bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practicing What We Preach? A Usability Evaluation of Two Electronic Conference Proceedings
Authors: Chaparro Barbara S. , Baker J. Ryan
Published: January 2012

This study reports on the usability of two electronic hypertext conference proceedings from the 2000 Human Factors and Ergonomic Society and Usability Professionals' Association conferences. Eight participants, who were moderately familiar with the conference content, completed five search tasks with the conference proceedings that were distributed on CD-ROM. Assessment of both objective (time, success) and subjective (satisfaction) measures indicate several usability problems with the search and navigational structure for both Proceedings. Developers are reminded that the benefits of electronic informational systems only hold true when usability practices are incorporated into their development process.
If the User Can't Find the Function, It isn't There: Usability of Digital Cameras for Novice Use
Authors: Samman Shatha N. , Kingdon Kelly S. , Norman Krissy , Mock Jessica
Published: January 2012

A prototype digital camera was designed to make setting menu preferences easier for novice users. Twenty-eight individuals (14M/14F) who had no prior experience using digital cameras participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions (current camera or prototype camera). Three measures of usability (performance time on task, number of errors committed, and ease of use) were recorded. Each participant completed four tasks to assess the usability of common digital camera tasks (change picture quality, change date/time setting, ‘zoom in’ on an object, and delete a photo). Performance time and the number of errors committed improved significantly for one task (date/time setting), while the other three tasks assessed showed a similar trend, although not significant. Ease of use was significantly improved for two tasks, while overall ease of use for the prototype camera showed an increase in subjective usability over the current camera. Thus, the design changes implemented in the prototype camera significantly improved some aspects of usability, and showed a positive trend across all measures of usability.
Measuring Engagement in Video Games: A Questionnaire
Authors: Mayes Daniel K. , Cotton James E.
Published: January 2012

Video games continue to grown in popularity and presently account for annual revenues in the billions of dollars. Although the technologies underlying a modern video game are well understood, the characteristics of a game that make it a success are not. The Engagement Questionnaire (EQ) is introduced in an attempt to capture those dimensions that are thought to influence the degree to which a user becomes engaged while playing a video game. Our goal was to develop a metric that could be applied to a broad range of video game genres (e.g., action, adventure, strategy, sports) and video game users (e.g., expert/novice, male/female, young/old). Factor analyses of data representing 243 participants suggested the existence of five stable factors among 46 questionnaire items. These dimensions were labeled Interest, Authenticity, Curiosity, Involvement and Fidelity. Though further empirical testing is necessary, we expect that the questionnaire will prove to be a useful tool for the appraisal of video games, as well as for the identification of critical differences between those who play them.
Integrated, Hands-Free Control Suite for Wearable Computers
Authors: Calhoun Gloria , Grigsby Scott , LaDue Nick
Published: January 2012

This demonstration features a novel control suite that enables hands-free command, click, text and spatial entries for computer control. The Voice/Head Input Controller is particularly suited for wearable computer operation while operator's hands are simultaneously performing field operations.
Educational Design and Learning - The Next Frontier for Human Factors/Ergonomics - Panel Summary
Authors: Smith Thomas J.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this panel is to: (1) introduce the field of educational ergonomics as that branch of human factors/ergonomic (HF/E) science concerned with the interaction of educational performance—learning and teaching—and educational design; (2) address the role that HF/E can play in improving the design of educational technology, interfaces, materials, task requirements, and environments to benefit the performance of students, teachers, and educational systems; and (3) offer differing perspectives on strategic options for broadening the participation of HF/E in the science and practice of education and educational design. The premise of educational ergonomics is that learning and teaching performance to a substantial degree is context specific—specialized in relation to specific educational system design factors—and that ergonomic interventions directed at design improvements therefore can benefit the educational process.
Validating Undergraduate Human Factors Education Using Interdisciplinary Design Projects
Authors: Shattuck Lawrence G.
Published: January 2012

Traditional undergraduate and graduate human factors programs provide students with an excellent education in the theories, tools, and methods used by professional practitioners. However, most programs confine students to projects that can be completed in a ‘pure’ human factors environment. Human factors professionals rarely work in a ‘pure’ environment; in most cases they are part of interdisciplinary design teams. Faculty in the Engineering Psychology program at the United States Military Academy worked with other academic departments to develop four interdisciplinary design projects. Seven students in the Engineering Psychology program served as the human factors ‘experts’ on four different semester design projects, which were completed in May 2001. They used their knowledge of human factors methods and practices to enrich the process and products of the design team. Concurrently, they experienced the challenges of working with student-practitioners from other disciplines. Data were collected through interviews and assessment of written products to determine the degree to which participation in the design teams validated the human factors education received by the Engineering Psychology students.
Human Factors Issues in Fatal Shootings: An Analysis of Four Cases
Authors: Hendrick Hal W. , Paradis Paul
Published: January 2012

