaying retinal disparity and the major independent variable was presence or absence of disparity. Performance, workload, and opinion data were collected. A second objective of the study was to continue development of the display formats, which had evolved through earlier projects. The disparity results and the recommended format revisions are presented.
Modeling Air Traffic Controller Performance in Highly Automated Environments
Authors: Murphy Elizabeth D. , Reaux Ray A. , Stewart Lisa J. , Coleman William D. , Harwood Kelly
Published: January 2012

As increasing levels of automation are planned for the United States' air traffic control system, there is a need to assess planned system design changes for their potential effects on human performance. The model of controller performance developed by this work permits the comparison of prior and planned system transition states on several performance dimensions: perceptual, analytic, response, and resource management. Systematic predictions of performance provide a basis for identifying potential trouble spots in a planned system. The model can be employed to determine whether system design changes will improve controller performance without placing unreasonable demands on the controller's resources. It can be tailored to represent human performance variables and sources of resource demand in any complex automated system.
Task Network Modeling as a Basis for Analyzing Operator Workload
Authors: Laughery K. Ronald
Published: January 2012

This paper discusses a technique for predicting human workload which is based around task network modeling. Task network modeling allows task analyses to be simulated on a computer to study dynamic system behavior through the addition of information, primarily task time and sequencing. A technique was developed by McCracken and Aldrich (1984) and modified by Drews, Laughery, Kramme, and Archer (1985) which permits the inclusion of workload information into a task network model. From these workload models, one can make predictions about where points of excessive operator overload are likely to occur. However, the technique has undergone only limited empirical validation. In addition to presenting the basic technique, this paper will briefly describe a software tool for using the technique as well as the perceived theoretical shortcomings of the technique in its current form.
A Living Systems Theory Approach to Human-Computer Interface Design
Authors: Abbott Martin J.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents Living Systems Theory (Miller, 1978) as a conceptual framework for human-computer interface (HCI) design. Many researchers and practitioners in the field of HCI design have used systems terms and concepts in their work; however, it is not clear that an integrated systems approach has been taken in the field of HCI design. Living Systems Theory (LST) is proposed as the means for obtaining a conceptual framework for the study of the HCI. Miller clearly defines terms and concepts that can serve as a “common language” to improve communication within and across disciplines. It is likely that a multidisciplinary field such as HCI design could benefit from LST. Specifically, by adopting this “common language”, researchers and practitioners in the field of HCI could improve communication with other disciplines which could facilitate the sharing or information across disciplines.
When “Not” is Not Bad: A Re-Evaluation of the Use of Negatives
Authors: Newsome Sandra L. , Hochlerin Michael E.
Published: January 2012

Previous literature has consistently shown that affirmative messages are understood more quickly and accurately than negative messages and that redundancy facilitates comprehension and response selection. However, it was unclear which of these two variables is the most important in the design of system-status messages that must be understood and acted upon. In our experiment, we compared affirmative and negative system-status messages when negative messages contained a word redundant with the appropriate action. The results indicated that affirmative messages were responded to more quickly and more accurately than negative messages only when the negative messages did not contain a redundant word. Redundant negative messages were more accurate than affirmative non-redundant messages.
Developing Successful Speakers for an Automatic Speech Recognition System
Authors: Danis Catalina M.
Published: January 2012

This paper reports on a study of recognition performance for a group of new users during their first month of experience with the Tangora system. Tangora is a 20,000 word, speaker dependent, isolated-word system which transcribes speech input into text in real-time. Twelve users, six males and six females, participated in 21 sessions each, during which they read aloud unrelated sentences selected from a corpus of office correspondence. Their goal was to develop a speaking style which minimized Tangora's recognition error. To this end, starting with the third session, the experimenter generated hypotheses about each users' speech habits which may have resulted in high recognition error and made suggestions to the user on how to modify his/her speaking style. In addition, each user produced a new speech sample each of the four weeks of the experiment which was used to “train” the system to recognize the speaker. On average, recognition error decreased by 33% from the first to the fourth week. This improvement was attributable to “retraining” the system with, apparently, more representative speech samples. A number of speech habits brought by users to the recognition task were identified as contributing to poor recognition performance by Tangora. These included: (a) a too fast speech rate, (b) failure to pause between words, (c) hyper-correct articulation of the final phoneme in words and (d) incomplete articulation of the first phoneme in words. Feedback relating to these speech habits was used successfully by a majority of the users to modify their speaking style into one more successfully recognized by the Tangora system.
Handprinted Data Entry with a Touch-Sensitive Numeric Keypad
Authors: Geiser Georg
Published: January 2012

