bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement Scale and Zero Point Indicators Affect Object Display Separate and Integral Task Performance
Authors: Dolan Nancy J. , Elvers Greg C. , Schmidt Jeffrey
Published: January 2012

Object displays, compared to bar displays, usually show better performance on tasks that require the operator to integrate the information presented. The cost of this benefit is that performance on separate tasks, where the operator needs to extract individual pieces of information, is typically not as good with an object display as with a bar display. One potential explanation for the decrement in performance seen when using the object display for separate tasks is the lack of a frame of reference for the separate tasks. In this study the frame of reference was manipulated by providing varying degrees of units of measure (full, partial and no tick marks) and presence or absence of a zero point. The results indicate that, if a frame of reference is present reaction time (RT) on the separate task is improved, but at the expense of the integration task. Root-mean-square (RMS) error is reduced if a frame of reference is present. A speed-accuracy trade-off was observed for the integration task with unit of measurement present. Implications for the design of object displays are discussed in light of this trade-off.
Analytic Workload Models for Flight Deck Design and Evaluation
Authors: Riley Victor , Lyall Elizabeth , Wiener Earl
Published: January 2012

A number of methods have been proposed to predict operator workload in complex systems. These methods depend on a variety of task attributes, including the difficulty levels of individual demands, the number of tasks performed in a unit of time, and the degree of competition between multiple demands. In this effort, twenty two methods of estimating workload were compared to determine the values of these attributes and to identify the most useful of the methods for flight deck design and evaluation.
Reducing Human Error in Aircraft Maintenance Operations with the Maintenance Error Decision Aid (MEDA)
Authors: Hibit Rebecca , Marx David A.
Published: January 2012

The Maintenance Error Decision Aid (MEDA) is an event-driven tool that assists a maintenance investigator to identify contributing factors and corrective actions that will prevent airplanes from being dispatched with error-induced discrepancies. MEDA attempts to influence the user to think differently about how he views and investigates maintenance error by supporting a human-centered, error investigation.
Effect of Terrain Shape and Object Grouping on Detection of Altitude Change in a Flight Simulator
Authors: Kleiss James A.
Published: January 2012

Multidimensional scaling (MDS) analyses of flight simulator visual scenes reveal that both the shape of the terrain surface as well as the spatial distribution of objects on the terrain are salient to pilots flying at low altitudes. MDS is based upon similarity ratings and it was deemed important to verify the relevance of these scene properties using a performance based task in a flight simulator. The task was an ascent/descent discrimination task similar to that used in other flight simulation research. Terrain shape and elements on the terrain (texture and objects) were factorially manipulated. Presence of hills as well as the spatial organization of objects on the terrain affected performance in some conditions. A positive effect of hills is noteworthy because hills did not extend above the horizon and therefore posed no vertical obstructions. Thus, they provide relevant information for perceiving altitude change apart from the role they may play in obstructing vision or navigation.
Perceptual Organization and Grouping Factors: Age Related Effects
Authors: Humphrey Darryl G. , Kramer Arthur F. , Gore Sheryl S.
Published: January 2012

Older adults have evidenced a poorer ability to use grouping factors in such tasks as Embedded Figures, Incomplete Figures, and partial report. Difficulties in disambiguating the findings of these studies has left unanswered the cause of this age-related difference. By taking into account age-related differences in visual short-term memory, the results of the current study suggest that older adults maintain the ability to capitalize on the perceptual organization of the visual environment as a means of facilitating recall performance. These results have implications for the design of information displays, product labels, codes, and instructions.
The Impact of Group Decision Support Systems on Group Consensus Processes and Outcomes
Authors: Nopachai Suvit , Casali Sherry Perdue
Published: January 2012

An experiment was conducted to examine how the use of a group decision support system (GDSS) influences the formation of group consensus. In a task requiring group members to jointly prioritize a list of items, 12 groups of eight members each were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions involving different levels of technological meeting support: (1) a group decision support system, (2) a manual counterpart to the structure imposed by the GDSS, and (3) no structured support. Measures of group consensus and perceived consensus, decision quality and perceived decision quality, and perceived opportunity to express views were made. The results revealed that the measures of consensus, decision quality and perceived decision quality, and perceived opportunity to express views were all similar across the three levels of technology investigated. Only perceived consensus was found to vary across conditions. The practical implications of these results are discussed.
Evaluating Mental Model Elicitation Methods
Authors: Cooke Nancy J. , Rowe Anna L.
Published: January 2012

