bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Label Readability for Over-the-Counter Pharmaceuticals by Elderly Consumers
Authors: Wogalter Michael S. , Dietrich David A.
Published: January 2012

The most common information source for over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals is the container label. Most OTC labels contain so much text that the print must be substantially reduced in size to fit the available surface area. As a consequence, people with vision problems, such as the elderly, have difficulty reading the print. Some OTC drugs are being marketed in containers with easy-open caps to facilitate access (but at the same time, reduce child resistance). The increased surface area afforded by the cap design could be used to enhance the labeling. An experiment compared elders' (mean age of 75) evaluations to different label variants. Experimental bottles contained additional labeling attached to the cap that reiterated and extended some of the most important warnings and instructions. The additional labeling of the experimental bottles had print that was larger than the existing back label, and among them, differed in background color. These bottles were compared to two control conditions (one with the original store-bought label and one with the back and side labels removed). Participants ranked the containers on six dimensions (e.g., noticeability of the label, willingness to read the label, willingness to purchase the product). Results showed that the participants preferred the bottles with the additional cap labeling and most preferred the one with the distinctive fluorescent green color. Implications of these results are discussed.
The Minimal Remote: A Standard Input Device for Consumer Interactive TV
Authors: Angiolillo Joel S.
Published: January 2012

This paper is a polemic and a plea. The almost complete lack of user interface conventions in consumer entertainment equipment, if carried over to the new world of Consumer Interactive TV (CITV), will result in chaos and confusion for CITV users as well as developers.

Interface designers of computer software know exactly what sort of input devices a computer user will have, namely, a QWERTY keyboard with 83 to 103 keys, including 10 to 12 function keys, a control key, escape key, a tilde, slash, and so on. In addition, the user will have a mouse (or an equivalent pointer) with two unlabeled buttons, one for “selection” and the other for “menu.” This standardization of keys and labels allows great freedom in the design of software because software can be designed independently of any hardware. It also permits users to move from system to system with no relearning of the basic capabilities of the physical input device (albeit, how these “key primitives” are assembled into commands may require significant relearning.)

As a community devoted to reducing the anxiety levels of consumers, our goal should be to create the same environment for CITV, a world that is a stranger to conformance and convention today. A basic set of core controls should be present on all CITV devices. We must define these core controls carefully because they will be the tools by which the future shape of CITV applications will be cut. In this paper, I argue that all CITV input devices should include

• a pointer (with associated select key),

• a twelve button dial pad, and

• four function keys.

Individual input devices can enhance this set of “core controls” (as a keyboard can add a separate number entry pad), but they should not omit any of them. I call this CITV input device with only the basic set of core controls a “Minimal Remote.”
Concurrent and Retrospective Verbal Protocols in Usability Testing: Is there Value Added in Collecting Both?
Authors: Page Colleen , Rahimi Mansour
Published: January 2012

This study compared the relative sensitivities of the concurrent and retrospective verbal protocol methods in an error analysis of human-computer interaction. Twelve subjects performed bibliographic retrieval tasks in “walk-up-and-use” usability test sessions. Each subject provided concurrent “think aloud” verbal reports throughout task performance, and then provided retrospective verbal reports while viewing their video taped performance without sound. Verbal reports that related specifically to errors were encoded as mistakes or slips, in an error classification schema which distinguished errors of intent (mistakes), from unintentional errors (slips). These data were analyzed in a 2×2 (error type x verbal protocol) repeated measures analysis of variance. In a second design, verbal protocols were encoded by statement type and analyzed in a 3×2 (statement type x verbal protocol) repeated measures analysis of variance. This study demonstrated an interaction between concurrent and retrospective methodologies and the types of error-related statements elicited. In addition, this within-subjects study supported the findings of the previous between-groups study (Bowers and Snyder, 1990). The findings support the practice of collecting concurrent verbal reports and then following up with retrospective verbal reports to collect additional information about mistakes and complex design problems.
The Role of Individual Differences in Determining Interaction Strategies and Performance on Computer Based Tasks
Authors: Bohan Jennifer A. , Marshall Rafael , Boehm-Davis Deborah A. , Schmidt-Nielsen Astrid
Published: January 2012

In completing any given task, whether it be driving or a computer task, indviduals have a wide array of strategies available to them. Investigations of computer tasks have shown that individual differences of cognitive styles and abilites are related to the types of strategies individuals use to complete the task (Schmidt-Nielsen and Ackerman, 1993). Typically, those who have higher reasoning abilities use more sophisticated strategies for performing the task than those with a lower level of ability. Further, it has been demonstrated that these strategies tend to hold over a variety of tasks. For example, performance on a computer graphing task was shown to be correlated to cognitive reasoning ability. The current study extended the work of Schmidt-Nielsen and Ackerman and found that there were a wide variety of performance strategies and these strategies were correlated with reasoning ability, field dependency, and performance on the noun pair task.
Lessons Learned in the Development of Mobile Electronic Performance Support Systems
Authors: Layton Charles F. , Christodoulou Michael J. , Jackson Joseph T. , Turner Jonathan L.
Published: January 2012