Four cases are summarized in which the defendant was charged with first-degree murder, but where the evidence supports a high likelihood of an accidental shooting when analyzed from a human factors perspective. Empirically based knowledge of human behavior in high stress situations is used to understand what likely happened in terms of the defendant's behavior. The handgun involved in one case is evaluated in terms of its ergonomic design deficiencies, and how those deficiencies contributed to a probable accidental shooting is explained. The need for human factors professionals to become involved in serving as expert witnesses in these types of cases is emphasized.
Assessing Traction Demand during Ramp Descent
Authors: Smith Robert H.
Published: January 2012

An attempt is made to further the development of a basis for prescribing traction demand safety factors in ramp descent. The anthropometric and kinesiological approaches are compared. Kinesiological ramp descent data from a young adult population are utilized to extrapolate traction demand requirements to a middle age population. A safety factor of 2 appears adequate for these populations. Further research is needed to develop safety factor data for healthy individuals in older populations. A traction demand variation with age is suggested. A possible explanation is suggested for the rearward direction of applied heel shear forces which occurs during the landing phase of the gait cycle.
Lack of Knowledge about Safety Procedures for Children in Autos
Authors: Leonard S. David
Published: January 2012

There is cause for concern for the safety of children in automobiles because many have been killed or seriously injured in automobile accidents. Had appropriate safety measures been taken in many of these cases, the injuries might not have occurred or might have been less serious. Presumably most caregivers desire to incorporate good safety procedures in their efforts. Failure to do so may indicate lack of understanding by caregivers. The present studies were designed to examine the extent to which people in general are aware of some of the safety measures to be used with children. Two similar questionnaires were used in examining this awareness. Both studies supported the notion that knowledge about safe location for children in the automobiles and about use of safety devices is limited and could be the cause of many unnecessary injuries to children.
The Contribution of Hand Loads to Cervical Disc Compression
Authors: Woldstad Jeffrey C. , Nicolalde Javier
Published: January 2012

Twenty male and female subjects participated in an experiment to measure the activity in neck muscles above C6/C7 resulting from loads held in the hands. Integrated electromyographs (EMGs) were measured for the spenius, levator scapula, and trapezius (two locations) muscles using surface electrodes. Subjects held no load, five pounds, and ten pounds in each hand with the arms hanging at rest, extended in front of the body, or extended to the sides. The results showed that integrated EMG levels increased as the loads in the hands increased. In addition, signals were larger for loads held to the side of the body as compared to the front of the body, and both of these conditions were much larger than for loads held with the arms hanging. The results demonstrate that loads held in the hands add to the compressive force acting on cervical intervertebral discs and contribute to musculoskeletal injury.
Accuracy of a Portable Inclinometer for Recording Frequency of Trunk Sagittal Flexion
Authors: Fathallah Fadi A. , Kato Andrew E.
Published: January 2012

The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of a newly developed portable inclinometer (BackTalk) to capture extreme trunk postural data in occupational settings. The device provides information about preselected flexion angles and their frequency. Four devices were simultaneously compared with an electrogoniometer at various combinations of speed and symmetric/asymmetric postures. The results showed that, overall, the BackTalk devices were very successful in detecting sagittal postures at flexion angles of 30° and 45° for all three speeds. However, the average success rate for identifying postures at 15° was only 54.3%. Therefore, if the device is to be used in situations that are highly dynamic and involve small sagittal angles, it may have a high rate of missed recordings. Nervertheless, the BackTalk could be a useful research tool for quantifying the frequency and level of postural load experienced by industrial workers.
Gender Differences in the Risk of Occupational Low Back Disorders
Authors: Fathallah Fadi A. , Marras William S.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine an existing database of a large group of industrial workers in order to ascertain any gender differences in workplace and trunk kinematics factors, as well as in the risk of low back disorders (LBDs). We found that there is somewhat of a trade-off between the moment created by the object (and its weight) and the lift rate. Females tended to carry lighter-weight objects than their male counterparts; however, in general, they handled more objects per hour. Females also tended to have more maximum sagittal flexion, which also offset the effect of lower moment. However, the overall LBD risk was not significantly different between males and females. This gender-based interactive relationship among risk factors may have important implications on intervention strategies and exposure assessment methods in future epidemiological studies.
The Effects of Load and Speed on Lumbar Vertebral Kinematics during Lifting Motions: A More Detailed Look
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Xiong Jinjun , Bishop Angela M.
Published: January 2012