Researchers have developed and applied a number of methods for measuring mental models. Unfortunately not only is the mental model construct ill-defined, but the basic research associated with it offers little guidance concerning the selection of a method for a particular application. In this paper a program of research is presented that is designed address this shortcoming. Specifically, the research involves a comparative evaluation of methods to measure mental models on the basis of the relationship between the method's output (i.e., the mental model) and the criterion of primary importance to the problem (e.g., task performance, user acceptance). It is assumed that a method should be selected on the basis of its ability to generate output that is predictive of the criterion of interest. It is likely that because the methods tap different aspects of a mental model, they will predict performance well on some tasks and criteria, but not others. As an example of this approach, data are presented that help to select the best method for measuring technicians' mental models of an electronics troubleshooting task.
Statistical Process Control Charting Applied to the Analysis of Human Performance in Computer-Supported Environments
Authors: Purcell Janine A.
Published: January 2012

To develop usable Human-Machine Systems, we need Tools to evaluate and measure the length of learning periods, error rate, response time, and transfer of learning in the human operators of these systems (Whiteside, Bennett, and Holtzblatt, 1988). This research explores the use of Statistical Process Control (SPC) charts as a tool to visualize and analyze performance in a decision-making task. The data submitted to control charting was collected in an experiment that explored the effect of order of training or experience in working with alternate display formats. Results for an individual subject as well as a summary for one of the four experimental groups are discussed. Suggestions for further applications of these techniques are offered.
Environmental Design and Worker Control for Preventing Wmsds
Authors: O'Neill Michael J.
Published: January 2012

Environmental control is defined as the degree to which the organization, group or individual can exert control over the physical environment as part of the process of accomplishing mission or job-related goals. This paper proposes a model which suggests that control over the physical environment may also be a means of reducing stress and work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in office workers.

Control is thought to be related to both performance and WMSD issues. The model uses systemic framework, placing the individual within the larger context of the workstation, workspace, and the overall facility. The potential for control exists from the macro (facility level) to the micro (individual workstation) environmental scale. Control can be exercised through several mechanisms, including: flexibility of initial building design (reuseability, ability to expand or downsize), overall layout of the work group environment (group ability to self-manage and reconfigure space) and flexibility of workstation features (such as task lighting, storage, shelving, work surface height, enclosure, VDT, HVAC).
Availability of Owner's Manuals for ‘Second-Hand’ Consumer Products
Authors: Wogalter Michael S. , Baneth Robin C.
Published: January 2012

This research concerns the availability of owner's manuals for second-hand (used or resold) consumer products. One-hundred people were approached in a shopping center mall and asked various consumer-oriented questions including: (a) whether they have ever purchased new and/or used 20 common consumer products (e.g., car, computer, power lawn mower, bicycle, etc.), and if so, whether those products came with an owner's manual or an instruction sheet when purchased; (b) whether they had personally sold any of the products, and if so, whether they transferred the owner's manual to the new owner; and (c) how much they would pay for the owner's manuals for each product assuming they had to purchase it separately. Also, they gave 9–point ratings on the products' familiarity, hazard level, and difficulty of use. The survey included several other questions including asking participants how they store their manuals, and for them to estimate the search time to find them. The findings show that while owner's manuals for some used-products are frequently transferred to new owners, others are not. In the latter cases, lack of owner's manual availability means that certain kinds of important safety information may not reach consumers — despite consumers wanting the information and the fact that manufacturers' included it with the product at its first sale. The results also indicate that people want access to owner's manuals for second-hand product. Participants agreed that including the owner's manual would help the sale of used products and that they were willing to pay extra for one (particularly for difficult-to-use products). These results suggest that manufacturers ought to address ways that would make it more likely that consumers retain the owner's manual and transfer it to subsequent owners at later resale, and provide consumers with convenient ways that they can request a replacement copy should the original manual become inaccessible.
Human Factors and Design Factors: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Authors: Smith Thomas J.
Published: January 2012

Since its emergence, the field of human factors has been engaged in an ongoing debate regarding the scientific essence of the discipline. Many observers believe that the crux of the debate centers upon the link between human factors and design factors, or performance-design interaction. Presenters in this symposium offer a series of perspectives on this theme, in relation to: (1) emphasis on behavioral considerations in design of complex automated systems (Meister); (2) emphasis on contextual specificity in teaching of design (Moray); (3) an ecological analysis of human-environment interaction as an integrated system (Flach); and (4) core principles of human factors science centered upon performance-design interaction (Smith).