There are a number of interacting constraints that affect the development of mobile electronic performance support systems (Gery, 1991). For example, users frequently want the resources of a desktop computer in a palm-sized box. Hardware technology, however, dictates that the greater the resources, the larger the device. Mobile electronic performance support systems are frequently initiated as a means to ‘automate’ manual processes. However, such processes must be redesigned to match the capabilities and requirements of mobile computing platforms. As a final example, the desktop conventions of “new, open, and save” used when working with documents are not necessarily the best conventions for mobile applications. This paper identifies many of the constraints involved in developing mobile computing applications and discusses them in the context of applications.
Perceived Workload between the Keybowl and the Qwerty Keyboard
Authors: McAlindon Peter , Lee Gene C.
Published: January 2012

The Keybowl alphanumeric input device was designed and developed to totally eliminate finger movement and drastically reduce wrist motion. Typing without finger movement requires a typist to adapt to a new method of key activation. This new method requires new mental, physical, and temporal demands, associated with new levels of performance, effort, and frustration. Together these requirements are measured to produce an overall measure of workload. Keybowl workload requirements are somewhat different than QWERTY keyboard workload requirements. With the significant reduction of finger and wrist motion comes concern over how much workload is expected in re-learning to type with the Keybowl. Typing workload was analyzed via the NASA Task Load Index. Typing workload analyses were performed to determine how the two groups of subjects (Keybowl and QWERTY) compared in terms of overall workload.
Knowledge of Compatibility Rules among Children 2 to 13 Years of Age
Authors: Steenbekkers L.P.A.
Published: January 2012

Lack of data, suitable to be used by designers of daily-life products, was a reason to start a national study on physical, psychomotor and behavioral characteristics of children between 2 and 13 years of age in the Netherlands. Data were gathered on several variables, one of them being technical comprehension. A measuring method was developed to measure knowledge of some commonly used compatibility rules. The results from almost 1000 children showed that age differences can be found at the ages between 5 and 9. For some of the youngest children the test appeared to be just a funny game, while for the older children the test might have been too childish. Influence was found for type of control. Direction of movement and orientation of the control had little influence on the results.
Hazard Level Perceptions of Current and Proposed Warning Sign and Label Panels
Authors: Kalsher Michael J. , Brewster Blair M. , Wogalter Michael S. , Spunar Marilyn E.
Published: January 2012

A growing number of studies have investigated factors associated with various measures of warning effectiveness, including noticeability, comprehension, and most importantly, compliance. Some research has begun to examine the components comprising signs and labels (e.g., signal words, color). However, there has been virtually no research on people's perceptions of sign/label configurations that are currently found on warnings. The present study evaluates the warning styles that are specified in ANSI (1991) Z535.2 and Z535.4 standards, as well as a set of proposed styles. The results confirmed several specifications in current standards (e.g., the signal word DANGER was perceived as more hazardous than the other currently-specified signal words), whereas other specifications were not fully confirmed (e.g., the WARNING configuration as indicating higher hazard than the CAUTION configuration). Some newly developed warning styles (e.g., using the signal word DEADLY and a skull icon) show promise for better signaling highly hazardous conditions.
Design Criteria of an Ergonomic Mouse Computer Input Device
Authors: Pekelney Richard , Chu Robin
Published: January 2012

The rapid growth of graphical user interfaces on personal computers has led to the mouse input device playing a prominent and central role in the control of computer applications. As their use increases, mouse design and comfort issues are becoming more and more critical. This report describes the ergonomic design criteria and resulting product attributes of a commercially successful mouse computer input device. Although well-founded ergonomic principles were incorporated into the design criteria, very little ergonomic research has been published on the design of mice. There is a need for additional research on the ergonomics computer mouse input devices.
Designing User Models in a Virtual Cave Environment
Authors: Brown-VanHoozer Alenka , Hudson Randy , Gokhale Nihar
Published: January 2012