In this work, we investigated the effects of load weight and movement speed on lumbar vertebral kinematics during lifting task performance, while exploring the feasibility of non-invasive in vivo measurement of vertebral movements. An experiment was conducted in which subjects performed two-handed sagittally-symmetric lifting tasks with the load weight and movement speed systematically varied. Spherical skin-surface markers were strategically placed over subjects' spinous processes and other landmarks representing major body joints. An opto-electronic motion capture system was employed to measure the lifting motions, and a novel method was developed to derive, from the acquired data, the centers of rotation (COR) and angle profiles for individual vertebrae. The angle profiles, quantifying vertebral movement patterns, were characterized by a mathematical function with kinematically meaningful parameters. Statistical analyses were then conducted to examine whether the load and speed exerted significant effects on the COR locations and movement patterns of individual lumbar vertebrae. The results suggested: (1) the COR locations were not significantly affected by the speed or load variation; (2) the movement patterns of L2-L4 vertebrae were significantly affected by the speed but not the load variation, whereas that of L5 vertebra was significantly affected by both. Findings have implications on the relation between lifting dynamics and spinal motion control, as well as on the development of more detailed and accurate biomechanical models for depicting spinal motions and quantifying low-back stress.
Functional Tests for Quantifying Recovery following Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Authors: Sesto M. E. , Radwin R. G. , Zachary S.V. , Rockhill B. J. , Harm C. J.
Published: January 2012

This study considered two computer-controlled tests for quantifying functional deficits in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), known as the Wisconsin Test battery. The gap detection sensory test quantifies dynamic tactile inspection thresholds for areas of the hand innervated by the median nerve. The rapid pinch and release psychomotor test measures the initiation and control of specific muscles innervated by the median nerve motor branch. Subjects were all patients who had undergone carpal tunnel surgical procedures. To date, a total of 30 subjects have been tested pre and post surgery. All subjects underwent a physical examination and nerve conduction studies, completed a symptom survey, and were administered the Wisconsin Test battery prior to surgery. Subjects were tested immediately prior to surgery and again six weeks following surgery. The data indicated that both psychomotor and sensory function for the surgical hands markedly improved postoperatively, whereas the non-surgical hands did not show similar improvements. These tests may be useful to quantify recovery and function following CTS treatments.
Ergonomics Process Consulting - Lessons Learned at a Large Midwest Manufacturer
Authors: Mergen William L.
Published: January 2012

An ergonomics process was created at a large Midwest manufacturing plant that included a unique combination of known best practices for ergonomics programs, behavior-based safety principles, and post-injury management principles. A four-phase consulting process (Discovery, Design, System Up, and System Check) was used to assist the client in tailoring a process to its culture. The process resulted in the formation of six teams, the creation of a steering committee, and the development of a document that describes all aspects of the process. The client's loss frequency rate was reduced by 16% and loss cost rate was reduced by 43% during the first year. Several “lessons learned” were noted during this project. These include: job evaluation tools for supervisors need to be very simple and brief, ergonomics processes may reduce losses sooner than expected, all Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) injuries should be investigated using the referral process created, common tracking forms should have been developed during Design, and job improvement follow-up needed better tracking.
Osha's Citation Practices of Ergonomic Hazards under the “General Duty” Clause
Authors: Purswell J.P. , Purswell Jerry L.
Published: January 2012

The “General Duty” clause of the OSHAct requires that an employer “shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” Prior to the issuance and subsequent rescission of the Ergonomics Program Standard, OSHA had an established policy of citing employers for unambiguous ergonomic hazards in their workplace under the “General Duty” clause. This policy will likely continue even with the rescission of the Ergonomics Program Rule. Two key decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission are discussed which outline the extent to which OSHA may cite employers for ergonomics hazards under the “General Duty” clause.
Comparison of Perceived Discomfort for Static Joint Motions between Male and Female Subjects
Authors: Kee Dohyung , Karwowski Waldemar
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to compare perceived discomfort for joint motions between male and female subjects. Nineteen male and ten female subjects with no history of musculoskeletal disorders participated in the laboratory experiments, where the free modulus method of magnitude estimation was employed for measuring discomfort ratings for static joint motions. The results showed that the joint, joint motions, levels of joint motions and gender significantly affected perceived discomfort for varying joint motions. Based on the relative discomfort index (RDI) defined in this study, two ranking systems, classified by the joints and joint motions, and the joints, were proposed. The rankings were dependant upon the subjects' gender. The rankings for all joint motions except shoulder lateral rotation and for all joints were significantly higher in females than in males. In both male and female, the hip had the largest discomfort values of all joint motions, while the elbow showed lower discomfort than any other joint. The discomfort levels of female subjects for joint motions investigated were, on the whole, larger by about 35% than those of males.
Load Carrying and Corrective Responses to Slip Events
Authors: Cham Rakié , Redfern Mark S.
Published: January 2012