The rationale for this symposium rests upon the widespread belief that the relationship between performance and design represents the defining issue of human factors science. That is, through its focus on functional integration of performance and design, human factors departs from the traditional dissected treatment of these phenomena by psychology and engineering. Therefore, the status of human factors science as an integral discipline may be considered to rest upon the answer to the question of how and why human behavior and performance vary in relation to design factors in the performance environment. Papers presented in this symposium provide insight into this question from a number of different perspectives.
Ruminations on Mind, Matter, and What Matters
Authors: Flach John M.
Published: January 2012

If psychology is the science of “mind” and physics is the science of “matter”, then human factors is the science of “what matters”. This claim is more than a simple observation about the scope of human factors (i.e., that it's scope overlaps both with psychology and physics). Rather, I will argue that the science of “what matters” requires an entirely different ontology than those which have traditionally provided the basis for psychology and physics. Two constructs will be central in the ontology of “what matters” - affordance and information.
A Study of the Effect of a “Resting Splint” on Peak Grip Strength
Authors: Perez-Balke Graciela , Buchholz Bryan O.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of a resting wrist splint on the change in peak power grip strength (PGS) as compared with bare handed PGS, and to investigate the role of hand morphology on the results. Ninety-six subjects were tested for (PGS) with a Jamar Dynamometer under two conditions: with and without a resting splint. The results showed that PGS decreased by an average of 13.71 % (1.35 SE) while subjects wore the wrist splint as compared with the bare handed PGS. A paired t-test was performed on this difference and found to be significant (p<.0005). Female subjects (N = 44) experienced a two-fold greater percent decrease in their PGS (18.52%, 1.49 SE) than male subjects (9.97%, 1.96 SE). The results of this study suggest that PGS is attenuated with the use of a wrist splint, however none of the anthropometric measurements taken of the hand and wrist proved to be correlated with the dependant variables, change and & percent change in PGS. Correlational analysis found that the independent variables: sex, hand span, wrist circumference, and hand length had correlations greater than .5 with both bare and splinted PGS. These variables were entered into a regression analysis and yielded models for the dependant variables, bare and splinted PGS, with R = .5975 and .5835, respectively. An ANOVA, however, revealed that sex and hand length were the only significant independant variables (p<.001 and p<.05, respectively). Qualitatively, subjects complained that the metal bar of the splint decreased their ability to grip the dynamometer. In some cases, subjects reported discomfort while gripping with a splinted wrist. This combination of obstruction, discomfort and force attenuation may decrease the amount of force that workers are able to apply during work activities. Hand morphology failed to identify workers who might improve hand grip with the use of a wrist splint. The results of this study have important implications for the use of a wrist splint while performing work activities that require the use of a power grip.
Evaluation of Grip Force Exertions in Dynamic Manual Work
Authors: Grant Katharyn A.
Published: January 2012

An obstacle to the development of guidelines for reducing forceful hand movements is that manual force is not easily measured or estimated at the worksite, especially during highly dynamic activities. Grip force requirements during manual work are dependent not only on object weight, but also on the surface characteristics of the object and the task dynamics. In theory, it is possible to predict grip force requirements for manual tasks using Newtonian laws of physics; however few researchers have attempted to measure grip force during dynamic work, much less to compare actual grip force values to predicted levels. Therefore, a laboratory experiment was conducted to examine grip force exertions during two simulated industrial tasks. In each task, participants repetitively grasped and moved aluminum handles against varying levels of weight or resistance. Grip force was measured using a strain gauge mounted inside the handles. Results indicate that grip force varied continuously throughout each work cycle in response to changes in the motion of the hand/handle. The pattern of variation was consistent between subjects and could be approximated by a sinusoidal model. Greater interindividual variation in grip force exertion was observed when the task allowed greater flexibility in selecting a movement strategy. The results also indicate that subjects are more likely to “overshoot” the necessary grip force (i.e., apply more force than needed) at the initiation of movement, especially at lower weight levels. This study demonstrates that it is possible to predict variations in grip force during dynamic work, although further refinements in the procedure are needed. Use of modelling techniques will enable industrial designers to better estimate grip force requirements and to identify design strategies that will reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury to the worker.
Postural Stability While Walking and Carrying Loads in Various Postures
Authors: Holbein M.A. , Redfern M.S.
Published: January 2012