In this paper, the results of a first study into the use of virtual reality for human factor studies and design of simple and complex models of control systems, components, and processes are described. The objective was to design a model in a virtual environment that would reflect more characteristics of the user's mental model of a system and fewer of the designer's. The technology of a CAVE™ virtual environment and the methodology of Neuro Linguistic Programming were employed in this study.
Ecological Interface Design and Fault Management Performance: Long-Term Effects
Authors: Christoffersen Klaus , Hunter Christopher N. , Vicente Kim J.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents a six-month longitudinal study of the effects of ecological interface design (EID) on fault management performance. The research was conducted in the context of DURESS II, a real-time, interactive thermal-hydraulic process control simulation that was designed to be representative of industrial systems. Subjects' performance on two interfaces was compared, one based on the principles of EID and another based on a more traditional piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) format. Subjects were required to perform several control tasks, including startup, tuning, shutdown, and fault management on both routine and non-routine faults. At the end of the experiment, subjects used the interface that the other group had been using to control the system. The results indicate that there are substantial individual differences in performance, but that overall, the EID interface led to faster fault detection, more accurate fault diagnosis, and faster fault compensation.
Ecological Design for a Network Scheduling Interface
Authors: Edlund Carl , Hume Sam , Lewis Michael
Published: January 2012

A motivation in the design of Ecological Interfaces for process control is to augment the strengths of the human operator with the strengths of the automation in the computer system. This is especially important when building interfaces for managing the use of Wide Area Networks (WANs) in enterprise computing. This domain requires network operators to be able to control the allocation of resources and to monitor the occurrence of structural and functional failures. The relationship between the network architecture, infrastructure, traffic characteristics, and pricing scheme is dynamic and highly inter-related. A “Tetris-like”, bin-packing interface is designed based on principles drawn from an ecological user model and a situation theoretic representation of the problem space and the user's task. The effectiveness of this display is based on a number of ecological features whose design is automatically generated through the determination and selection of the interface context.
The Effects of Gender, Wrist and Forearm Position on Maximum Isometric Power Grasp Force, Wrist Force, and their Interactions
Authors: Zellers Kerith K. , Hallbeck M. Susan
Published: January 2012

The interaction of power grasp force and wrist force has not been previously examined. This research not only examined the effect of task (wrist force in flexion and extension with and without simultaneous power grasp force), but the effects of gender, wrist position, and forearm position on maximal static exertions. Gender, wrist position, and task were found to significantly affect both power grasp and wrist forces. Females averaged 59.5% of male power grasp force and 51% of male wrist force. Power grasp force was significantly greater in neutral and extended wrist positions than flexed wrist positions while a neutral wrist position generated significantly greater wrist forces than both extended and flexed wrist positions. Due to synergistic conflicts, grasp force during simultaneous wrist extension force was significantly less than grasp force during simultaneous wrist flexion force (60%) and grasp force only tasks (58%). Wrist extension forces were found to exceed flexion forces which contrasts with previous research studies. In addition, wrist forces during simultaneous grasp force did not differ from wrist forces with fingers relaxed.
Effect of Sit-Stand Schedule on Spinal Shrinkage fn VDT Operators
Authors: Paul Rajendra D. , Helander Martin G.
Published: January 2012

A controlled field study was conducted to measure spinal shrinkage in office employees with sit-stand type workstations. Thirteen office employees, ten healthy and three with spinal disorders participated in the study. Using a stadiometer, changes in stature were measured at 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., all subjects sat for 40 minutes and walked for 20 minutes. Out of the ten healthy employees, six were instructed to stand for 30 minutes four times during the day. The remaining four subjects stood eight times 15 minutes each. Office workers who stood in 30 minute sessions experienced significantly less shrinkage than those who stood in 15 minute sessions. Office workers with spinal disorders also stood eight times 15 minutes each. They incurred a greater variability in the shrinkage pattern.
A Comparative Analysis of Typing Errors between the Keybowl and the Qwerty Keyboard
Authors: McAlindon Peter , Stanney Kay , Silver N. Clayton
Published: January 2012

The Keybowl keyboard is the first known keyboard alternative to totally eliminate finger movement and drastically reduce wrist motion. With the significant reduction of finger and wrist motion comes concern over where the repetitive forces are being transferred. In typing with the Keybowl, biomechanical requirements are somewhat different than those in using a QWERTY keyboard. One way to help determine how well typists perform biomechanically is through keystroke error analysis. Typing performances were therefore analyzed via keystroke errors to determine if Keybowl “key” activation was different from QWERTY key activation. An error analysis for each character, hand, and gender was performed. This analysis has built a foundation for comparing two very different types of upper extremity motions and how they might affect a proficient QWERTY typist's performance in typing with the Keybowl.
Prediction of Two-Person Team Lifting Capacity
Authors: Rice Valerie J. , Sharp Marilyn A. , Nindl Bradley C. , Bills Randall K.
Published: January 2012

