bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Sleep Quality and Mattress Types
Authors: Park Se Jin , Lee Hyun Ja
Published: January 2012

Information of sleep stage was one of the most important clues for sleep quality. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of mattress types on sleep quality, the skin temperature and to estimate the subjective rating. The hypothesis was tested whether sleep quality was different when subjects slept on mattress suitable for the bodily shape or not. Polysomnography is basically the recording of sleep. The several channels of brain waves (EEG), eyes (EOG), chin movements (EMG) and heart (ECG) were monitored. Six subjects spent 6 days and nights in the laboratory and the data of sleeping 7h for each of 3 nights was analyzed. Mean skin temperature, deep sleep (III and IV), sleep efficiency, sleep latency and subjective ratings were significantly affected with mattress types. When subjects slept in comfortable beds, mean skin temperature was higher than that of uncomfortable bed. Their skin temperature of the lower body, sleep efficiency and the percentage of deep sleep were higher, too. The percentage of wake after sleep onset was lower when subject slept in a comfortable bed.
Predicting the Adoption of Web Media Objects for University Course Instruction
Authors: Johnson Kayenda
Published: January 2012

This research addresses university faculty's use of web media objects: text, images/graphics, animation, audio and video for course instruction. The purpose of this research was to determine, through multiple regression models, the most influential factors associated with faculty adoption of web media objects. Faculty adoption and implementation of web media objects for course instruction involves three stages: technology, pedagogy, and presentation style. Regression models were developed for each stage. The resulting multiple regression revealed that innovation characteristics: compatibility, trialability, and relative advantage are most important to consider for faculty adoption of web media objects in their course instruction. Guidelines are presented for advanced multimedia training developers and training support systems, and recommendations are made for improving the adoption of web media objects for university course instruction.
The Effort is Well Worth it: Finding Systems Projects for Human Factors Evaluation
Authors: Atchley-Greene Frances , Doherty Shawn M.
Published: January 2012

This paper outlines the exposure of students to real-world, hands-on capstone projects in the Human Factors domain. Multiple groups of students have been provided with the opportunity to analyze and evaluate human factors and system engineering projects provided by the local community businesses and public works departments. This paper summarizes the basic processes used in obtaining these projects and the response from both students and clients to these projects. in general, most students recognize the benefit of these projects and appreciate the opportunity to utilize their skills in a practical arena that goes beyond the traditional classroom. Clients that provide the projects are grateful for the assistance our students provide and look forward to future endeavors.
Motorcyclists' Brake Operation, Motorcycle Brake Controls and a Case Study: The Need for Human Factors Engineering
Authors: Mortimer Rudolf G.
Published: January 2012

A survey was made of the braking techniques reportedly used by 180 motorcyclists in a variety of conditions. Overall, the motorcyclists indicated that they used both front and rear brakes in hard braking 75% of the time on dry pavement and 47% on wet, but in other conditions they mostly used the rear brake first or exclusively. That the rear brake is preferred is not surprising because of the design of the brake controls and other reasons. Reliance on the rear brake at the expense of the front wheel brake leads to reduced deceleration. A crash case study exemplifies the effect. Integrated brakes, in which each brake control simultaneously activates the brakes on the front and rear wheels, are indicated by good human factors design and by motorcyclist's braking performance and should improve safety, especially when the brakes incorporate anti-locking mechanisms
Road Rage: User-Reported Antecedents and Potential Solutions
Authors: Smith-Jackson Tonya L. , Wogalter Michael S. , Shaver Eric F.
Published: January 2012

Road rage (intentional high risk driving behavior) is a factor that increases the likelihood that a driver will be involved in a vehicle crash. The focus of this study was to determine potential antecedents of road rage and methods to prevent road rage. A sample of 372 participants were surveyed. Based upon responses, participant profiles were established to analyze the data. Analyses using Chi-square and Fisher's Exact test revealed a significant negative relationship between age and the tendency toward aggressive driving, particularly tailgating. in addition, content analysis revealed a number of potential antecedents of and solutions to road rage. Human factors implications are discussed.
Decision-Making Styles Associated with Accidents: Defining the High Risk Pilot
Authors: Adams Richard J. , Hamilton Booz Allen , Koonce Jefferson M. , Hwoschinsky Peter V.
Published: January 2012

This study involved an extensive experimental survey of 4000 pilots. It was designed to determine decision-making variables that could be used to identify high risk taking pilots who have had an accident (cases) vs. low risk pilots who have been accident free (controls). The information data set collected with this survey instrument provided a rich core of knowledge that has not been analyzed before as a whole. The ultimate goal was to use this core of information to develop a global index related to a pilot's propensity for accidents.