Falls, over-exertion injuries and other potential consequences of balance losses continue to be serious ergonomic concerns. Stability issues are important in the prevention of these injuries, especially when the task is complicated by handling loads. However, stability analyses are not typical components of ergonomic job analyses. This study demonstrated that stability assessments can be effective in recommending load-carrying strategies. In particular, the effects of load positioning and magnitude on stability were investigated. Unladen walking was also tested for comparison. Several stability measures were defined based on the body-and-load's center of mass displacement in the frontal plane. Statistical differences among the load positions and magnitudes were found and are discussed. Results were consistent across measures. Additional work is needed to better define the limits of stability while carrying and to relate these, or other, stability measures to the likelihood of a balance loss.
The Effects of a Stretcher-Carry Harness on Soldier Performance: A Mass Casualty Simulation
Authors: Rice J. B. , Tharion William J. , Sharp Marilyn A.
Published: January 2012

This study investigated whether the use of a shoulder harness and team size would affect stretcher-carry performance, post-carry rifle marksmanship, and post-carry fine-motor coordination during a mass casualty simulation. Twelve male and eleven female soldiers volunteered. Soldiers carried stretchers in two- and four-person teams, with and without a shoulder harness in a 15-minute bout of rapid, short stretcher-carries and lifts. Soldiers completed as many carries as possible within the alloted period. Soldiers completed a marksmanship and fine-motor coordination task before and after each 15-minute period. Analysis of Variance and post hoc Newman-Keuls Comparison of Means revealed significant rifle shooting impairments after stretcher-carrying (p < 0.02). Men completed more carries than women (p < 0.0001), and more four-person hand carries were completed than other team size x harness combinations (p < 0.01). Women's rifle marksmanship was better when carrying in four-person teams (p < 0.05), while men's rifle marksmanship performance was not significantly altered. The fine-motor coordination task was completed faster after using a harness (p = 0.03) and working in four-person teams (p < 0.02). The ability to transport, medically treat, and protect patients is improved by working in four-person teams. In conclusion, for a mass casualty scenario, tactical planning should allow for enough soldiers to be deployed to allow stretcher-carrying in four-person teams. A harness system should be available for exigencies requiring two-person teams.
Customer Service at the Checkout: Relating Productivity, Ergonomics, and Front-End Management Issues
Authors: Hoffman Mark S.
Published: January 2012

There has been a growing body of research over the past several years exploring repetitive behaviors of cashiers in supermarket checkouts. These studies were designed to increase the knowledge about biomechanical and physiologic stressors on the cashier during their most repetitive tasks, scanning products, rather than understand the impact of these tasks on customer service. The research described in this paper summarizes results from over thirty recent studies to determine the corroboration of these findings with the biomechanical research. The results from these productivity analyses showed that when effects of staffing, mixes of transaction sizes and types of tendering are normalized, the Front Facing checkstand was the most productive during the most repetitive tasks, scanning and keying product information, and from the total transaction time. These findings are similar and support those previously reported in the biomechanical research on cashiers using scanners.
Physical Demands of Work are the Common Reference for an Integrated Ergonomics Program
Authors: Getty Robert L.
Published: January 2012

The integration of all of an organization's processes must occur for the achievement of a successful ergonomics program. OSHA guidelines for ergonomics suggest the essential elements are management commitment, employee involvement, medical management, worksite analysis and training. This paper will briefly show how the physical demands analyses (PDAs) at Lockheed Fort Worth Company (LFWC) were developed and utilized by various entities within the company. The focus on physical demands becomes the cornerstone for more than the post injury focus of OSHA ergonomic guidelines. Emphasis on physical demands leads to the prevention of future injuries, improvements in productivity and quality, as well as the design of new processes within the company.
Community Ergonomics: A Theoretical Model for Rebuilding the Inner City
Authors: Smith Michael J. , Carayon Pascale , Smith John , Cohen William , Upton Jerry
Published: January 2012

There is a critical need for various forces that are working to improve the inner city to coordinate their efforts and to develop cooperative approaches. This includes governments at all levels, social agencies, educational systems, the business community, financial institutions, religious groups, ethnic groups, police, universities and inner-city residents. The diversity in values, approaches, goals, desires and legal requirements makes such a systematic integration very complex and difficult. Several human factors and ergonomics theories for the management and control of complex systems can provide insight into effective means to address these issues. General principles can be established to promote “community ergonomics.”
Response Surface Analysis of Effects of Situation Constraints on Communications Media Choice in Organizations
Authors: Caldwell Barrett S. , Uang Shiaw-Tsyr
Published: January 2012