A new method for handprinted data entry is proposed for those user tasks where only few characters have to be entered. The basic idea is to use a numeric keypad as writing surface for one finger. For this purpose the keys are equipped with touch sensors, and display elements are fitted to the keys and the intermediate spaces. By means of the arrangement of the keys in the keypad the writing surface has a structure of rows and columns which motivates the user to produce characters with a standard format and uniform line elements. In order to allow characters to be sloppily written to some extent, the method of dynamic programming was applied for a nonlinear adaptation of pattern and prototype vectors. A first series of experiments showed that error rates of the subjects (e.g. omissions, confusions) and of the pattern recognition system (errors, rejections) are very low.
Knowledge Acquisition: Human Factors Issues
Authors: Mitta Deborah A.
Published: January 2012

Knowledge acquisition is the process of extracting expertise from a domain expert. Expertise may be collected manually via a series of interviews held between the expert and a knowledge engineer or through sessions the expert holds with an automated knowledge acquisition tool. Several human factors issues become apparent: documenting mental models (where mental models are the expert's conceptualization of a problem), recording cognitive problem-solving strategies, and specifying an appropriate interface between the domain expert and the acquisition methodology. This paper provides a discussion of current manual/automated acquisition techniques, human factors issues associated with knowledge acquisition, and the ways in which several acquisition methodologies have confronted human factors issues.
The Interactive Display Design Tool: An Application Program for Part-Task Simulation Development
Authors: O'Donnell Christina M. , Smith Mark W.
Published: January 2012

Traditionally, part-task simulation development has involved large amounts of time and effort. This was due to: 1) the inherent complexity of designing real-time software; 2) difficulty of converting dea/concept into specific software engineering requirements/specifications; 3) the need for extensive interconnected computer systems (both graphical and non-graphical). There are 3 activities involved in the creation of a part-task simulation: 1) the physical display format; 2) the definition of the input (Simulation Logic); 3) the definition of the response to the inputs (Display Logic). The Interactive Display Design Tool (IDDT) was a concerted effort to allow parts of the external interface to be created directly by interface designers, rather than software engineers. The original version of IDDT allowed the designer to interactively create and modify display formats. The current capability of IDDT allows interface designers to partially create and modify display and simulation logic. This paper discusses the specific methodology used within IDDT: display lists and look-up tables, and cites examples and capabilities of the tool. In conclusion, specific instances of significant savings in time and effort required for part-task simulation creation are given.
A Computer Aided Method for Assessing Accessibility of Information in Technical Documentation
Authors: Rowland Larry , Williams Evelyn , Williams Hewlett-Packard
Published: January 2012

A methodology and a computer based program for testing documentation organization and location aids (tab-dividers, indices, tables of content and headings) was developed and used to aid the design and evaluation of documentation. The methodology and program allow computer analogs of documents to be tested before they were actually produced (based on detailed outlines).

The documentation testing program presents the test subject a series of goal oriented user tasks. The subject then selects from a set of books and uses the existing location aids or paging to locate the heading that contains the information required to accomplish the task. The program automatically records use of the table of contents, tab-dividers, and index as well as the heading under which the subject believes the information will be found. The subject is allowed to make changes and additions to the tables of content, the index, and main body headings as the test progresses.

The program runs in two modes. One mode provides feedback to the test subject on whether the final location is correct and tests how rapidly information can be found. Another model provides no feedback on the correctness of the locations and is used for developing models for the documentation based on user search paths and information content assumed to be under headings.