The analyses included: validating the risk taking hypotheses, the development of a discriminant functions to determine if cases and controls could be correctly classified using the instrument, and the development of a risk taking characteristic model. It was found that 80.1% of the cases and controls could be correctly classified using the entire 122 question set. If a simplified five question set was used, 68.2% of the cases and controls could be correctly classified.
Hedonomics - Affective Human Factors Design
Authors: Helander Martin G.
Published: January 2012

People have affective reactions towards tasks, artifacts and interfaces. Theses reactions are caused by design features, which operate either through their perceptual attributes or from a sense of control in handling or from past experience. A systematic framework is proposed to conceptualize Affective Human Factors Design or as we call it - Hedonomics. The word Hedonomics is derived from the Greek “hedone” (pleasure – akin to sweet) and “nomos” (laws, principles). The focus is on pleasurable design of artifacts and tasks. Several existing theories may combine to support this framework, including: Human Information Processing, Activity Theory, and Theory of Flow. There are also analogies with past theories – in human need structure, motivation, job satisfaction, and stress research. The problem is now to conceptualize Hedonomics, to propose theories that can be used for design, and appropriate measurement tools. It is particularly important to develop tools to measure and predict affective design – and on an individual level predict user and customer needs for affect.
Profiling Users of a Unified Communication Service: Understanding Communication Traits and Styles
Authors: Ruppenthal Leonardo , Chignell Mark
Published: January 2012

In spite of the powerful functionality and message integration offered, unified communication (UC) has yet to be widely adopted as a solution that meets the demands and complexities of modern communicators. By understanding individual differences, requirements, and preferences, it should be possible to design better communication interfaces and services. This study examined the characteristics of communication-related preferences among users of a three-month UC trial. Survey data from 123 respondents were analyzed. A series of factor analyses identified 19 communication traits, 7 of which were particularly interesting. A cluster analysis suggested three types of communication styles: Low-tech, Power, and Strategic. Future research will attempt to relate the current findings to actual communication behaviour. The creation of a communication preference inventory (CPI) is also discussed.
Physical Exposure Assessment in a Large Prospective Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders Study
Authors: Bao Stephen , Spielholz Peregrin , Howard Ninica , Silverstein Barbara , Smith Caroline , Irving Ruby , Orr Cindy , Hamilton Ben , Pilon Maureen , Salazar Carolyn
Published: January 2012

This paper describes a battery of physical exposure assessment methods used in a large prospective upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders study. Different from some previous prospective studies, this study collects health and physical exposure data for each study subject rather than at a group level. Subjects are recruited from different job categories based on their hand activity exposure categories. Multiple exposure assessment methods are used to measure job physical exposures such as force, repetition, and work posture. This will allow us to compare the sensitivity of different exposure assessment methods in predicting the risk for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Procedures have also been taken to monitor inter-observer reliability for some observational analyses. During the first year of the study, baseline exposure measurements have been collected from 607 volunteers at 11 different worksites. Follow-up measurements have also been collected in these worksites. Whenever a participant has a significant job change, a new exposure assessment is conducted at the new job. This paper will primarily discuss the various exposure assessment methods used in this study, and use some preliminary results to demonstrate some of the data reduction methods.
Do the Same Factors Affect use and Non-Use of Safety Equipment?
Authors: Halter M. J. , Drury C. G.
Published: January 2012

Safety equipment is often specified by human factors engineers/ergonomists, but it is not always used in practice. Thus, safety belts in cars and patient transfer devices in nursing homes are not universally used despite proofs of their effectiveness and (at times) rules governing their usage. This study was performed in several nursing homes and hospitals to determine whether similar reasons were given for Use or Non-Use of patient transfer equipment by nurses. We tested 30 nurses in the first phase to determine typical reasons for Use and Non-Use, followed by testing 47 nurses using rating scales for the reasons given in a second phase. We also measured actual use of patient transfer equipment, which was low at 40%, nurse demographics and reported back pain. The main finding was that different factors were reliably associated with Use versus Non-Use of the equipment. The strongest factor in Use was enforcement of requirements. Speed of operation was the weakest factor in the Non-Use decision. Such dissociation of positive and negative factors is not uncommon in rating scale data.
The Relationship between Subjective and Objective Scales on CTS Symptom Severity Using a Self-Administered Questionnaire
Authors: Kong Dongjoon , Freivalds Andris , Kothari Milind J. , Naidu Sanjiv H.
Published: January 2012