Past research on communications media use in organization has frequently focused on conditions such as the technical, economic, psychological, and social factors that influence use of media in organizations. However, few studies deal with situation factors. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between situation factors and utilization of communication media in organizations. These relationships between situation variables and media use are contrasted against previous media choice theoretical models (Social Presence, Information Richness, and Social Information Processing). In order to investigate the main and interaction effects of three situation constraints (urgency of message, the amount of message content, and distance between communicators), eight situations were analyzed through response surface methodology, using surveys collected from 1072 voice mail users in Wisconsin. The results strongly indicate the necessity of integrating situation factors into media choice models.
Long Term Evaluation of a Compressed, Rapidly Rotating Work Schedule
Authors: Paley Michael J. , Herbert Leslie Beth , Tepas Donald I.
Published: January 2012

A current trend in alternative work schedules is to increase the length of the workday while decreasing the number of days in the work week. These “compressed” work schedules are popular amongst shiftworkers, in part because of longer periods of non-work days. The current research is an attempt to add to the short list of long-term evaluations of compressed work schedules. A change in work schedules from an 8 hour rotating shift schedule to a rotating 10 hour day/14 hour night operating schedule in a fire department was studied. Multiple measures were used to address a variety of outcomes associated with the new schedule. From the significant increase in satisfaction with their work schedule, it is clear that the new shift schedule is well liked by the fire fighters. Reasons for the satisfaction include significant changes in usual sleep length, a decrease in being tired or sleepy at work and an increase in free time benefits. Other results are discussed in the paper. In conclusion, the use of a compressed work schedule is beneficial when workers are allowed to sleep on the job, however, generalizations to other workplaces must be limited. Use of these popular work schedules should be limited to applications which incorporate a systematic evaluation of the new work schedule.
High Involvement Ergonomics: A New Approach to Participation
Authors: Brown Ogden
Published: January 2012

High involvement ergonomics is introduced as a macroergonomic approach to the implementation of technology in organizational systems which requires that workers be involved in developing and implementing the technology. It has been proposed that work organizations move toward a more involved or commitment approach to the design and operation of the organization. Several types of involvement approaches are discussed, the managerial role in high involvement organizations is examined, and conclusions are drawn regarding the implementation of high involvement ergonomics.
Is Motion Sickness Hereditary?
Authors: Yanus Thomas M. , Malmstrom Frederick V.
Published: January 2012

Motion Sickness surveys were administered to 77 male graduate students and 95 male and female members of an Air Force Reserve medical unit. Results of Survey 1 indicated significant and sizeable correlations between sons and their natural fathers for severity of motion sickness symptoms of fatigue, headache, and nausea. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that the father's nausea accounted for 59.4% of the total variance of their son's nausea during travel. Results of Survey 2 indicated sizeable and significant correlations between respondents and both natural parents for percentage of reported symptoms of fatigue and headache. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that both parents' reported percentage of fatigue (26.6%) and headache (33.6%) reliably predicted the respondents' percentage of fatigue and headache symptoms but not the nausea symptoms. In addition, there were no significant correlations between self-reported symptoms of fatigue, headache, and nausea. Findings suggest (1) hereditary factors may be a significant contributor to motion sickness, both in severity and frequency of symptoms, and (2) fatigue, headache, and nausea are largely independent of each other. Indications are that motion sickness be considered a syndrome rather than a unitary disorder.
The Interaction of Signal Word and Color on Warning Labels: Differences in Perceived Hazard
Authors: Braun Curt C. , Sansing Lori , Silver N. Clayton
Published: January 2012

Previous research has examined the connoted hazard of various colors and signal words separately. The purpose of the present research was to examine the interaction of signal words and colors. A sample of 30 undergraduates rated the perceived hazard of 105 signal word/color combinations printed in specific hazard colors. of the colors used, red conveyed the highest level of perceived hazard followed by orange, black, green, and blue. There were significant differences among the signal words which were grouped into three different hazard level categories. High hazard words conveyed significantly more hazard than moderate and low hazard words. Likewise, moderate hazard words conveyed significantly more hazard than low hazard word group. More importantly, however, it was noted that a signal word such as DEADLY connoted less hazard when printed in green than red ink. Implications for warning design are discussed.
Mariner Performance using Automated Navigation Systems
Authors: Akerstrom-Hoffman Robin A. , Smith Myriam Witkin
Published: January 2012

Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) technology has recently emerged as a promising aid to maritime navigational safety and operational efficiency. ECDIS is likely to have multiple effects on the tasks bridge personnel must perform. However, careful consideration must be given to safety in adopting this new technology. A shiphandling simulator-based evaluation of some human factors aspects of the use of ECDIS is presented. The issues discussed include the effect on navigational safety and workload as a result of introducing ECDIS to the bridge, and the mariner's preference for and use of chart information and navigational data. Experienced mariners each made multiple port arrivals and departures as the lone watchstander on the bridge: navigating a planned route, responding to harbor traffic, and managing the preparations for arrival or departure. During “baseline” transits, conventional methods were available to the mariner. During the test scenarios, one of two prototype ECDIS systems was also added to the bridge. Under certain conditions, ECDIS reduced the mariner's workload for navigation. In addition, ECDIS showed a potential to increase safety as measured by a smaller cross-track distance from the planned route and by a larger proportion of time available to devote to collision avoidance and “look out”.
Components of Perceived Risk: A Reconciliation of Previous Findings
Authors: Young Stephen L. , Laughery Kenneth R.
Published: January 2012

People's perceptions of the risk associated with a product, in large measure, determines the degree of caution they will exhibit with regard to that product. Previous attempts to examine risk and to determine what factors are important in the composition of risk have produced disparate findings. Specifically, some studies have demonstrated that likelihood of injury plays an important role in risk perceptions (e.g., Slovic, Fischhoff & Lichtenstein, 1980), and other research shows that severity of potential injury plays the foremost role (e.g., Wogalter, Desaulniers & Brelsford, 1986; 1987). It was not until risk was conceived of in multidimensional terms that a coherent picture of risk seemed possible. The present study uses principal components analysis (PCA) to see if stable multidimensional solutions could be extracted from two qualitatively (and significandy) different item lists (as demonstrated by Young, Wogalter & Brelsford, 1992). Two sets of subjects rated the two different item lists on the same rating questions. The results were collapsed across subjects and submitted to a PCA. The solutions that emerged from the two item lists were strikingly similar. Each produced three components, with similar variable loadings and magnitudes. The results demonstrate clearly that risk, conceived of multidimensionally, is not affected by the products, technologies or activities under consideration. Rather, risk is a construct that could be tapped in order to give people a proper appreciation of the hazards associated with products and technologies that they encounter every day.
Escape Worthiness of Vehicles with Passive Belt Restraint Systems
Authors: Rodarte Edmundo , Purswell Jerry L. , Schlegel Robert , Krenek Richard F.
Published: January 2012

There are a variety of conditions that can exist in the post-crash environment which make rapid escape necessary for survival or to avoid further injury. These include a post-crash fire, the vehicle going into the water, or avoiding being struck in a secondary collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has defined this parameter vehicle escapeworthiness. It has been estimated in past research performed by the author for NHTSA that escapeworthiness becomes important in up to 7% of all vehicle crashes. Since escapeworthiness research was performed in the early 1970's, the advent of passive shoulder belt systems has made it necessary to again review the impact of this development on escapeworthiness. In particular, the inability of the occupants to release the passive restraint because the door cannot be opened after the crash, coupled with the inability to release the passive restraint due to its design or a lack of experience, or knowledge of how to release the passive restraint while the door is closed, creates a serious problem. Thus, the present study was performed to investigate the impact of passive restraint systems on the time required to escape from the vehicle under various conditions of available escape routes, and physical condition of the occupants. The experimental design included the variables of age, gender, escape route, level of incapacitation and type of passive restraint system. The times to effect an escape as well as the method of escaping were determined through videographic analysis of all escape trials. The findings demonstrated that the use of passive restraint systems increased the time to escape significantly, ranging from 37 to 65 percent for the respective conditions. This difference may determine whether a person survives or not after some post-crash conditions. The results have significance for the design of passive restraint systems for easy release, while at the same time not creating an incentive for some users to routinely leave the passive restraint unfastened.
Developing Effective Flight Crew Decision Makers
Authors: Lyall Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2012

The need for including decision making training objectives in the development of flight crew training programs is evident given the dynamic and complex environment in which the pilots perform. The experience of one airline in developing training for their flight crews has demonstrated that these types of objectives can be effectively integrated into their line oriented flight training (LOFT) program. The primary goal of LOFT is to create a realistic environment in which the pilots perform as if they are in line operations. Performance in this environment sets the stage for an effective training debriefing. An essential part of creating this environment is allowing for realistic decisions to be made that are followed by the appropriate outcomes and consequences. Pilots have consistently rated these training events as effective and helpful. Besides these student critiques, the effectiveness of the training is also evaluated using check pilot observations of crew performance in line operations.
Computer Aided Systems Human Engineering: Performance Visualization System (CASHE: PVS) — An Interactive, Hypermedia Design Tool
Authors: Monk Donald L.
Published: January 2012

