bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Haptic Feedback as a Supplemental Method of Alerting UAV Operators to the Onset of Turbulence
Authors: Ruff Heath A. , Draper Mark H. , Lu Liem G. , Poole Michael R. , Repperger Daniel W.
Published: January 2012

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators have identified sudden turbulence as being potentially detrimental to safe and effective UAV control. This is especially true for those UAVs that require direct manual control in order to land. Turbulence is currently indicated solely by an unexpected perturbation of video images being transmitted from a UAV-mounted camera to the operator control station. This study investigated the usefulness of haptic feedback technology to provide the UAV operator with an enhanced indication of the sudden onset of turbulence. Visual feedback was supplemented by haptic feedback applied directly to the operator's control stick, providing a redundant kinesthetic alert. Five rated pilots performed 16 simulated UAV landing trials in a within-subject design with four independent variables: haptic feedback (off, on), turbulence strength (mild, severe), turbulence direction (primarily horizontal or vertical), and proximity to the runway when the turbulence occurred (near, far). Dependent measures included subjective assessments of situation awareness at turbulence onset, assessments of landing difficulty and landing performance, and post-test workload ratings and preferences. Results indicated that awareness of turbulence was significantly improved in the haptic feedback condition. Participant comments indicated that haptic feedback was a useful tool for the task, however, the magnitude of the control stick force deflections was judged to be too severe for actual use. The application of haptic feedback technologies to UAV interfaces is discussed and current research directions are described.
The Effect of Visual System Time Delay on Helicopter Control
Authors: Jennings S. , Craig G. , Reid L. , Kruk R.
Published: January 2012

There is interest in the development of synthetic visual systems to improve the capability of aircraft to takeoff and land in poor visibility. These systems often have inherent processing delays that can affect a pilot's ability to control an aircraft and a pilot's sense of orientation. The goal of the current study was to determine how much time delay a pilot could tolerate before control was affected, and whether physiological effects would be apparent at the same point. Pilots hovered at a predetermined position in a full flight simulator equipped with a Computer Image Generation (CIG) system and a helmet mounted display. The pilot's visual image was delayed by 67 to 334 milliseconds and varying levels of turbulence were applied to increase the task difficulty. Pilot performance was assessed by collecting objective data on aircraft position error. Handling qualities ratings and reports of physiological symptoms were collected by questionnaire. The results showed that visual time delay increased the variability of position error when as little as 134 ms of delay was encountered. At long delays, sickness symptoms were reported in addition to handing qualities decrements. Turbulence had a minimal effect on performance with long time delays, however it resulted in increased station keeping errors and degraded handling qualities at low delays.
Display Concepts Supporting Crew Communication of Target Location in Unmanned Air Vehicles
Authors: Draper Mark H. , Geiselman Eric E. , Lu Liem G. , Roe Merry M. , Haas Michael W.
Published: January 2012

Current unmanned air vehicle (UAV) reconnaissance missions often require a high degree of crew coordination to successfully locate and identify ground targets. A study evaluated information conveyance display concepts designed to expedite transfer of target location information between two UAV operators. One crewmember, the Sensor Operator (SO), was responsible for locating and identifying targets by controlling a gimbaled camera's viewpoint. The second crewmember, the Air Vehicle Operator (AVO), obtained knowledge of potential target location and had to direct the SO to view the point of interest (POI). Independent variable included four display concepts superimposed on the SO's camera-view display (baseline: no added symbology, floating compass rose, telestrator, and combined compass rose and telestrator), two levels of initial target distance (near, far), and two repetitions. Dependent measures included time to designate target, slew path efficiency, situation awareness (SA) metrics, AVO secondary task workload metrics, and level-of-communication ratings. Twelve naïve participants acted as SO's while four rated pilots were trained on task and served as AVO's. Results revealed that conditions utilizing the telestrator concept resulted in significantly better performance, lower AVO workload, and less verbal communication then the baseline and compass rose conditions. The telestrator concept may have additional utility for potential targets identified by sources external to the UAV crew.
Can Subjects Perceive Simultaneous Verbal Messages with Correct Localization?
Authors: Chen Fang , Bladh Ulf
Published: January 2012

In most aircrafts today, there is no support for simultaneous communication. This study investigated the human perception of three-dimensional auditory information under noise and mental stress conditions. The task was to perceive the location and the verbal contents of spoken messages. The perception of the location of the aural message was not as good as the understanding of the verbal messages themselves. However, noise and mental stress had significant effects on the performance.
Security Education to Gardeners' Tasks
Authors: Goebel Marilia
Published: January 2012

The development of agriculture was essential to the process of keeping human beings on earth. In order to increase the productivity men developed a number of techniques for vegetal culture. Nowadays most activities are highly technical, but some are still done “like craft work” for example the horticulture. The most part of this work claim a big effort by the periodical repetition of the movement, causing a man posture damage.