Predictive models for team lifting capacity are important for task and equipment design, as well as worker selection and placement. The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction equation for single gender and mixed gender two-person team lifting from the floor to knuckle height. Men (n=23) and women (n=17) were combined into teams of two men (n=26), two women (n=24), and one man with one woman (n=25). Independent variables included incremental dynamic lift, 38 cm upright pull, dead lift, fat free mass, and body mass. A least squares linear regression was used. In addition, an equation was developed from deadlift strengths only. The lightest individual deadlift and the sum of the individual deadlifts were the best predictors of team lifting capacity (R2 = 0.90, SEE = 16). The results indicate that two-person team lifts to knuckle height are determined by the weaker team member.
Ergonomic Evaluation of the General Purpose Workstation on a Space Mission
Authors: Whitmore Mihriban , Mount Frances E.
Published: January 2012

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory (HFEL) at the Johnson Space Center conducted an ergonomic evaluation of the General Purpose Workstation (GPWS), a glovebox-type workstation flown on one of the Spacelab Life Sciences missions. The HFEL study consisted of:

(1) Crew evaluations via pre-flight, in-flight questionnaire and structured post-flight interview, and (2) Video analysis. Findings indicate that the workstation design was acceptable for performing dissection tasks. The crew reported that the task distribution between operators was completely acceptable. Based on the video analysis and the crew comments, the glove interface was found to be critical for crew comfort. A follow-up evaluation is planned for an upcoming mission to evaluate a materials science glovebox and the design impact on posture. Additional microgravity evaluations are planned to obtain objective data on postural changes while working at different gloveboxes.
Participatory Ergonomics for Reengineering in a Chemical Fiber Company
Authors: Nagamachi Mitsuo , Tanaka Takeo
Published: January 2012

Japan faces the big problems of slow recovery from recession, strong yen, aging society and so forth. Nowadays, Japanese companies try to implement a variety of survival straregy in the company and then an intervention of “Kaizen” is not so powerful to solve these problems and to survive as it used to be. This paper deals with a reengineering participatory ergonomics and macroergonomics applied to a chemical fiber company.
The Challenge: Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles to Change
Authors: Brown Ogden
Published: January 2012

A broad constituency for change in the workplace has emerged which clearly argues for implementation of diverse strategies to create change. A new vision of what constitutes effective work systems dominates management thought: the ‘transformed’ or high involvement organization. Despite reported gains in performance and the growth of innovative practices, the majority of American firms still operate on the mass production model. Why? Clear and identifiable obstacles to implementing change impede or block organizational transformation. These obstacles and strategies to overcome them are discussed.
Recovery from Strain under Different Work/Rest Schedules
Authors: Boucsein Wolfram , Thum Michael
Published: January 2012

Measures of psychophysiological recovery were used to evaluate two rest break schedules; 7.5 minutes of rest after every 50 minutes of work versus 15 minutes of rest after every 100 minutes of work. Eleven examiners using a prototype computer system in the European Patent Office worked under both work/rest schedules. Electrodermal activity, heart rate, respiratory frequency, pulse wave transit time, neck electromyogram, and gross body movements were continuously recorded. Measures of emotional well-being and body comfort were obtained eight times per work day. Heart rate variability was significantly higher under the short break schedule, indicating decreased mental strain. Break duration and time of measurement interacted significantly for electrodermal responses, indicating that emotional strain was reduced under the short break schedule until mid-day, and under the long break schedule in the afternoon. The results indicate that a switch to longer breaks in the afternoon may be favorable during highly demanding computer work. Furthermore, it could be demonstrated that psychophysiological measures are useful for the evaluation of work/rest schedules, even if performance data are not available.
A New Approach to Collecting Survey Data: An Item Response Icon Scale (IRIS)
Authors: Herbert Leslie Beth , Tepas Donald I.
Published: January 2012

Obtaining worker survey data can be a time consuming process. A survey often employs a large number of items, and considerable effort is required to assure that the items used will be understood by the target worker population. To facilitate the research process in a diverse worker population, a five-point Item Response Icon Scale (IRIS) was developed using the symbols found in Wingdings, a standard font included in many microcomputer word processing programs. The IRIS and a five-point verbal Likert-type Scale were found to be parallel forms, with demonstration of statistically significant parallel forms reliability and convergent validity. These findings, along with that of discriminant validity, indicate that IRIS and Likert-type Scale produce interchangeable data when given to individuals with reading skills. This suggests that the IRIS may be a valuable design tool for collecting survey data from worker groups with diverse reading skills and/or from different cultural backgrounds.
A Temporal Factors Battery for Studying Individual Differences in Perception
Authors: Jones Marshall B. , Kennedy Robert S.
Published: January 2012

Individual differences in perception have drawn increased attention from training and task-performance communities. If perceptual tests are to be utilized to train, predict, or optimize performance, then they need to be studied and evaluated as differential measures. In this study, the reliability and individual differences for a perceptual test battery (seven tasks) were investigated. The participants (10 males, 11 females) completed five trials of the test battery within a ten day span. In general, the results of this study are positive. Six of the seven tasks showed sizable individual differences and four of the seven were reliable. The three tasks that showed unreliability have since been modified and need to be formally studied.
Inter/Intra Correlations of Mental Aptitude & Computerized Visual Temporal Factors
Authors: Silver Ned C. , Kennedy Robert S. , Larson B. M. , Ritter Alysia D.
Published: January 2012