Slips/falls are the cause of numerous injuries in the workplace. Successful recovery from a slip requires biomechanical responses. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of load carrying on corrective responses to slipping perturbations. Ten healthy young adults walked self-paced while body motion and ground reaction forces were collected at 350 Hz. The two conditions were no external load and carrying a 6.8 kg crate. Oil was applied to the floor at some point during multiple trials without the subject's knowledge. During slip events, load carrying affected corrective moments generated at the knee and hip of the leading lower extremity. More specifically, reductions in the flexion moment at the knee and extension moment at the hip were found for loaded conditions. Furthermore, joint kinematics showed that carrying a load reduced knee flexion reactions generated in response to a slipping perturbation under unloaded conditions. Thus, this study suggests that the biomechanical responses were different for load carrying compared to unloaded conditions.
An Ergonomic Evaluation of Instrument Panel Install Using Both a Standard Mechanical Lift Assist and an Intelligent Assist Device (IAD)
Authors: Dawson Derek I. , LeBrell Charles , Foulke James , Pearson Thomas E.
Published: January 2012

An ergonomic evaluation of the Instrument Panel (IP) installation station at the Michigan Truck Plant of the Ford Motor Company provided justification for the design, build and installation of a novel ergonomic tool called, the Intelligent Assist Device (IAD). The evaluation involved the collection of pertinent historical injury data, videotaping tasks for analysis, performing a risk factor checklist review, examination of the existing and next generation IP, and collecting subjective assessments from operators. The information received from the risk factor checklist and subjective assessments were then compiled and correlated against previous injury location and prevalence. This comprehensive examination indicated both the desire and ergonomic evidence to initiate change at the IP install operation. The application of the Intelligent Assist Device at this location is an example of a technology-based solution which has effectively addressed and eliminated many inherent ergonomic issues associated with the original design. This project is part of the continuing effort to improve occupational conditions within Michigan Truck Plant.
Fatigue Induced Risk of Spinal Instability during Manual Materials Handling
Authors: Granata Kevin P. , Slota Greg , Wilson Sara E. , Massimini Amy
Published: January 2012

Risk of occupational low-back disorders may be related to spinal stability achieved during manual materials handling. Stability is controlled and influenced by trunk muscle stiffness, antagonistic co-contraction and reflex response. Fatigue influences each of these factors, suggesting that fatigue may compromise spinal stability. A biomechanical model of spinal stability and experimental data were implemented to evaluate the effects of fatigue. EMG and trunk kinematics from 21 healthy subjects were recorded during static trunk extension exertions and sudden-load trials in fatigued and unfatigued states. The model predicted dramatic reduction in spinal stability associated with fatigue related decrement in paraspinal muscle stiffness and force generating capacity. Empirical data supported the model predictions, demonstrating increased antagonistic co-contraction during fatigued exertions. Results suggest risk of low-back injury from loss of spinal stability is increased during fatigue from manual materials handling.
Expertise and Metacognition in Laparoscopic Surgery: A Field Study
Authors: Dominguez Cynthia O.
Published: January 2012

In challenging cases, surgeons continually assess whether the patient's best interests might be served by converting a laparoscopic case to an open-incision one. Converting in many ways widens the scope and quality of perceptual information available to the surgeon. This research focused on surgical decision making in the context of the decision to convert. A cognitive task analysis effort, involving field observations and a research study, was undertaken to elicit information about decisions made during surgery. Ten experienced (staff) and ten senior resident surgeons were shown videotape from a difficult laparoscopic surgery case. The surgeons responded to structured questions at critical points in the procedure and also provided running commentary as the operation unfolded. Approximately half of the surgeons decided that the case should be converted to an open procedure at some point during the operation. The verbal protocols were analyzed to identify differences as a function of expertise (staff vs. resident) and of the conversion decision (opener vs. nonopener). Staff surgeons expressed awareness of boundary conditions to safe operation more frequently. Further, there was evidence of inappropriately high levels of confidence, yet little evidence of self-criticism (metacognition), among residents who chose not to open.
Iterative Design and Evaluation of New Rigid & Folding Commode-Shower Wheelchairs, a Case Study in Design Research
Authors: Malassigné Pascal , Nelson Audrey L. , Jensen Robert P , Amerson Thomas L. , Rathvon Leah P.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of these projects was to design new and safe commode-shower wheelchairs for use by individuals with spinal cord injuries and caregivers. The need for new chairs resulted from the many safety problems associated with existing models such as inability to fold, patient falls while transferring, development of pressure sores. An iterative process of design, prototype fabrication and clinical evaluation was used to develop both a rigid and a folding shower-commode wheelchair. During this process, new wheelchair features were invented and patented. The shower-commode wheelchairs were successfully evaluated with patients having spinal cord injuries and their caregivers at VA Medical Centers. Questionnaires were developed to assess the chair's features and function. The evaluation results led to the conclusion that the new Shower-Commode Wheelchairs solved all the safety and usability problems found in existing models.
Postural Responses of Blind Adults to a Moving Room
Authors: Ito Kiyohide , Schmit Jennifer , Stoffregen Thomas A.
Published: January 2012