A group of 39 CTS patients with 60 affected hands participated in the study. A self-administered questionnaire developed by Levine et al. (1993) and nerve conduction measures (NCS) were used. The factor analysis showed a consistent result with previous studies: Primary (numbness, tingling, and nocturnal symptoms) and Secondary (pain, weakness, and clumsiness) symptoms. Peason's correlation coefficients showed that two primary symptoms (numbness and tingling) were highly correlated ( p <.05) with NCS results while the other symptoms were not. Among the primary symptoms, only nocturnal symptoms did not show any significant correlation with NCS results. The nocturnal symptoms could be more of a mechanical problem of wrist flexion at night and not a reflection of nerve slowing at night versus daytime but still was a good measure of CTS. The primary symptoms could be used as a potential screening tool for early CTS in the workplace.
Use of the Cabs Methodology to Assess Biomechanical Stress in Commercial Crab Fishermen
Authors: Mirka Gary A. , Shin GwanSeob , Kucera Kristen , Loomis Dana
Published: January 2012

Commercial fishing is a job characterized by long hours in an unpredictable natural environment and variable demands placed on the musculoskeletal system, requiring strength, coordination, and endurance. The focus of this project was in the quantification of the biomechanical stresses placed on the lumbar spine during the work activities of commercial crab fishermen. The Continuous Assessment of Back Stress (CABS) methodology was used to develop distributions describing the amount of time that each of the three workers on a three-man crabbing crew spend at various levels of spine stress. The results of this analysis, expressed in terms of time weighted histograms, show significant variability in the loading of the lumbar spine during regular daily activities both within and between crew members. While the captain has relatively low stress levels, the mate experiences high force (up to 30kg), dynamic exertions while pulling the crab pots from the water up into the boat and high loads (20–40kg) during the loading and unloading of the boat, while the third man experiences static awkward postures (forward flexed postures held for up to five minutes at a time) as he sorts and packs the crabs.
Ergonomic Analysis of Pallets and Drum Handling
Authors: Martin Bernard , Adamo Diane , Felicitas Robert , Burastero Stephen , Kim K. Han
Published: January 2012

This study investigates the effects of heavy pallet and drum handling on spinal loading at the L5/S1 region and surface electromyographic activity of the erector spinae muscles, and the associated risk of low back disorder (LBD). Ten field technicians at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) were asked to unstack plastic and metallic pallets and manipulate 55 gallon waste drums. Lifting the metallic and plastic pallets and lowering a 34 Kg drum induced the highest disc compression at the L5/S1 level, while manipulating the pallets and breaking up a 203 Kg drum induced the highest low back muscle activity. The major results showed that posture has a significant influence on disc compression force; however, the lowest muscle load may not be correlated with the lowest disc compression. The computed disc compression forces and EMG activities are most likely responsible for the elevated risk of back injury in waste management workers.
Ergonomic Evaluation of California Winegrape Trellis Systems
Authors: Kato Andrew E. , Fathallah Fadi A.
Published: January 2012

The winegrape industry suffers from high incidence rates of work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Pruning of dormant vines requires long periods of highly repetitive and physically demanding work that increases risk for MSDs. The purpose of this study is to quantify risk factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal injuries to the wrist and lower back while pruning five commonly used winegrape trellis systems. Eleven subjects (10 male, 1 female) participated in this study. Subjects performed a simulated pruning task as wrist and trunk postures and psychophysical data were gathered. The results showed significant differences among the trellis systems. Compared to the other systems, the vertical shoot positioned (VSP) was determined to be most optimal in terms of decreasing relative MSD risk. These results will assist vineyards in selecting suitable trellis systems that may improve worker health.
Relationship between Transitional Acceleration of the Whole Body Center-Of-Mass and Friction Demand Characteristic during Gait
Authors: Lockhart Thurmon E. , Woldstad Jeffrey C. , Smith James L.
Published: January 2012

A laboratory study was conducted to examine the gait changes associated with aging and the effect of these changes on initiation of slips, initial friction demand, and slip distance utilizing newly defined biomechanical parameters of slips and falls. Twenty-eight subjects from two age groups (young and old) walked around a circular track at a comfortable pace wearing a safety harness. Slippery floor surface was automatically placed on the walking track over force platforms at “unexpected” random time intervals utilizing remote controlled floor changer. Synchronized kinetic and kinematic measures were obtained on both slippery and non-slippery floor surfaces. The results indicated that older subjects step length was significantly shorter, and transitional acceleration of the whole body center-of-mass (COM) was significantly slower than their younger counterparts. Older subjects initial friction demand as measured by required coefficient friction (RCOF) was not significantly different than their younger counterparts. Additionally, older subjects slipped longer and faster than younger subjects. Bivariate correlation analyses suggested that transitional acceleration of the whole body COM was significantly related to friction demand characteristic (e.g., RCOF). These findings suggest that gait changes associated with aging (especially slower transition of the whole body COM) may affect initiation of slip-induced falls among older adults.
Mission Control Knowledge Synchronization: Operations to Reference Performance Cycles
Authors: Garrett Sandra K. , Caldwell Barrett S.
Published: January 2012