Temporal visual acuity is studied in the laboratory using flicker, simultaneity, and dynamic visual acuity. The purpose of the present study was to develop further and examine psychometrically a battery of seven temporal acuity tests that could be used for selection and training, if they had sufficient factorial sickness and minimal overlap with existing global measures of intelligence. A sample of 56 undergraduate students completed four sessions of the temporal factors battery, the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), and 24 subjects provided scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Results showed that reliability was within the acceptable range for the Search, Dynamic Visual Acuity, Phi Phenomenon, Critical Flicker Fusion, and Masking. For the most part, the temporal factors battery did not correlate significantly with the highly reliable ASVAB or SAT, implying that these temporal factors are somewhat independent of a general intelligence factor. The relevance of these constructs for industrial and military tasks is discussed.
The Effects of Self-Control and Perceived Control on Team Processes
Authors: Weaver Jeanne L. , Bowers Clint A. , Mourra Kareen A. , Rhodenizer Lori G.
Published: January 2012

Although there is an extensive literature regarding the individual and stress, it is critical for researchers to gain an understanding of the impact of stressors on teams due to the increasing number of jobs in both the military and civilian sectors that require groups of individuals to work together effectively in teams. The current study sought to meet this need by investigating the relationship between an individual difference characteristic of team members (self-control), stressor condition, and indices of coping. In particular, it was of interest to determine the effects of self-control and stressor condition, manipulated in terms of perceived stressor control, on coping assessed via self-report and coping communications between team members. Results provided mixed support for the hypothesized relationships between these variables with low self-control teams reporting different coping behaviors than high self-control teams. Results also revealed self-report and communication coping differences as a function of stressor condition. The findings are discussed in terms of possible interventions for teams performing under stress.
Usability and Performance Testing of Hand-held Data-entry Devices for Navy Shipboard Damage Control and Fire-fighting Environments
Authors: Broyles James W. , Christie Michael
Published: January 2012

Portable, hand-held, data-entry devices were evaluated for intended use by shipboard engineering repair team personnel for improving on-scene casualty reporting of damage control and fire-fighting efforts. Current on-scene reporting methods use pre-formatted damage control messages, hand carried from the scene of the casualty to the repair lockers, and often rely on two-way radios for rapid transmission of critical casualty information. During the initial reporting period, this process is often confusing, time-late, and sometimes ambiguous or error-prone. Five off-the-shelf data entry devices were tested for usability and performance for data input and display of casualty information in a laboratory setting at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, with follow-on field testing done by damage control and fire-fighting personnel assigned to Fleet Training Center, San Diego and Detachment Treasure Island and the Afloat Training Group, Pacific. Demonstration of these devices, lessons learned on usability testing and building of cooperative research networks between users and the training community will be described.
The Comprehensibility and Legibility of Twenty Pharmaceutical Warning Pictograms
Authors: Ringseis E. L. , Caird J. K.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of the reported three phase study was to test the comprehensibility and legibility of twenty prescription warning labels that were likely to have adverse effects if taken incorrectly and to redesign those that were poorly understood. The underlying message or warning did not achieve an eighty-five percent comprehension level in sixteen of the twenty pictorials. Through an analysis of errors made by first phase participants and the incorporation of common elements suggested by a diverse focus group, ten of the pictorials were redesigned. Comparisons between pre- and post-redesign comprehensibility revealed significant improvements for eight of the ten labels for a younger test sample and three of ten for an elderly sample. Participants also indicated that they preferred the redesigned labels. Discussions center on pharmaceutical pictogram design guidelines and comprehension standards.
Enhancing Human Reliability Analysis through Visualization: First Steps
Authors: Richards Robert E. , Novak Steven , Haney Lon N. , Romero Henry A. , Blackman Harold S.
Published: January 2012