We evaluated the possibility that there may be functional relations between body sway and audition, as predicted by Stoffregen & Pittenger (1995). The experiments were conducted using blind participants, who could be expected to have an increased sensitivity to any functional relation between postural control and audition. Participants stood in a moving room. Ambient acoustic fields were generated in the room from the font wall and participants postural responses to four conditions (room movement 14 cm, room stationary, stand on floor, stand on low balance beam) were recorded. Results show that the standard deviation of body position in the movement condition was different than the stationary condition (t(2) = 5.12, p < .05). Cross-correlation coefficients calculated to assess the coupling of body sway to room movement did not differ in the balance beam (.984) and floor (.957) conditions. In blind adults, body sway was influenced by motion of the room. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that ambient sound fields can provide information that can be used for the perception and control of bodily orientation (Stoffregen & Pittenger, 1995).
LCD versus CRT Displays: Visual Search for Colored Symbols
Authors: Hollands J. G. , Cassidy H. A. , McFadden S. , Boothby R.
Published: January 2012

We examined visual search performance using 52-cm liquid-crystal (LCD) and cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays. Twenty-four participants searched for color-coded navy tactical display symbols using LCD and CRT displays viewed on and off-axis (60 degrees of azimuth). Observers' sensitivity was lower when searching for red and blue symbols (vs. white) viewed off-axis on the LCD, with no comparable problem for off-axis CRT. Colored symbols viewed off-axis on the LCD also produced longer response times in feature search and lower search efficiency in conjunction search. Color coding improved search efficiency overall, relative to an earlier experiment with monochrome (white) symbols (20-80 vs. 200 ms per item). The results argue against the use of current LCD technology for off-axis viewing when color coding is used, but also suggest that LCD and CRT displays are equally effective for on-axis viewing.
The Effects of Speaker Gender, Frequency, and Distinctiveness on Auditory Search Performance
Authors: Coyne Joseph T. , Lee Mark D. , Bowes Pitney , Cunningham Amy N.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of speaker gender, frequency content and distinctiveness on performance in an auditory search task. Male and female voices were manipulated and combined to create several conditions that examined distinctiveness, distracter heterogeneity, and artificially altered sound frequency. Participants were required to monitor four simultaneous streams of auditory data consisting of digits and letters. Participants listened for a target and then indicated which speaker presented the target. No significant differences were found between male and female targets. Participant's ability to localize targets was greatest when targets were distinct from their distracters. This distinctiveness occurred when either gender or frequency differences between the target and distracters were present.
Looking for Moving or Stationary Targets in Dynamic Displays
Authors: Bailey Nathan R. , Scerbo Mark W.
Published: January 2012

Research has shown that searching for the presence of a feature among featureless distractors is easier than searching for the absence of a feature among distractor objects containing the feature. The present study examined motion perception within this context while manipulating motion type and target density. Further, the element of angular expansion was also included as part of the moving stimuli. Using a standard computer interface, participants were asked to respond as quickly as they could to a variety of moving stimuli. Results showed that it takes more time to detect stationary targets among moving distractors than to find moving targets among stationary distractors. Further, adding targets or using coherent motion, facilitated detection times primarily within the absence of motion condition. These findings could have important design implications when constructing dynamic displays that require immediate attention to critical information.
Comprehension of Explicit and Implicit Warning Information in Younger and Older Adults
Authors: Hancock Holly E. , Fisk Arthur D. , Rogers Wendy A.
Published: January 2012