Capturing and utilizing previously generated knowledge is crucial to an organization's development and responsiveness in a dynamic environment. Even so, the creation of a reference source from operational knowledge is affected by situational contexts, events, and organizational constraints. The organizational operations to reference cycle within NASA's Mission Control Center can be examined by the approval process of Flight Rule Change Requests (FRCRs). The FRCR process is intended to document knowledge capture and synchronization tasks associated with space flight missions. External pacing exists due to the operational demands of the launch schedule; procedures are not written or modified without direct relation to operational experience or mission requirements. Preliminary analysis illustrates that, although the FRCR approval process has a cyclic nature with a natural frequency of about one month, launches act as critical forcing functions since procedural knowledge and controller expertise must be synchronized before each mission.
Medication Dispensing Errors in Community Pharmacies: A Nationwide Study
Authors: Flynn Elizabeth A. , Dorris Nathan T. , Holman Grady T. , Camahan Brian J. , Barker Kenneth N.
Published: January 2012

The available literature concerning medication dispensing errors provides relatively few studies that focus on community-based pharmacies. This paper presents the results of a nationwide, observation-based study of dispensing errors. Although community-based pharmacies were the primary focus, a small number of health-system pharmacies were also included. Investigators collected information concerning the frequency and type of errors and near errors as well as data regarding a number of task and environmental factors previously correlated with dispensing errors. A total of 5,784 prescriptions were inspected, revealing 91 errors (1.57%) and 74 near errors (1.28%). Errors were categorized as either content (41.76%) or labeling (58.24%) errors. Results are consistent with findings in the available literature. In particular, lighting levels, type of inspection system used (e.g., bar code product verification), number of available employees, and the arrangement of drug stock were significantly associated with both types of errors.
Reported Likelihood of Reading Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication Labeling and Contacting a Physician
Authors: Cheatham Deane B. , Wogalter Michael S.
Published: January 2012

The present research examined the extent to which consumers reported reading information on over-the-counter (OTC) packaging and labels. Two studies consisting of a total of 652 participants were conducted. Study 1 participants completed a survey in which they reported their OTC medication behaviors in terms of saving the packaging from the medication and the likelihood that they would contact a physician with OTC medication questions. In Study 2, participants completed a survey in which they reported the likelihood of reading information on the medication packaging and label both before and after using the product the first time. Results indicated that participants frequently discard the box after using medication and rarely call a physician with questions regarding OTC medications. Findings also indicated that information is more likely to be read prior to using medication than afterwards. Age, sex, and student status differences in reading behaviors were also found. Implications for the delivery of OTC medication information are discussed.
Kinesthetic Compensation for Misalignment of Teleoperator Controls through Cross-Modal Transfer of Movement Coordinates
Authors: Ellis Stephen R. , Adelstein Bernard D. , Welch Robert B.
Published: January 2012

When a teleoperation system's remote image sensor is oriented so as to misalign the display coordinates in which the user must operate, control difficulties arise. Users then must learn to compensate for a rotational sensorimotor rearrangement. A new compensation technique is proposed in which the hand not used for control provides a kinesthetic cue to the rotation. In essence, the cueing hand provides a kinesthetic reference for the movement of the controlling hand. Users then make their control movements relative to their kinesthetic sense of the cueing hand's orientation. Experiments show that this technique can reduce control disturbances for some misalignments by up to 64%.
Use and Misuse of Linear Perspective in the Perceptual Reconstruction of 3-D Perspective View Displays
Authors: Smallman Harvey S. , St. John Mark , Cowen Michael B.
Published: January 2012

Despite the increasing prevalence of three-dimensional (3-D) perspective views of scenes, there remain a number of concerns about their utility, particularly for precise relative position tasks. Here, we empirically measure and then mathematically model the perceptual biases found in participants' perceptual reconstruction of perspective views. Participants reconstructed the length of 10 test posts scattered across a 3-D scene to match the physical length of a reference post. The test posts were all oriented in the X, Y or Z cardinal directions of 3-D space. Four viewing angles from 90 degrees (“2-D”) down to 22.5 degrees (“3-D”) were used. Matches systematically underestimated the compression of distances into the scene (Y) and systematically overestimated the compression of height (Z). A simple computational model is developed to account for the results that posits that linear perspective (that only operates in X) is inappropriately used to scale matching lengths in all three dimensions of space. The model suggests a novel account of the systematic underestimation of egocentric distances in the real world.
Sound Localization with Hearing Protectors: Performance and Head Motion Analysis in a Visual Search Task
Authors: Simpson Brian D. , Bolia Robert S. , McKinley Richard L , Brungart Douglas S
Published: January 2012