Over the last 15 years practitioners and researchers in the area of human factors and human reliability analysis (HRA) at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) have been developing improved methods and tools for performing HRAs. During this last year a major focus has been placed on applying visualization to enhance HRA processes and the communication of HRA results. The team has explored various metaphors, concepts, and has built some initial visualization prototypes. This paper is a summary of the project's progress to date with emphasis on the conceptual and theoretical development to date. Secondarily, the paper describes, briefly, some of the prototyping efforts.
Control Room Human Factors Assessment at a Bulgariannuclear Power Plant
Authors: Fleger Stephen A. , McWilliams Michael R.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents the results of a preliminary assessment of human factors concerns associated with the six reactor control rooms at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant in Bulgaria. This initiative was sponsored by the Committee of Energy, Bulgaria, as part of a multi-faceted project that examined emergency operating procedures, training, and risk-based maintenance practices at Kozloduy. The goal of the study was to determine the overall adequacy of the interfaces, from a human error prevention perspective, between operator and plant processes as found in the control rooms, and if warranted, to develop a program plan for conducting subsequent detailed control room design reviews. The need for this study was stimulated in part by a report prepared by the International Atomic Energy Agency which found that WWER-440 model 230 reactor control rooms were in urgent need of human factors attention. This paper summarizes the findings from the human factors portion of the study, and discusses potential concerns associated with applying U.S. developed human factors engineering criteria to an eastern European nuclear power plant.
Enhanced Motorcycle Visibility through Use of Motorcycle Conspicuity Enhancement System
Authors: Vredenburgh Alison G. , Cohen H. Harvey
Published: January 2012

The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is the violation of the motorcyclist's right-of-way by another vehicle driver. There are two factors in the causation of multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles. The first factor concerns design and the second factor involves human performance capabilities. The purpose of this study is to design and test a Motorcycle Conspicuity Enhancement System (MCES) by using a similar methodology as that used by Ramsey and Brinkley (1977) who tested various daytime conspicuity enhancement devices. The following study uses a similar method as that used in the 1977 study. Several phases are required to complete the design and testing of the MCES. First, a device that can be used for testing in the next phases was developed. In the second phase, the device in configured; and finally, in the third phase, it will be tested on the road. A motorcycle and driver will be positioned on a side street perpendicular to the traffic flow. During one hour test periods, the MCES will be mounted and operating for 30 minutes and then dismounted for 30 minutes. Variance and Chi-square analyses will be used.
The Effects of Area Familiarity and Navigation Method on ATIS Use
Authors: Hulse Melissa C. , Dingus Thomas A. , McGehee Daniel V. , Fleischman Rebecca N.
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the driver performance and behavioral interaction results of a comparison between visitors to a major city (Orlando) and local drivers while using differing navigation configurations of an Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS). The system utilized for the study was TravTek, a device which provided in-vehicle information via color touch screen CRT, steering wheel buttons, and synthesized voice. The TravTek driver interface was developed with the intent of providing navigation, service and attractions, and roadway incident and traffic information to the driver. Both visitors and local users tested six different navigation-aid configurations. The six navigation-aids included: static turn-by-turn graphics and a moving map both with and without voice, a paper map and a textual direction list. The research showed that visitors drove more cautiously, but they made more glances to the navigation-aids when compared to local users. In addition, visitors went off-route and got lost less frequently than local users. Visitors apparently were more careful in driving and navigating to their destinations.
When Should Auditory Guidance Systems Tell Drivers to Turn?
Authors: Green Paul , George Kellie
Published: January 2012

This two-part experiment examined how far from an intersection an auditory route-guidance system should present the final turn instructions (e.g., “Turn right.”). In part 1, 48 drivers followed instructions from a simulated in-vehicle navigation system (“In approximately 2 miles, turn right at the traffic signal”), responding “Is this it?” when they thought they had reached the desired intersection. In response, the computer gave the appropriate guidance (“No, continue…” or “Turn…”). In part 2, they repeatedly approached 2 different intersections. Feedback from previous trials (“too far,” “too close,” “OK”) was used to adjust when messages (e.g., “Turn left.”) were presented.

Regression analysis revealed that last turn messages should be provided approximately 450 feet before an intersection (approached at 40 mi/h), with that value being adjusted 15 feet for each mile per hour change. Adjustments are also made for gender (plus or minus 56 feet), age (plus or minus 60 feet), and turn direction (plus or minus 48 feet).
Effects of Rotation and Location on Advanced Traveler Information System Displays
Authors: James Christina , Ehret Brian , Philips Brian , James W. Spencer , Alicandri Elizabeth
Published: January 2012

This experiment compared the performance of rotated to conventional Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) displays. Rotated and conventional ATIS displays were presented in two locations: Heads-up display (HUD) and instrument panel mounted (IPM). Using a part-task driving simulator, subjects evaluated whether an intersection presented on an ATIS display matched the intersection they were approaching. The results indicated that benefits of rotated displays may be location dependent. Although the results do not clearly indicate an optimal display rotation, the HUD location resulted in improved older driver performance.
Analysis of the Influence of Traffic Information Messages on Route Selection
Authors: Fain W. Bradley
Published: January 2012