Successful comprehension of warning text necessitates an ability to understand both explicitly stated safety information, as well as information about hazards and safe product usage that may be implied. Comprehension level for this type of text may vary across age groups as a function of normal age-related changes that may be experienced in memory and text comprehension in general. To date, there has been no comprehensive investigation of how well younger and older adults understand explicit and implicit information associated with actual product warnings. In the current study, 43 older and 42 younger adults read text from consumer product warnings and then rated the truth/falsity of statements containing information that was either explicitly stated or implied by the warnings. The results suggest both older and younger adults are able to recognize information that is explicitly associated with an actual product warning. However, they are less able to recognize information that can be inferred from warnings. These data also suggest that older adults perceive themselves to understand consumer warnings fairly well.
Scaling the Severity of Potential Injuries and Illnesses
Authors: Braun Curt C. , Pickett Raymond E. C. , Whitney Dylan D.
Published: January 2012

Warning researchers have established a relationship between the explicitness of warnings and perceptions of product hazardousness and precautionary behavior. Earlier work demonstrated that two warning qualities, injury severity and length of injury, contributed to hazard perceptions. To understand further the hazard conveying qualities of warnings, it is necessary to scale potential injuries and illnesses that might result from product use. Fifty-eight different injuries and illnesses were paired with three different modifiers, mild, moderate, and severe. Severity ratings were obtained from 25 participants using a free-modulus magnitude estimation technique. The resulting ratings were then scaled to produce a continuum of illnesses and injury conditions.
User Interface Design for the Small Screen Display
Authors: Zhao Chen , Zhang Tao , Zhang Kan
Published: January 2012

This research investigates how the type of information display (black and white, color) and the amount of information display affect the users' performance on a memory task. The results suggest type of information display significantly affect user performance. When the display was in color, participants performed better. The amount of information displayed did not affect performance, however post-test ratings showed participants preferred less information and they rated displays with intermediate amounts of information most comfortable. These results may be used to guide more effective design of small screen displays.
From Origin to Aspiration: Development of the University of Minnesota's Human Factors Research Laboratory
Authors: Hancock P.A.
Published: January 2012

This paper details the development of the Human Factors Research Laboratory at the University of Minnesota from its conception to the present time. The account features the intellectual structure and thematic progress through illustrative examples of individual research projects. These examples are given not simply for historical purposes but as specific cases of how Human Factors research can feature in an ever more pragmatic societal environment and therefore come to the fore of the modern University agenda in both education and research.
Determining Voice Strategies for Hands-Free Human-Computer Interaction
Authors: Revels Allen R. , Kancler David E. , Quill Laurie L. , Donahoo Carlton D.
Published: January 2012

This Practitioner Paper examines a cost effective and efficient method to determine voice command strategies for hands-free controls when interacting with computer systems. Specifically, this method is applied to determining the combined use of voice commands and a head-tracking device as an alternative user interface for accessing digitized aircraft technical manuals. Aircraft maintainers from the Springfield, OH Air National Guard F-16 facility and the 445th C-141 Air Force Reserve Unit served as subjects. User strategies appeared to follow on-screen interface characteristics and the user's experience level with computers. Generally, unlabeled icons and buttons elicited a point-and-click strategy, while labeled links elicited voice-only commands. Users with increased familiarity with Windows-based interfaces were prone to a point-and-click strategy, while novices were likely to attempt various function oriented voice commands. Due to the observed user strategies, several issues were identified and a series of recommendations are presented which address the strategic application of a voice command vocabulary to a hands-free user interface.
Alternative Methods of Mitigating Automation Distrust Impacts
Authors: Christopher B. , Wiley MAJ Danny
Published: January 2012

Previous research into the incorporation of configural justification displays in an unreliable automated command and control environment has shown that they significantly improve operator decision time based upon system recommendations for courses of action. The objective of this research was to determine if different styles of configural displays would affect this decision time. Results from experimentation with Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) soldiers shows that the type of justification aid does not affect decision time or accuracy of decisions. Rather, soldiers monitoring these displays may have relied on color rather than spatial plots when periodically asked by the computer to authorize recommendations for courses of action.
Exploring the Characteristics of Effective Teams Using a Cots Team Task
Authors: de Boom Daniel O. , Howell Sarah E. , Ashworth Alan R. S. , Goettl Barry P.
Published: January 2012

In this study we examined the relationship between individual and group factors in the development of team performance in a distributed synthetic task. Individual characteristics included interaction anxiety, learning style, age, and video game experience. Group factors included cohesion, communication, and cooperation. We matched participants on video game experience and divided them into two teams. Teams ranged in size from 5–9 teammates. Over the course of four days of experimentation, participants in both groups learned a complex distributed team task called Microsoft Allegiance. First, participants trained as individuals, then as teams in noncompetitive tasks, and finally as teams in head-to-head competition. Results indicated that teams winning the head-to-head competitions showed no difference on the individual factors. However, winning teams showed higher group cohesion and communication. These results are discussed in terms of learning and performance support for military application of command and control.
Electro-Optic Sensors to Aid Tower Air Traffic Controllers
Authors: Piccione Dino , Krebs William K. , Warren Penny , Driggers Ron G.
Published: January 2012