The man posture damage study is fundamental to promote a better life condition for people that depend of these activities and to increase the worker safety. After the analysis of the farmer's work, we have identified the need of other studies to support the changes in the organisation of the farmer's tasks.

Due to the farmer's posture in the tasks realization, ergonomic problems can occur and useful time of work can be reduced.

The harmful posture correction can be gotten by means of alternatives that minimize efforts and provide farmers better conditions of live and work.

An educational illustrated folder was made in order to promote the worker safety. The objective is prevent common accidents by means of a general orientation.

Also is been made an equipment to sow vegetables in way to facilitate farmer's work.
Trustbusting in Automation Use
Authors: Dzindolet Mary T. , Pierce Linda G. , Beck Hall P. , Dawe Lloyd A.
Published: January 2012

The use of automated decision aids is increasing. Unfortunately, the productivity of human-automated work teams is not always superior to that of the human operator or the computer working alone. Parasuraman and Riley's (1997) review indicates that human operators often overly rely on or underutilize automated aids. Several researchers have suggested that trust in the automated aid affects automation use (e.g., Dzindolet, Pierce, Beck, & Dawe's (1999) Framework of Automation Use). In two studies, we attempted to affect human operators' trust in an automated decision-aid by providing information to counter their expectations of near-perfect performances by the automated aid. Through various procedures, we were successful in encouraging human operators to appropriately rely on an automated decision aid.
A Preliminary Investigation of Individual Differences in Mental Workload: An Information Processing Based Approach
Authors: Trithart S.
Published: January 2012

The present study examined the role of strategic processing styles in predicting both objective performance and subjective workload in a simulated ATC task across various time pressure conditions. Strategic processing styles were assessed with the Need for Cognition and Personal Need for Structure scales, the Objective Relations Test (i.e., mental rotation), and performance on the video game Tetris (i.e., spatial ability). The results revealed no significant effects of these measures on subjective workload. There were also no significant effects on error production for any of these measures, with the exception of Tetris. The results of this study are discussed within Hendy's (1994) Information-Processing model of mental workload and human performance
Comparison of Male and Female Responses to Carrying Absolute and Relative Loads While on a Three Hour Military March
Authors: Scott P A , Ramabhai L
Published: January 2012

Recognizing the growing level of female participation in all aspects of military activities, this study undertook to investigate the effect of modifying the load carried according to individual morphologies and to compare male and female responses. Ten male and 10 female subjects were tested in situ on a 12km march under two conditions: (1) carrying an ‘Absolute Load’ of 40kg and (2) carrying a ‘Relative Load’ of 37% body weight. Heart rate responses plus perceptual ratings of exertion and discomfort were recorded at various stages of the march. Female heart rates were significantly elevated under both conditions and did not drop as expected when carrying loads relative to body weight. It is argued that this was at least partly due to the significantly higher percentage body fat of the females, suggesting that when ‘Relative Loads’ are calculated they should be based on lead body mass and not overall mass as tends to be the current method.
Work Technique in Relation to Years of Experience among Parcel Delivery Drivers
Authors: de Zwart Bart C.H. , Doornbos Rozemarijne , van der Weide Claire J. , Frings-Dresen Monique H.W. , Caspers Margo , van der Woude Luc H.V.
Published: January 2012

Goal of this study was to examine whether experienced parcel delivery drivers use a different work technique while loading their truck than their inexperienced colleagues. The results showed that experienced workers significantly spent more time for unofficial breaks during work compared with their inexperienced colleagues. No significant differences were reported for other work technique variables such as use of ergonomic devices and trunk posture.
Psychophysiological Responses Reflecting Driver's Emotional Reaction to Interior Noise during Sumulated Driving
Authors: Kim Jung-Yong , Park Min-Yong , Park Chang-Soon
Published: January 2012