The program has been used to evaluate documentation for a large computer operating system (HP-UX, a variant of UNIX*) and the results show promise.
A Pilot Study of Navigational Aids' Impact on the Usability of Hierarchical and Hypertext Databases
Authors: Vail Rachel E.
Published: January 2012

This pilot study investigated the relative effectiveness of various navigational aids for navigating through both hierarchical and hypertext database structures. Previous research has suggested that subjects perform more efficiently when using a spatial map of hierarchical structure. Similar data are not available for hypertext structures. The results of the present pilot study suggest that more in-depth investigation is required to judge the relative merits of the various aids for differing database structures.
An Evaluation of Floor Surfaces
Authors: Rys Malgorzata , Konz Stephan
Published: January 2012

Three floor surfaces (concrete, a San-EZE-7/8″ thick resilient rubber mat, and a Traction Mat-3/8″ rubber mat with raised knob design) were evaluated based on foot dimensions, lower leg and foot temperature and body comfort. Nine college students (2 females) stood for one hour on each of the floor types performing two types of visual inspection: inspecting pennies for a particular year, and inspecting pennies for several years at a time. There was a significant difference in body comfort between floor surfaces. Both mats were better than concrete (although not always statistically significantly so). The Traction mat was better for upper, mid and lower back comfort; the San-EZE mat was better for lower leg, ankle, hindfoot and forefoot. The temperature of the calf and instep was significantly higher for both mats than for concrete.
A Cross-Cultural Survey of Personal Preferences in Design and Operation of a Lunar Base
Authors: Wise James A.
Published: January 2012

This paper reports the results of a student survey conducted at the International Space University during its inaugural summer of 1988. The survey concerned personal preferences in design and operations options for a hypothetical lunar base which was the focus project for the class. The results showed potential cultural differences in desires for dress codes, alcohol usage, calendar observances and other design and operations procedures. These differences suggest that in the planning of future space bases, significant attention should be directed towards the special needs of culturally diverse crews to ensure that optimal habitability, job performance, and crew relations goals are realized.
Human Factors Design considerations for Military Trains
Authors: McCrobie Daniel
Published: January 2012

This report describes a research project to develop and verify habitability and human factors design criteria as applied to the design of a train rail car. A study of analogous conditions and similar environments was used to develop specific design solutions and design criteria for the rail cars. Verification of these design criteria was done via an iterative, usability test program with actual user personnel. The results of the first set of studies suggest that this test process improved the design of the system. The methods and results sections of this report contain specific design solutions and general comments that were developed during the test process.
Broadening the Range of Signal Words
Authors: Silver N. Clayton , Wogalter Michael S.
Published: January 2012

Most guidelines on warning design recommend using an appropriate signal word that connotes the degree of hazard involved. Usually three levels of signal words, DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION are suggested for warnings that convey high to low degrees of hazard. The purposes of the present research were threefold. The first goal was to examine whether these terms differed in implied hazard level. The second goal was to determine whether an additional group of five words recommended in guidelines or used in previous research differed in connoted hazard level. The third goal was to explore the possibility of increasing the number and range of words that connote different levels of hazard. Subjects rated a list of 84 potential signal words on six questions assessing strength, severity of implied injury, likelihood of implied injury, attention-gettingness, carefulness, and understandability. The results indicated that DANGER connoted greater strength (arousal) than WARNING and CAUTION, but the results failed to show a difference between WARNING and CAUTION. Among other words tested, DEADLY was seen as having strongest arousal connotation, and NOTE the least. From the long list of 84 terms, a “short” list of 20 signal words was developed based on understandability, low variability, shortness of word, and frequency of use. It is suggested that an expanded list of signal words might alleviate potential problems of habituation from overuse of the currently recommended terms.
Symposium the Work of the NAS/NRC Committee on Human Factors
Authors: Harris Douglas H.
Published: January 2012