The effects of hearing protection on sound localization were examined in the context of an auditory-cued visual search task. Participants were required to locate a visual target in a field of 5, 20, or 50 visual distractors randomly distributed throughout ±180° of azimuth and from approximately −70° to +90° in elevation. Four conditions were examined in which an auditory cue, spatially co-located with the visual target, was presented. In these conditions, participants wore (1) earplugs, (2) earmuffs, (3) both earplugs and earmuffs, or (4) no hearing protection. In addition, a control condition was examined in which no auditory cue was provided. Visual search times and head motion data suggest that the degree to which localization cues are disrupted with hearing protection devices varies with the type of device worn. Moreover, when both earplugs and earmuffs are worn, search times approach those found with no auditory cue, suggesting that sound localization cues are nearly completely eliminated in this condition.
Judgments about Collisions in Simulations of Scenes with Textured Surfaces and Self-Motion: Do Display Enhancements Affect Performance?
Authors: DeLucia Patricia R. , Meyer Les E. , Bush Jason M.
Published: January 2012

To move through the environment safely, people must make effective judgments about collisions. It has been asserted that most studies of time-to-collision judgments are limited due to a lack of visual realism (Manser & Hancock, 1996). Studies that compared performance among displays which differed in realism provided mixed results. We measured judgments about whether, and when, two objects would have collided with each other. Results from simulations of scenes with colored, textured surfaces and a moving observer were mostly comparable to earlier results from simulations of black-and-white, line-drawn objects and a stationary observer (DeLucia, 1995; DeLucia & Meyer, 1999). Texture and self-motion affected performance in a restricted set of conditions and did not eliminate errors due to misleading depth cues. Increases in realism, which incur more costs and computational time, may not always be justifiable from a performance standpoint. Results have design implications for simulators and virtual reality systems.
Performance of Spatially and Temporally Distributed Displays as a Function of Continuous versus Discrete Update Schedules
Authors: Rehfeld Sherri A. , Dan Sloat L. , Payne David G.
Published: January 2012

Generally, there are two ways to present monitored information: a traditional display that spatially distributes information across a screen or a temporally distributed display, which is the presentation of information serially in the center of a screen. Previous studies comparing these display formats have used methodologies in which changes in numerical information only occurred in view of the participant. This is beneficial for tight experimental control, but is not realistic since information can constantly change. The current study compared a spatially distributed display with a temporally distributed display and manipulated the updates to occur either in view, as in previous research, or continuously, even if out of view. Results showed a system response lag time in addition to participant reaction time for realistic settings and an increase in missed events not shown in previous research. These findings suggest that while a temporally distributed display is currently far from implementation, research shows promise for this technology.
Masked Thresholds and Predicting the Audibility of Auditory Displays: An Example for Long-Haul Trucks
Authors: Casali John G. , Robinson Gary S. , Lee Suzanne E.
Published: January 2012

Noise is an unfortunate by-product of our modern industrial society, with effects ranging from minor annoyance, to major risk of hearing damage, to inability to hear warnings and other signals. This paper presents an extensive observational study of the methodology aimed at predicting the audibility of auditory displays and warnings. While the details of the discussion relate specifically to long-haul truck-cab environments, the procedures are generally applicable to any instance where it is necessary for an individual to hear intentional or incidental sounds. The discussion includes spectral measurements of both the background noise and signals, calculation of masked threshold per ISO 7731:1986(E), and analytical comparison of signal spectra to masked thresholds to determine signal audibility. A specific example calculating the audibility of train horns in the truck cab environment is then presented. Recommendations for improving the audibility of signals in noisy environments are also provided.
Human Error in Maritime Operations: Analyses of Accident Reports Using the Leximancer Tool
Authors: Grech Michelle R. , Horberry Tim , Smith Andrew
Published: January 2012

This paper focuses on the problem of lack of Situation Awareness (SA) by mariners. An analysis of a large number of accident reports was conducted in order to determine the extent to which SA is a relevant issue in merchant shipping operations. For the first time use was made of the Leximancer tool due to its ability to rapidly analyse large amounts of textual information. One major function of this research was to examine the accuracy and usefulness of such a data analysis tool by comparing the results of this computer analysis with that of a ‘manual’ analysis (performed by two raters).