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can reduce traffic congestion by displaying congestion-related delay information on roadside variable message signs or in-vehicle displays. Message format and content may have a significant impact on the percentage of drivers who decide to make a route diversion. In this study, the effect of various traffic information message types on driver routing decisions was evaluated. Results suggest that messages including both an advisory and a descriptive component promote situation awareness and rapid decision making, both of which are critical for this application.
Drivers' Detection and Identification of Head-up versus Head-down Telltale Warnings in Automobiles
Authors: Grant Barry S. , Kiefer Raymond J. , Wierwille Walter W.
Published: January 2012

Previous automotive head-up display (HUD) research reported in the human factors literature has focused almost exclusively on the presentation of speed information. This paper, however, reports the results of a study which focused on telltale warning detection and identification. In this on-road study, eight younger (21 to 36 years) and eight older (63 to 72 years) drivers were tested. During a short familiarization drive, an unexpected brake telltale was presented up to four times in either a head-up or head-down display condition. The ability of drivers to detect (i.e., visually fixate upon) and identify (i.e., report) the brake telltale was assessed via self-reports and video analysis of the drivers’ eye movements in response to telltale onsets. Later in the study, drivers were explicitly instructed to perform various tasks, including telltale detection, under both display conditions. Detection rates for an expected brake telltale were analyzed. Results of the study suggest that drivers will detect and identify briefly presented telltale warnings sooner, and with greater probability, when they are presented on a HUD as opposed to a conventional head-down display.
The Need for Sleep: Discriminating between Fatigue-Related and Nonfatigue-Related Truck Accidents
Authors: Sweeney Margaret M. , Ellingstad Vernon S. , Mayer David L. , Eastwood Mary D. , Weinstein Elaine B. , Loeb Bernard S.
Published: January 2012

Truckdriver fatigue is a major factor in driving accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board found fatigue to be the most frequently cited probable cause (31%) of fatal-to-the-truckdriver accidents (1990). This study examined the factors affecting fatigue in truckdrivers. One hundred and seven single vehicle, heavy truck accidents were investigated and classified as either fatigue-related or nonfatigued-related accidents. Measures from the 96 hours previous to the accident were obtained from the drivers’ log books including the amount of time awake, driving, on-duty, and sleeping in the 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours before the accident. A multiple discriminant analysis showed that the duration of the last sleep period, the amount of time spent sleeping in the past 24 hours, and the presence of split sleep periods were the factors that best discriminated between the fatigue and nonfatigue related accidents. The implications for regulations and training are discussed.
A Comparison of Four Interfaces for Selecting and Controlling Remote Cameras
Authors: Folds Dennis J. , Beers Tonya M. , Stocks Dana R. , Coon Vicky E. , Fain W. Bradley , Mitta Deborah A.
Published: January 2012

Many Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) rely heavily on remote cameras for detecting and verifying incidents, and for maintaining surveillance of the roadway system. A TMC operator may have access to dozens, or even hundreds, of remote cameras. In the present experiment we compared four interfaces ( joystick, keyboard, mouse, and touchscreen) for selecting and controlling remote cameras. Preset cameras (i.e., views were restricted to a predefined set of pan, tilt, and zoom coordinates) were also compared to manual cameras (i.e., no presets). The touchscreen interface was found to be more prone to produce errors in selecting cameras. Preset cameras were found to be superior to manual cameras in most aspects. The good performance of subjects using the keyboard interface is especially noteworthy. Implications for TMC design are discussed.
The Advising Workbench: Participation-Based Development of a Software Environment to Support Student Advising
Authors: Sanderson Penelope , Iozzo Nick , Buberel Jason , Au Irene
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the development, design, and evaluation of the Advising Workbench (AWB), a software development environment being developed at University of Illinois to support students, faculty, and professional advisors in the advising process. A participatory design strategy is being used with human factors design students taking part in the development of the AWB as researchers, designers, evaluators and, of course, as eventual users. Various systems-oriented conceptual tools have been used during the development of the AWB, such as hierarchical task analysis (HTA) and link analysis. Most notably, the AWB accesses University of Illinois course information from the World Wide Web (WWW). The AWB represents a test of many concepts, such as (1) the viability of tying student advising support to sources on the WWW, (2) the effectiveness of a large-scale participatory design exercise with human factors undergraduate students, and (3) the adequacy for naive users of our interpretation of the standard Macintosh interface. The AWB has excited considerable interest and support on campus, and early feedback from field testing is encouraging.
Tactical Information GUI Engineering & Requirements Specification (TIGERS): A Top-Down HMI Engineering Process
Authors: Wallace Daniel F. , Dawson John A. , Blaylock Clent J.
Published: January 2012