Since 1980, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has had a standing committee on human factors as part of its operating agency, the National Research Council (NRC). The Committee on Human Factors, like other NRC committees, serves as an independent advisor to the federal government–identifying critical theoretical and methodological issues, defining the state of knowledge with regard to these issues, and determining research needs and their priorities. In this capacity, the Committee has the opportunity to provide new perspectives on human factors and to guide the direction and support of future human factors research and development. The purpose of this symposium is to provide an overview of the origins and purposes of the Committee on Human Factors, and to present examples of some of its recent work.
Human Factors Research and Nuclear Safety
Authors: Moray Neville
Published: January 2012

This study was undertaken at the request of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission to advise them as to the necessity for a new program of research into human factors of nuclear safety following the decision to terminate research in that area in 1985. The study showed in a particularly striking way how necessary a systems approach is to the application of human factors to complex systems. It is not possible to foresee the impact of human factors on complex human-machine systems without extending the definition of human factors to include disciplines such as social and organizational psychology, management sciences, and sociology. Following the presentation of the report to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission human factors research has again begun, and the report seems to have had a significant impact on the direction and scale of work supported by NRC in this area.
Commuter Behavior and Decision Making: Designing Motorist Information Systems
Authors: Barfield Woodrow , Haselkorn Mark , Spyridakis Jan , Conquest Loveday
Published: January 2012

This research reports on the results of a large sample survey designed to investigate the response of commuters to the delivery of motorist information. The main purpose of the survey was to investigate the impact of traffic information on commuter's route choices, mode choices, and departure times, and to determine whether motorists could be categorized according to their specific information needs. The surveyed population consisted of 9,652 home-to-work Interstate five (I–5) commuters, of which 3,892 (40%) returned usable surveys for analysis. Using the cluster analysis statistical technique, four commuter subgroups were shown to exist with respect to their willingness to respond to the delivery of real-time traffic information. These groups were: (1) route changers those willing to change routes on or before entering I–5 (20.6%), (2) non-changers, those unwilling to change time, route, or mode (23.4%), (3) time and route changers (40.1%), and (4) pre-trip changers, those willing to change time, mode, or route before leaving the house (15.9%). The response of these commuter groups with respect to several variables and some applications of this data to the creation of motorist information systems are discussed.
A Human Factors Evaluation of Freeway Guide Sign Lighting Systems
Authors: Upchurch Jonathan E. , Bordin Jeffrey T.
Published: January 2012

The objective of the study was to identify a lighting system for freeway guide signs which is more economical and which adequately satisfies motorist's needs in terms of legibility, illumination, color rendition, and other factors. Through the use of technical data and specification review, photometric tests, and computer analyses, ten lighting systems were selected for field testing (10–14 months). Luminance levels, power consumption, maintenance requirements, and lamp life were noted. A human factors study determined legibility distance and rated viewing comfort, lighting uniformity, and color rendition. Senior citizens and young adults were used to detect possible age-related differences. None were noted other than seniors placed more importance on color rendition. It was determined that the differences between the best human factors performing lighting systems and the best regarding economics was only marginal concerning human factors. The most economical system was thus recommended.
Maximum Forces in Simulated Meat Cutting Tasks
Authors: Jorgensen M. J. , Riley M. W. , Cochran D. J. , Bishu R. R.
Published: January 2012

This study attempts to evaluate maximum force capabilities of subjects performing fourteen different simulated meat cutting tasks. The different tasks represent different cutting positions related to the orientation in which the meat is presented and the types of trimming cuts. The experiment was conducted to measure maximum force capability against two constant velocities produced by a Cybex II dynamometer through the range of motion for the simulated meat cutting tasks. The results of this experiment produced a basis for selecting cutting orientations based on force capability for cutting in these fourteen motions. Based on this, the desirability of different cutting orientations for meat trimming jobs has been established.
Optimization Techniques in Occupational Biomechanics
Authors: Genaldy Ashraf , Houshyar Abdolazim
Published: January 2012