Our results underline the importance of SA in decision-making processes in the maritime domain: a large number of investigated maritime accidents were partly due to loss of SA. Also, the results of the Leximancer tool were found to be comparable to the manual analysis, thus suggesting further use of such a system for accident report analysis in other transportation domains.
Hazardous Products in the Older Adult Home
Authors: Nichols Timothy A. , Mayhorn Christopher B. , Whittle Justin D. , Hancock Holly E. , Rogers Wendy A. , Fisk Arthur D.
Published: January 2012

Older adults appear to be particularly susceptible to hazards in the home environment. While some studies have investigated the hazards associated with structural elements in the home environment or specific products such as throw rugs or major appliances, we used a focus group approach to investigate the full range of products with which older adults come in contact and the hazards associated with these products. We conducted six focus groups in the Atlanta area, with 6–8 older adults (age 65–80) in each group. The group discussions were guided by several key topics, including hazardous products in the home and associated hazards. Participants also completed a product usage questionnaire, establishing the representativeness of the sample, as well as providing measures of product hazard perception and product usage frequency. By assessing older adults' awareness and perceptions of hazards through a naturalistic methodology, we provide an initial step in learning how older adults adjust to hazards in the home.
Effects on Spatial Skills after Exposure to Low Frequency Noise
Authors: Ljungberg Jessica , Neely Gregory , Lundström Ronnie
Published: January 2012

A study of spatial skills was conducted with 27 male and 27 female participants. The aim of the study was to examine the post-exposure effect of a complex low frequency noise (21 Hz) on a mental rotation task. It was hypothesised that reaction time and number of errors would increase after 20 minutes exposure to noise, and that persons exposed to more intense noise would exhibit greater impairment. Three groups of participants were exposed to a quite control condition and a noise conditions (either, 77, 81 or 86 dB (A)). After each exposure, subjects completed a mental rotation task where the stimulus consisted of one of three letters presented in five different rotations, showed either normally or mirrored. The participants were asked to respond as quickly and accurately as possible, affirmatively if the letter presented wasn't mirrored and negatively if mirrored. Statistical analysis revealed that the medium intensity level generated post-exposure effects when comparing noise and a quite condition.
Analysis of Distribution, Frequency, and Duration of Naturalistic Lane Changes
Authors: Olsen Erik C. B. , Lee Suzanne E. , Wierwille Walter W. , Goodman Michael J.
Published: January 2012

This paper describes preliminary results of naturalistic lane change distribution, frequency, and duration data collected unobtrusively from 16 commuters using instrumented vehicles. The study was designed to improve upon previous data collection methods and support crash avoidance system development.

A total of 8,667 lane changes (including unsuccessful maneuvers) were identified and classified in terms of severity, urgency, maneuver type, and success/magnitude. The total miles driven was 23,949 (38,542 km) with an average of 37.4 miles (60.2 km) per commute and 2.76 miles (4.44 km) per lane change. More than 37% of lane changes were due to a slow vehicle ahead. The mean duration for 7,192 single lane changes was 6.28 seconds with a standard deviation of 2.0.

Analysis revealed no significant effects for duration. For frequency, significantly more lane changes were completed by drivers on the interstate, perhaps due to traffic density, while sedan drivers made significantly more lane changes than SUV drivers. A significant driver type (vehicle normally driven) by route (interstate or highway) interaction was discovered, perhaps due to driving style. A gender by route interaction was also found.
Effect of Distraction Complexity on Driving Performance and Emergency Event Response
Authors: Manser Michael P. , Even Dana M.
Published: January 2012

Driver distraction is widely accepted as one factor that contributes to automobile crashes. Driver distracters include those objects or events both inside and outside the vehicle that serve to redirect the driver's attention away from the task of driving. Previous research has indicated that various degrees of distraction complexity may influence driver performance differentially. However, these results are mixed and require further examination. The present investigation examines the influence of varying levels of complexity of an in-vehicle distracter on driving performance and on the driver's reaction to an emergency event. Results indicated males exhibited greater standard deviation of lane deviation than females, and both low and high levels of distraction complexity resulted in greater lane deviation than no distraction. The theoretical and practical ramifications of the present research are discussed.
Effects of Age and Memory Grouping on Simulated Car Driving
Authors: Bao Yan , Kiss Miklos , Wittmann Marc
Published: January 2012

The effects of an onboard visual memory task on simulated car driving were investigated in 20 young and 20 elderly drivers. Three experimental tasks (memory, driving, and dual task) were conducted in this study. Grouping of the presented memory words was manipulated by color, size, shape, and location. Results showed that grouping only improves memory for young people, but not for elderly in the memory-alone condition. No memory improvement by the grouping arrangement was found in the driving situation. However, reaction time to red light and number of driving errors showed that grouping did play an important role for elderly, but not for young subjects. The concurrent memory task significantly increased elderly subjects' reaction times. Color grouping, however, led to relatively fast reaction times and fewer driving errors. Possible reasons for the age-dependent grouping effect during driving and the implications of this effect for the development of onboard instruments are discussed.
Human Factors Certification in Civil Aircraft
Authors: Wise John A.
Published: January 2012