Background: Tower air traffic controllers separate aircraft to assure safety and expedite the flow of traffic. During poor visibility (e.g., fog) the aircraft landing and departure rate decreases significantly which can result in flight delays. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using electro-optic sensors to enhance tower controller visual capabilities during poor atmospheric or low-illumination conditions. Methods: Day and nighttime visible, mid-and long-wave infrared digital imagery were collected at an airfield. To validate the collected imagery, a human-in-the-loop analytic model was used to predict an average military observer's visual discrimination of a target on the airport surface. Results: The field data collection and model results found that electro-optic sensors, in particular long-wave infrared, improved operators nighttime detection, recognition, and identification of targets on the airfield surface. Conclusions: Actual or potential applications of this research include integrating electro-optic sensors into the tower to improve aircraft movement during poor visibility.
The Impact of Communication Delays on Air Traffic Controllers' Vectoring Performance
Authors: Rantanen Esa M. , McCarley Jason S. , Xu Xidong
Published: January 2012

An experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of communication delays in the pilot—controller communication loop on air traffic controllers' performance and workload. Four levels of constant systemic audio delay (AD), 150, 250 ms, 350 ms, and 1,000 ms, and two levels of variable pilot delay (PD), zero delay and realistic delay, were employed. Vectoring accuracy and the controller's final turn initiation served as dependent variables. Subjective workload was measured by the NASA-TLX workload index. Eight subjects proficient in the task participated in the experiment. Random PD had significant effects on both vectoring accuracy and final turn initiation; accuracy was reduced and initiation times were earlier when PD was added. However, data showed no effect of AD on vectoring accuracy, and no evidence of compensatory strategies in response to increasing AD levels. Results suggest that variability in the subjects' turn initiation effectively masked the impact of even the longest AD of 1,000 ms on vectoring accuracy. The NASA-TLX showed no effect of AD on workload in either PD condition.
Relating Flight Experience and Pilots' Perceptions of Decision-Making Skill
Authors: Goh Juliana , Wiegmann Douglas A.
Published: January 2012

Relationships between flight experience and pilots' perceptions of their ability to perform various aspects of the decision-making process were examined in the present study. Pilots were asked to rate how good they were, compared to the average General Aviation pilot, at monitoring, recognizing, diagnosing, generating solutions and implementing solutions when encountering flight path deviations, changes in weather conditions, mechanical malfunctions and conflicting traffic. Numerous measures of flight experience were collected. Results indicate that more experienced pilots felt that they were better at recognizing problems and implementing solutions, however, they did not necessarily feel more confident in their abilities to diagnosis the underlying causes of the problems. The results have implications for aeronautical decision making theories in general, and the design of flight training curricula in particular.
Change Detection after Preliminary Flight Decisions: Linking Planning Errors to Biases in Plan Monitoring
Authors: Muthard Emily K. , Wickens Christopher D.
Published: January 2012

The present study investigated a link between plan continuation errors and plan monitoring. Pilots were asked to execute a flight plan that traversed through hazardous airspace and then monitor the success of the plan by seeking and detecting changes in the airspace that could affect the safety of the plan. Following change detection, pilots had the opportunity to revise these plans. In nearly one-third of trials, pilots failed to revise flight plans, thereby committing a plan continuation error, and were more likely to do so when plan monitoring was inadequate. Overall, more than half of changes went undetected, though detection response times were improved when changes were relevant to the flight planning task or when traffic aircraft were changed rather than weather systems. Findings imply that plan monitoring is less than perfect, which may be a substantial contributing factor to plan continuation errors.
Nasa Synthetic Vision Ege Flight Test
Authors: Prinzel Lawrence (Lance) J. , Kramer Lynda J. , Comstock J. Raymond , Bailey Randall E. , Hughes Monica F. , Parrish Russell V.
Published: January 2012

NASA Langley Research Center conducted flight tests at the Eagle County, Colorado airport to evaluate synthetic vision concepts. Three display concepts (size “A” head-down, size “X” head-down, and head-up displays) and two texture concepts (photo, generic) were assessed for situation awareness and flight technical error / performance while making approaches to Runway 25 and Runway 07 and simulated engine-out Cottonwood 2 and KREMM departures. The results of the study confirm the retrofit capability of the HUD and Size “A” SVS concepts to significantly improve situation awareness and performance over current EFIS glass and non-glass instruments for difficult approaches in terrain- challenged environments.
Pilot Error in Copying Air Traffic Control Clearances
Authors: Rantanen Esa M. , Kokayeff Nina K.
Published: January 2012