In most detailed representations of joint mechanics incorporating the effects of muscle forces in biomechanical models the number of available force-carrying structures crossing the joints are in excess of the number of available equilibrium of the joint. Unless one makes gross anatomical and functional simplifications, the mathematical description of joint mechanics involves an undetermined set of equations. Different approaches have been taken by researchers to solve this statically indeterminate problem, but the intuitive reasonableness of optimization in body function has led investigators to use numeral optimization procedures in the prediction of muscle force activity. This paper reviews and evaluates various optimization techniques applied to occupational biomechanics.
Ergonomics Analyses of the AT&T Operator Services Position System
Authors: Ghahramani Bahador
Published: January 2012

The Operator Services position System (OSPS) is an advanced Ergonomically sound workstation designed to furnish AT&T operators with enhanced call processing facilities. The predecessor for the OSPS system originated as the Traffic Service Position System (TSPS) about 40 years ago and replaced the manual corded operator positions. At that time, the TSPS represented a significant improvement for the operator working environment. Ergonomics advancements in the past 40 years since the TSPS design, have been applied to the replacement OSPS.

Additional features were provided to the TSPS system in 1986. The Computerized Position Information System (COMPIS) is an auxiliary system designed to enhance operator work efficiency and productivity. The COMPIS system is the old TSPS system augmented by a Video Display Terminal (VDT) and a movable keyboard with a long cord.

This COMPIS “add-on” was acceptable when COMPIS use required only 10% of the operators' 8-hour working day. The COMPIS was so successful that usage quickly climbed to 50%.

COMPIS equipment was an interim system intended to enhance operator capabilities until the new Operator Services Position System (OSPS) is installed in late 1990.

The primary objective of this paper is to discuss the significant Ergonomics considerations of this system and describe their applications within the communications industry. The Ergonomic goals of AT&T are: development of procedures to be utilized for system feedback and keying of calls: and, provision of a console and screen display layout that can support the maximum use of Human Factors principles as they apply to the operators' duties.
Appropriate Technology Transfer to the Developing World: Microcomputers in Colombian Firms
Authors: McEniry Mary
Published: January 2012

This paper discusses the aspects that comprise the appropriate transfer of microcomputers to small and medium-sized Colombian manufacturing firms. The paper draws on the experience gained from an 18-month study carried out in Colombia among small and medium-sized manufacturing firms. The paper argues that the issue of appropriateness lies more in “how to use” microcomputers rather than “whether or not” to use them. International mechanisms that could improve the “how to use” microcomputers are identified and discussed and the creation of an international center for the appropriate transfer of microcomputers to the developing world proposed.
Requisite Variety: A Concept to Analyze the Effects of Cultural Context for Technology Transfer
Authors: Demel Gail , Meshkati Najmedin
Published: January 2012

The Law of Requisite Variety states that “the system must possess as much regulatory variety as can be expected from the environment” (Ashby, 1957). This law may have some implications for culture. Specifically, the four cultural dimensions by which national cultures differ (as proposed by Hofstede, 1980a): Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism-Collectivism, and Masculinity-Femininity influence Requisite Variety depending on the country to which the technology is transferred. Therefore, it is proposed in this study that Requisite Variety can be used as a concept to systematically investigate the influence of culture for technology transfer. This approach constitutes the incorporation of Human Factors considerations in technology transfer, as stated by Meshkati (1986 and 1989b) and Wisner (1985).
Crew Structure, Automation and Communication: Interaction of Social and Technological Factors on Complex Systems Performance
Authors: Straus Susan G. , Cooper Russell S.
Published: January 2012

The effects of automation and task group social structure on group communication and performance are investigated in a simulated flight experiment. Fifty, two-person crews flew a ninety minute mission in a fully instrumented, GAT-II simulator. Crews were composed to be either homogeneous or heterogeneous with respect to crew members' flight experience and age. Approximately half of the crews flew with the aid of automated control; the other half flew manually. All cockpit communications were recorded and subjected to content analysis. Based on the analysis of twenty-four transcripts, there was no overall difference in communication patterns as a function of crew composition. However, the results indicated that heterogeneous crews tended to exchange a higher ratio of task relevant to task irrelevant statements compared to homogeneous crews, but this tendency was moderated by automation level. This interaction corresponds to performance data that show enhanced performance for heterogeneous crews in the automated condition. Additional evidence and discussion suggest that group structure and interaction may contribute to the observed performance differences.
Aircrew Performance as a Function of Automation and Crew Composition: A Simulator Study
Authors: Wickens Christopher D. , Marsh Roger , Raby Mireille , Straus Susan , Cooper Russell S. , Hulin Charles L. , Switzer Fred
Published: January 2012