The legal version of validation is often called certification. This paper will look at some of the current human factors issues facing the civil aviation industry in a very safe system. Issues to be addressed include the real goals of certification, methods of compliance, automation, and needed changes.
Methods of Assessing Medical Devices
Authors: Klein Devorah E. , Jordan Matthew J.
Published: January 2012

While designing and validating any complex system has challenges, the medical domain has specific requirements which must be considered for a system or device to be successful. The environments, communities of use, and interactions are varied, unpredictable, uncontrolled, and ever-changing. Given the environments, communities of use, and interactions involved with medical devices, successful early and late validation of the device must be informed by the context of use itself. Building “frameworks” which represent the context of use for the device can focus validation goals, methods, and criteria and ensure that validation is directed and appropriate. In this paper we present a process and associated methods for defining the frameworks in which medical devices can be successfully assessed. The phases of the process include Phase1: Definition in which a framework of understanding is built which represents the environment of use, community of users, and the interactions between systems and users for the medical device in development. In Phase 2: Validation the framework which defines the environment of use, community of users, and the interactions between systems and users is used to develop a validation approach and criteria. The developing device is then validated against the framework itself.
The Use of Voice and Head-Tracking for Hands-Free Human-Computer Interaction
Authors: Kancler David E. , Gorman Megan E. , Revels Allen R.
Published: January 2012

This Practitioner Paper discusses the second in a series of studies examining the Voice Head Integrated Control (VHIC) suite, which combines use of voice commands and a head-tracking device as an alternative to the mouse and keyboard. This VHIC system is currently being investigated as a hands-free interface for accessing digitized aircraft technical manuals. The present study was conducted to validate the voice command vocabulary and provide an initial evaluation of the VHIC hardware. Aircraft maintainers from the 445th C-141 Air Force Reserve Unit served as subjects. The current study made use of the fully functioning VHIC system, complete with head-tracking and voice recognition capabilities. User strategies followed on-screen interface characteristics and the user's experience level with computers. Several error categories were tracked and subjective feedback was collected. A series of recommendations are presented which address the strategic application of the VHIC system in an aircraft maintenance environment.
Training Information Management
Authors: Entin Elliot E. , Entin Eileen B. , Hess Kathy
Published: January 2012

A behaviorally-oriented information management training program was designed to help information managers cope effectively and efficiently with large volumes of incoming information. The information management program was evaluated with a posttest-only control group design. Participants performed a situation assessment task by monitoring email traffic to assess an evolving situation and make reports to a commanding officer. As hypothesized participants receiving training were better able than controls to integrate the critical information in the messages and this was reflected in the quality of their situation assessments, which were superior to those of controls. Moreover, trained participants opened significantly higher percentage of critical and relevant messages and a smaller percentage of noncritical messages than controls. The information management training program was deemed a success.
Symposium Using Synthetic Teammates to Train Teamwork Skills: Perspectives and Issues
Authors: MacMillan Jean , Lyons Denise
Published: January 2012

This symposium considers both the challenges and the opportunities for the training of teamwork skills with synthetic teammates. Synthetic entities offer a potential opportunity to deliver simulation-based team training in a less expensive, more convenient, more easily deployed form. They may also increase the quality and quantity of training by creating learning opportunities for the team that might never be encountered in less controlled training with live players. The focus of the symposium is on how synthetic teammates can best be designed and used to train teamwork, guided by learning objectives. The papers in the symposium consider what is needed to create and employ synthetic teammates and synthetic instructors, and cover several application areas, a range of levels of fidelity for the simulation environment and the synthetic teammates, a variety of modeling tools, and several evaluation and measurement approaches. Their common focus is how best to exploit synthetic entities for competency-based teamwork training.
Hybrid Team Training Testbed for Awacs Aircraft Controllers
Authors: Diedrich Frederick J. , Roberts Bruce , Diller David E. , MacMillan Jean , Deutsch Stephen
Published: January 2012

Simulation-based team training has become an important component of preparation and readiness for a variety of military teams. However, despite extensive resource allocation to simulation-based training environments, and to computer generated forces that can act in those environments, there is relatively little research on how synthetic entities can best be designed and used to achieve team training objectives. In this paper, we outline the development of a research program that seeks to define principles of effective team training with synthetic entities. We describe our domain of application (Air Force AWACS Weapons Directors and the pilots they control), team training objectives, the components and capabilities of the simulation, and our plan for using the simulation to evaluate the effectiveness of hybrid team training. Ultimately, this work will result in a series of principles of effective team training with agents that can facilitate the development of hybrid training environments.
Instructorless Team Training Using Synthetic Teammates and Instructors
Authors: Zachary Wayne , Weiland William , Scolaro Daniel , Scolaro Jacqueline , Santarelli Thomas
Published: January 2012