The Performance Visualization Subsystem (PVS) of the Computer Aided Systems Human Engineering (CASHE) system is an interactive, hypermedia, ergonomics database developed for use by human-system designers, educators and researchers. CASHE: PVS version 1.0 allows users to access ergonomics data and models, stored on CD-ROM, as text, graphics, animations, and audio. The PVS hyper-linked data bases contain the complete implementations of the Boff & Lincoln (1988) Engineering Data Compendium and MIL-STD-1472D. Two specialized visualization tools, DataDigitizer and Perception & Performance Prototyper (P3), assist the user in understanding and applying this ergonomics data.
Operator Role Definition: An Initial Step in the Human Factors Engineering Design of the Advanced Neutron Source (ANS)
Authors: Knee H. E. , Spelt P. F. , Houser M. M. , Hill W. E.
Published: January 2012

The Advanced Neutron Source (ANS) is a new basic and applied research facility sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that is proposed for construction. It will provide neutron beams for measurements and experiments in the fields of materials science and engineering, biology, chemistry, materials analysis, and nuclear science. The facility will provide a useful neutron beam flux that is at least five times more than is available at the world's best existing facilities. It will also provide world-class facilities for isotopes production, materials irradiation testing, materials analysis, and the production of positrons. ANS will be unique in the United States in the extent to which human factors engineering (HFE) principles will be included in its design and construction. Initial HFE accomplishments include the development of a functional analysis, an operating philosophy, and a program plan. In fiscal year 1994, HFE activities are focusing on the role of the ANS control room reactor operator (RO). An operator-centered control room model was used in conjunction with information gathered from existing ANS system design descriptions and other literature to define RO responsibilities. From this list, a survey instrument was developed and administered to ANS design engineers, operations management personnel at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), and HFIR ROs to detail the nature of the RO position. Initial results indicated that the RO should function as a high-level system supervisor with considerable monitoring, verification, and communication responsibilities. The relatively high level of control automation has resulted in a reshaping of the RO's traditional safety and investment protection roles.
Operator-Centered Control of a Semi-Autonomous Industrial Telerobot
Authors: Spelt Philip F. , Jones Sammy L.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents work done by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Remotec, Inc., to develop a new operator-centered control system for Remotec's andros telerobot. andros robots are presently used by numerous electric utilities, the armed forces, and numerous law enforcement agencies to perform tasks which are hazardous for human operators. This project has automated task components and enhanced the video graphics display of the robot's position in the environment to significantly reduce operator workload. The procedure of automating a telerobot requires the addition of computer power to the robot, along with a variety of sensors and encoders to provide information about the robot's performance in and relationship to its environment. The resulting vehicle serves as a platform for research on strategies to integrate automated tasks with those performed by a human operator. The addition of these capabilities will greatly enhance the safety and efficiency of performance in hazardous environments.
T&E – where are we now and where are we going?
Authors: Meister David
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this panel discussion is to examine the present status of test and evaluation (T&E) methodology, to consider the problems it faces, and to project its future in the 21st century. The discussion will attempt to raise the consciousness of measurement specialists to an awareness of the factors that affect their work.
Understanding Perceived Image Quality: New Applications for Verbal Protocol Methodology
Authors: Deffner Gerhard , Yuasa Mashiho
Published: January 2012

The present study investigated the effectiveness of ‘cued retrospective verbalization’ used in combination with eye-movement recordings as memory aids to study image quality evaluation of display products. That is, recordings of eye movements during image quality judgments were played back as cues for recalling and verbalizing thoughts which occurred during prior image evaluation. The study also examined the consistency of subjects' image quality evaluation responses over time and whether retrospective verbalization influenced and altered subsequent preference. The experiment consisted of two sessions separated by a 60-hour interval. Subjects in the experimental condition performed retrospective verbalization in both sessions whereas subjects in the control condition did so only in the second session. Judgments of perceptual quality were stable over time, and there was no indication that cued retrospective verbalization influenced subsequent perceptual evaluation. Moreover, subjects in the experimental condition stated the same critical image characteristics for the reasons of their preferences if they had not changed their choices between the two sessions. When there were changes in preference over time, their verbalization protocol indicated clear shifts of attention from one critical image characteristic to another. Cued retrospective verbalization appears to be an effective tool to examine the processes of display image quality.
Contextual Interference Effects on Acquisition and Transfer of a Complex Motor Task
Authors: Goettl Barry P.
Published: January 2012