A study investigating the accuracy of pilots' copying air traffic control clearances is described. Twentyfour airline pilots listened to 28 taped clearances and copied them down on an answer sheet using shorthand, longhand, or some combination of these according to their preferences. The copied clearances were analyzed by the number of correctly copied elements, the number of omitted elements, and the number of extraneous elements that were not present in the original clearance. Preliminary results indicate a strong influence of habit and familiar operating environment and procedures on the accuracy of copying unfamiliar information. Common errors included victor-airways copied as jet-airways, low altitudes copied as much higher, and slow speeds copied as much higher. The vulnerability of controller-pilot communications to the effects of unfamiliarity is apparent. A detailed analysis of these data may provide for a better understanding of the shortcomings of controller-pilot communication.
An Analysis of in-Flight Impairment and Incapacitation in Fatal General Aviation Accidents (1990–1998)
Authors: Taneja Narinder , Wiegmann Douglas A.
Published: January 2012

In-flight impairment and incapacitation are defined as states wherein the pilot's ability to effectively control the aircraft is adversely affected. They are of special concern in general aviation given there may be no second pilot to take over the controls. The purpose of the present study was to examine the characteristics of fatal general aviation accidents associated with impairment and incapacitation. A comprehensive review of 2,696 fatal general aviation accidents from 1990–1998 using database records maintained by the NTSB and FAA yielded 216 accidents (8.01%) that had some form of impairment/incapacitation or physiological causes mentioned in the accident report. Impairment due to drugs ( n = 88, 40.7%) and alcohol ( n = 68, 31.5%) were the most common causes. Cardiovascular causes were cited in 12.03% (n = 26) of the cases. Significant relationships were observed between age and impairment/incapacitation due to alcohol, drugs, and cardiovascular causes. Some disparities were observed between the prevalence of alcohol in toxicology samples and alcohol impairment being cited in the accident report as a contributory factor. The analysis provides some insight into the possible causes of pilot impairment and incapacitation in general aviation. Education and risk management training may serve as effective interventions.
Perceptual Aspects of Symbol Shapes and Relations in 3D Aircraft Displays
Authors: Andersson Patrik
Published: January 2012

This report presents two experiments in the area of perspective aircraft displays. The focus was to understand symbolic and symbol relations in the 3D environment. In the first experiment, subjects' ability to distinguish five different aircraft symbol shapes was investigated together with the perception of their heading in the 3D space. The perspective used in this experiment was egocentric. The second experiment investigated the judgment of the spatial relation between an own-ship symbol and a target symbol. Thus, in this case the perspective was exocentric and two aspect angles were used for the camera position. Both experiments were carried out in non-dynamic scenarios. The display character was topographic with a superposed grid on the ground surface. The overall conclusion from the experiments is that judgments of azimuth and elevation are very difficult in these static scenarios. Also, symbol recognition of 3D pictorial symbols is problematic for complicated symbol shapes, depending on different appearances for various symbol headings in the 3D space.
An Application of Neural Network Modeling to Diagnose Eating Behavior of Seniors in Smart Houses
Authors: Kwahk Jiyoung , Williges Robert C. , Smith-Jackson Tonya L.
Published: January 2012

The concept of a Smart House has received research and consumer attention as a promising solution to provide safe and independent living for an aging population. These benefits can be enriched with the incorporation of Senior Healthwatch, a home health monitoring system that collects data from the sensors installed in the house and provides critical information about the residents' health condition during their daily activity. This study introduces a neural network modeling approach combined with cluster and decision tree analyses as a means to develop the inferential logic of Senior Healthwatch. Its role is to convert the data obtained from the Smart House into more meaningful information about the residents' daily activity such as the times for meal preparation, eating, and cleaning. The results of this study can become a major feature in the Smart House technology.
Window of Opportunity: Using the Interruption Lag to Manage Disruption in Complex Tasks
Authors: Miller Sheryl L.
Published: January 2012

Interruption is a fundamental human problem. Past research has focused on how people resume an interrupted task after attending to some unrelated secondary task, ignoring interruptions that are an integral part of overall performance. In many settings, such as air traffic control or in-vehicle navigation, people must integrate the processing of the interruption itself and the resumption of the interrupted task. An experiment was conducted to investigate how people manage interruptions in a team decision-making task where interruptions are an integral part of overall performance. One strategy proposed for managing interruptions is the “rehearsal strategy.” It was expected that people who rehearsed where they would resume the task would be able to overcome the disruption imposed by interruption. The results indicate that people instructed to use this strategy behaved differently than those who were not instructed. However, instruction did not improve performance on interrupted tasks and may even have been detrimental.