In an experiment designed to examine the effect of crew composition and automation level on flight performance, fifty pilot-copilot crews flew a simulated instrument flight mission between three Michigan cities. Half of the crews were of homogeneous composition (both low or both high time), while half were heterogeneous consisting of one senior high time member and one junior low time member. Within each group, roughly half flew xxx with automated flight control and the other half flew manually. The flight was disrupted by periodic instrument failures. Results indicated that automation improved flight performance and lowered workload. While there was no overall difference in performance between homogeneous and heterogeneous crews, the latter group appeared to benefit more from the advantages that automation had to offer. The results are discussed in terms of the effect of automation on cockpit authority gradients, the role of flight experience, and of crew communications.
Forward versus Backward Shift Rotation
Authors: Duchon James , Wagner Jon , Keran Christopher
Published: January 2012

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has been involved in the study of guidelines for the design of shiftwork schedules. One popular suggestion offered by shiftwork researchers and consultants is to establish schedules that rotate in a forward direction (Day to Afternoon to Nights) rather than backward (Day to Night to Afternoon). This paper analyzes the two primary premises behind these suggestions. Data on subjective sleep times collected from both forward and backward rotators, indicate that the Forward rotation may not be more beneficial than the Backward rotation. Although the WORK start times of a forward schedule parallels the direction for faster biological adjustment, SLEEP times do not. Also, the between-shift intervals for forward direction shifts are not necessarily more conducive for more flexible shift schedule design given the sleep behaviors of shiftworkers.
Checking Out the Checklist: Evaluation of a Job Performance Aid for Assessing Organizational Resource Management
Authors: Ruffner John W. , McAnulty D. Michael
Published: January 2012

As a job performance aid, the checklist has been applied to a wide variety of organizational requirements such as task analysis, survey questionnaire development, office automation, and maintenance. Although there are many examples of checklists that have been developed for different organizational requirements, there has been relatively little research performed to evaluate the checklists. One reason for this may be the lack of an acceptable methodology and evaluation criteria. This paper (a) describes a methodology and the criteria developed to evaluate the checklist used to assess the management of aviation resources by Army Reserve Component training facilities and units and (b) summarizes the results of the evaluation. Army National Guard and Army Reserve aviators and aviation technicians used 5-point rating scales to evaluate the Detectability, Importance, and Criticality of the checklist items. A data base was developed to summarize the Detectability, Importance, and Criticality information. In addition, a graphic decision aid was designed to help military managers decide whether to retain, revise, or delete individual checklist items. The methodology and criteria developed for this research may be applicable in other organizational contexts, especially those in which there is a requirement to evaluate an existing checklist and a full-scale validation effort is not feasible.
The Macroergonomical Challenge of Industrial Teaming Arrangements' Organizational Structure
Authors: Getty Robert L.
Published: January 2012

Industrial teaming arrangements that are formed by industry to take advantage of pooled resources have problems of coordination and communication in their operations. The central contention of this study is that the organizational structure is the precipitating cause of the resulting inefficiencies. Organizations that have their own self-referential rules are unable to mesh without causing conflict. The location of the majority of structural difficulties are in the interstitial, boundary spanning roles between teamed companies. A mailed questionnaire was developed and distributed to key individuals, generally occupying boundary spanning positions, who participate in teaming arrangements. The data from this industrial survey was analyzed by principal component, multiple regression and path analytic procedures. Studies in individual teaming arrangements are suggested to identify and solve structural issues that detract from their operations.