Research in motor skill and verbal memory suggests that random sequencing of trials results in retention and transfer that is superior to blocked presentation of trials. The contextual interference effect is based largely on relatively simple motor and verbal tasks. The present study explores the generalizability of the contextual interference effect to a complex flight simulator task. Subjects (66 males and 45 females) were assigned to three groups (i.e., whole-task, part-task blocked, and part-task sequenced) and trained on a desktop flight simulator. Part-task blocked subjects practiced 13 component tasks presented in blocks (low contextual interference), and part-task sequenced subjects practiced the same component tasks presented in a sequence that was repeated several times (high contextual interference). It was predicted that part-task sequenced subjects would show superior retention and transfer compared to blocked subjects. Results indicated that whole-task subjects showed the best retention and the two part-task groups did not differ. Additionally, all three groups showed equivalent performance on the transfer task. These results suggest that the contextual interference effect may not generalize to complex tasks.
Operator Reliance on Automated Support for Target Recognition
Authors: MacMillan Jean , Entin Eileen B. , Serfaty Daniel
Published: January 2012

In machine-aided target recognition, human operators work with an automatic target recognition (ATR) system to locate targets in cluttered and degraded imagery. The operator must integrate his or her own visual judgment concerning whether a target is present in the image with the ATR's judgment, which is typically expressed numerically. We conducted a series of experiments in which subjects attempted to locate target shapes among non-targets based only on visual images and based on both visual images and supplementary numeric information such as an ATR might provide. Image quality was controlled as an independent variable through the use of distortion rates that randomly altered pixel values to degrade the image. We found that subjects maintained a constant false alarm rate as image distortion increased, at the expense of a lower hit rate. This result was found consistently in experiments where the subjects' task was to distinguish single targets from a blank background, to distinguish single targets from single non-targets, and to locate multiple targets in a multiple-object display. We also found a bias toward over reliance on image versus numeric information. As image distortion increased, subjects failed to make optimal use of supplementary numeric information and showed an unnecessary decrease in performance. The results suggest that operators may experience difficulty in working with an ATR that has a high false alarm rate, even if the ATR's hit rate is also high, and that numeric expressions of ATR judgment may be undervalued by operators in locating targets.
The Effects of Positive Acceleration on Cognitive Performance: Big G - Little Know
Authors: Scerbo Mark W.
Published: January 2012

Researchers have been studying the effects of acceleration on humans for over 50 years. In that time we have acquired much information about the effects of positive Gz on human physiology, and yet, we know very little about its effects on cognitive abilities. The purpose of the present paper is to underscore the need for additional research in this area. First, a description of the G environment is presented. This is followed by a brief review of some of the relevant literature on psychomotor performance and reaction time. The papers ends with a survey of topics that beg experimental attention using the information processing model as its guide.
Evaluation of Computer-Based Progress Indicators in the Missile Launch Control Center
Authors: Andre Terence S. , Pouraghabagher A. Reza
Published: January 2012

Missile crew members are subject to certain inefficiencies in the daily operations of maintaining a missile on strategic alert. A computer-based display of procedural information offers several features that can assist a missile crew member. One of these features is the capability to provide progress information (i.e., feedback) to the operator during checklist execution. An experiment was conducted to examine differences between experts and non-experts in three computer-based formats with respect to the current paper-based system. The computer-based formats varied as to the type of feedback provided to the operators. The results indicated that experts responded faster and more accurately than non-experts. Computer-based checklists allowed experts and non-experts to substantially reduce their error rates compared to the paper-based system. User-initiated scrolling time for the computer-based formats had no impact on overall performance.
Providing Useful Human Factors Guidance to Aviation Maintenance Practitioners
Authors: Maddox Michael E.
Published: January 2012

The Aloha Airlines B-737 accident in 1989 prompted a general evaluation of aviation maintenance and inspection practices. A consistent finding from the Aloha analyses was that human-factors-related issues played a significant role in the accident. In the intervening period, the FAA Office of Aviation Medicine (AAM) has sponsored a wideranging, applied human factors research program. The Human Factors Guide for Aviation Maintenance (the Guide) is the primary vehicle for channeling the results of the AAM's research program into the aviation user community.

This paper describes the development process of the Human Factors Guide for Aviation Maintenance. We include a discussion of how the existing base of research results has been made accessible and, more importantly, usable to aviation maintenance supervisors and inspectors. We also describe the considerations related to widely disseminating the information and guidance contained in the Guide. We believe this to be the first time that detailed human factors guidance from such a broad topical range has been tailored to a particular, applied, user domain.