The actual design of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for supervisory control systems largely falls to software developers, as opposed to qualified human engineers (HEs). This is due in large part to the disconnect among the primary players (operational subject matter experts (SMEs), software developers, & human engineers) and the lack of a suitable communications vehicle to bring all these critical perspectives to bear in the design process. We define a process, TIGERS (Tactical Information GUI Engineering & Requirements Specification), which provides a vehicle whereby SMEs can play a more active role in defining the system “process” from a top-down perspective. Together with a human engineer, the SME articulates the critical decisions to be made, the information, and information sources required to support each decision. This articulation uses “operational sequence diagrams” (OSDs) as the primary tool or medium for communication. Once the OSDs are so articulated, the human engineer can better define the optimal display format of that information, define the critical system events that impact that decision, and obtain validation reviews from the SME and developer. This articulation of the tasks, and information requirements are then sufficient to permit actual system design. Byproducts from this process are workload simulation parameters, explicit documentation of the HMI design process, and a traceability matrix to support design specification. We present this approach, provide two case studies, and identify how it can be applied to other systems development projects.
Computer Modeling of a Nuclear Power Plant Operating Crew to Aid in Analysis of Crew Size Issues
Authors: Plott Beth M. , Scott-Nash Shelly , Hallbert Bruce P. , Sebok Angelia L.
Published: January 2012

An analytical approach to addressing the implications of nuclear power plant shift sizing is needed as an augmentation to the classical empirical approach. The research reported in this paper was to evaluate the feasibility and validity of one potential analytical approach as a means of evaluating the consequences of crew reduction on crew performance in a nuclear power plant setting. The approach selected for analysis was task network modeling and simulation using a tool named Micro Saint. Task network modeling allows the human factors engineer to extend the information from a task analysis and generate a computer simulation of crew performance that can predict critical task times and error rates. Through modeling, the current and proposed processes can be evaluated and analyzed in order to understand, identify, and test opportunities for process improvement or reengineering.

For this effort, models of a conventional nuclear power plant during four extremely demanding scenarios were developed. Task analysis and timing data were collected at the Imatran Voima Nuclear Power Plant at Loviisa, Finland. The task analyses were collected over a two week period by interviewing reactor operators, reviewing procedures, and conducting walk-throughs. We then refined the models and incorporated workload modeling constructs. At the completion of the modeling effort, the models were executed and the data collected were used to predict crew performance in varying staffing conditions.
Medical Case Rounds: A Medium for Training and Studying Real-Life Decision Making
Authors: Xiao Y. , Milgram P. , Doyle D.J.
Published: January 2012

Case rounds are a prominent and important means of training in medical domains. As part of a field study of anesthesiologists’ problem solving activities, we audiotaped the discussion of 10 cases spreading over 4 case rounds. This paper describes the method used in data collection and analysis, followed by the major findings of the study. The study identified three types of skills transferred in case rounds: procedural knowledge, sensitivity to precursors of potential problems, and the ability to prepare for contingencies. The study also showed the potential of case rounds in studying cognitive activities in naturalistic settings.
Effects of Multiple-Signal Discrimination on Vigilance Performance and Perceived Workload
Authors: Grubb Paula L. , Warm Joel S. , Dember William N. , Berch Daniel B.
Published: January 2012

Prior vigilance studies have shown that successive monitoring tasks involving absolute judgments are more capacity-demanding than simultaneous tasks which are comparative in nature. Most of these data stem from experiments utilizing simple discriminations and single-target displays, and, consequently, little is know regarding performance on sustained attention tasks with more complex displays. Observers in the present study monitored either one (O-bits display uncertainty), two (1-bit display uncertainty), or four (2-bits display uncertainty) indicators on a simulated aircraft display for the occurrence of critical signals presented in either a simultaneous or a successive format. Results indicated that correct detections declined as display uncertainty increased, and that this effect was more pronounced in the simultaneous format. Moreover, workload scores increased with display uncertainty, particularly in the simultaneous condition. These findings suggest that in more complex monitoring situations in which there is a scanning imperative successive tasks may have an advantage over their simultaneous counterparts.
The Conspicuity of Flashing Lights as Marine Aids to Navigation
Authors: Laxar Kevin V. , Benoit Sandra L.
Published: January 2012

Mariners frequently have trouble distinguishing lighted aids to navigation in areas with a high density of background lights. The Coast Guard is seeking ways to enhance the conspicuity, or likelihood of being noticed, of these aids. Literature has shown that a flashing light is more conspicuous than one that is steady. To improve conspicuity by determining optimal flash characteristics, we had 20 observers search for a flashing point of light among backgrounds of steady lights on a CRT screen. In single 360-trial sessions, observers indicated which of five screen sectors contained the flashing target, and accuracy and response time were recorded. Targets were flashed at 1, 2, and 3.85 Hz, each at duty cycles of .3, .5, and .8. An ANOVA showed significant effects of frequency, duty cycle, and background light density. Search time increased with number of background lights. Conspicuity improved as frequency increased and as duty cycle decreased.