There is a need for simulation-based means to enable single individuals in deployed settings to receive instructorless training of teamwork and cross-platform coordination skills in realistic, mission-oriented scenarios. Synthetic Cognition for Operational Team Training (SCOTT) is a training architecture and method that meets this need by combining advanced human behavioral representation with intelligent tutoring and synthetic battle/work-spaces technologies, and combining them with emerging training methods of intelligent guided practice and objective-based training. The result is a general framework for deployable intelligent guided practice training systems with minimal human and computational footprint. An example SCOTT application is discussed, along with the human behavioral representation challenges posed by the SCOTT architecture.
Behavioral Characteristic of Synthetic Teammates in Simulation-Based Training
Authors: Szczepkowski Michael A. , Ryder Joan , Scolaro Jacqueline
Published: January 2012

Cognitive model-based synthetic teammates allow individuals to engage in guided mission rehearsal when other teammates and/or instructors may not be available. Synthetic teammates employed in a training simulation environment need to behave in a believable manner in order to interact with human teammates effectively. Synthetic teammate developers must consider which types of exhibited behavior are required to provide instruction. Classes of behavior that may be required of a synthetic include individual taskwork, teamwork, and instruction. In addition, the level of human performance emulation, i.e., the degree of competency of these behaviors, needs to be considered. This paper discusses these classes of behavior as well as the appropriateness of performance versus competence modeling. Two examples of synthetic teammate development efforts are presented that illustrate these behavioral characteristics.
I'Ve Got Synthers, Who Could Ask for Anything More?
Authors: Freeman Jared T.
Published: January 2012

Synthetic agents can enrich the environment for practice of complex skills such as airborne command and control. Even in a robust simulation, however, synthetic teammates and opponents are not sufficient to train students. We identify several additional requirements for training: a well-focused curriculum, automated performance measures that drive feedback, strategies for managing real-time feedback and off-line instruction, and learning aids that provide instructional scaffolding for novice users. We describe methods of fulfilling these requirements and recommend future paths of research in the new domain of Intelligent Team Tutoring Systems.
What to do or What Not to Do?: Identifying the Content of Effective Feedback
Authors: Buff Wendi L. , Campbell Gwendolyn E.
Published: January 2012

While previous research strongly indicates that training feedback is more effective when it includes information about the processes underlying performance, rather than only detailing the outcome of learner actions, there are still many open questions about the content of optimally effective feedback. In particular, there is some disagreement in the literature as to whether process-based feedback should focus on a diagnostic critique of the student processes, or simply present information about the processes associated with skilled or expert performance. This research investigates the appropriate content of process-based feedback in a complex, dynamic, military task. Fuzzy logic was used to abstract patterns from performance data and form the basis of process-based feedback. We found that process-based feedback led to significant performance improvements, while outcome-based feedback did not, and that diagnostic feedback did not lead to greater performance improvement than providing information about expert processes.
Impact of Feedback Training in Cbt in Visual Inspection
Authors: Ma Jiao , Drury Colin G. , Bisantz Ann M.
Published: January 2012

Training has been a consistently effective intervention in improving inspection performance. For example, existing inspection training in the aircraft maintenance domain is mainly a combination of classroom and on-the-job training (OJT). Computer-based training (CBT) has been promoted ever since it was introduced to this domain. In this study we investigate how effectively feedback training can be combined with CBT to improve visual inspection performance. Specifically, we examine the potential positive impacts of performance and process feedback in CBT, given in an on-line manner, on a trainee's performance and process assessment in a visual inspection task. The CBT system for inspection we used was adopted from the ASSIST program (Chen, Gramopadhye and Melloy, 2000). In our computer simulation of a familiar situation, participants were asked to search certain areas inside of a car in order to detect certain targets (dropped coins) with the aid of computerized tools (e.g., a magnifying glass, a flashlight), and fill out an inspection report based upon detection. A significant test effect was found across performance measures. Type of feedback training was found to be significant for search time. Performance measures were significantly correlated with target difficulty level; on-line performance feedback was significantly more efficient in improving performance measures than conventional delayed performance feedback; feedback training did affect process assessment measures.
Viewpoint Optimisation for Navigation Using Dynamic Teher
Authors: Wang Wenbi , Milgram Paul
Published: January 2012

Dynamic viewpoint tethering is an innovative display technique which has been proposed to support effective navigation in large-scale virtual environments, by integrating information from different frames of reference. In this paper, we explain the modelling of a dynamic tether and report our latest research findings in investigating the optimal parametric values of tether configuration and their relations to human users' navigational performance. Tethered displays with different parametric configurations were compared. Participants were instructed to control an aircraft-shaped cursor flying in a virtual tunnel and to answer questions about the environment. The results revealed that critically damped tethers supported the best local guidance performance. No significant global awareness performance differences were observed under all display conditions.