In this study, psychophysiological stress was quantitatively evaluated at various car interior noise levels by using Electroencephalogram (EEG). An experiment was performed to investigate the most comfortable range of noise level during simulated driving condition. Twelve healthy volunteers participated in the experiment. They were asked to operate the driving simulator while six levels of interior noise were given, such as 50dB(A), 55dB(A), 60dB(A), 65dB(A), 70dB(A), and 85dB(A). EEG signals were recorded for 60 seconds in each noise level. The power spectral analysis was performed to analyze EEG signal. At the same time, psychological stress was also measured subjectively by using a magnitude estimation method. The results showed that subjective stress and EEG spectrum indicated a statistically significant difference between noise levels. In particular, high level noise produced an increase in beta power at parietal(Pz) and temporal(T3, T4) areas. It was also found that beta activity was highly correlated with subjective perception of discomfort, and subjects responded to car interior noise as arousing or negative stimuli. Moreover, beta power remained stable above 70dB(A), whereas subjective discomfort continued to increase even above 70dB(A). We concluded that brain waves could provide psychophysiological information of driver's emotional reaction to car interior noise. Thus, EEG parameters could be a new measure to determine optimal noise level in ergonomic workplace design after further verification in various experimental conditions.
Measurement of Fatigue and Adaptation in Large-Scale Real-Time ATC Simulation
Authors: Farbos Bruno , Mollard Regis , Cabon Phillipe , David Hugh
Published: January 2012

After preliminary small-scale trials, selected psychophysiological and self-assessment measures were applied to a Real-Time simulation of a revised interface for adjacent Swedish and Danish Air Traffic Control (ATC) sectors. (Because the Real Time simulation involved radical change in displays and operating methods, it was important to establish that the controllers had completed learning the system.) EEG studies showed high Theta-band activity, dropping off about the tenth day of simulation. Sleep-logs showed increasing duration of sleep throughout the simulation. Self-assessments of fatigue and sleepiness showed significantly higher levels in early morning and late evening sessions, and were significantly affected by age, experience and gender. Cortisol analyses showed no significant effects.
The Relationship between Crash Rates and Drivers' Hazard Assessments Using the Connecticut Photolog
Authors: Price Jana M. , Glynn Steven J.
Published: January 2012

Previous research into drivers' ability to assess road hazards has focused on experimenter, or expert, defined hazards. The present study attempted to use a more objective definition of hazard by comparing drivers' ratings of hazard for a series of road segments with the actual crash rates for those segments. Forty-one transportation professionals (operationally defined as “Experts”) and 38 undergraduate students (“Novices”) participated. A personal computer was used to display 24 randomly selected road segments from the 1994 Connecticut Photolog to participants, who then responded to a 6-item hazard perception survey (based on Groeger & Chapman, 1996). A Mann-Whitney U analysis indicated that the correlations between drivers' perceptions of hazard and actual crash rates were significantly higher for Experts than for Novices. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
The Role of Mental Models in Using Adaptive Cruise Control
Authors: Stanton Neville A. , Young Mark S.
Published: January 2012

The research project reported in this paper considers a range of psychological factors that are likely to impinge on the correct operation of an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system by drivers. It was proposed that mental models would play an important role in the driver's situational awareness of ACC operation. Over a hundred drivers were assessed on a battery of psychological measures, the data from which were interpreted through structural equation modelling techniques. The resultant analysis showed driver stress, locus of control, mental workload and trust played an important role in developing situational awareness.
Real-Time Assessment of Secondary Task Intrusiveness upon Real-World Driver Steering Performance using a Fiber-Optic Gyroscope
Authors: Schieber Frank , Werner Korin J. , Larsen Jessica M.
Published: January 2012

Lateral steering stability is a critical parameter of driving performance from both a theoretical as well as applied perspective. The measurement of lateral steering stability in a driving simulation environment is both straightforward and ubiquitous. However, the ability to measure this performance parameter in real-time during real-world driving has typically been fraught with technical challenges. The recent introduction of low cost fiber-optic gyroscope devices appears to have addressed many of the traditional difficulties associated with the real-time measurement of steering performance. State-of-the-art fiber-optic gyroscopes are capable of providing continuous data representing the rate of change in heading angle with a precision of 0.001 deg/sec. The current study evaluated the reliability and potential usefulness of real-time angular heading rate data collected from a instrumented research vehicle fitted with a KVH AutoGyro (fiber-optic laser gyroscope). Data from the fiber-optic gyroscope was collected and logged (at 10 Hz) via digital computer while volunteer participants performed a number of standard driving maneuvers and in-vehicle tasks involving interactions with instrument panel interfaces and controls.
Developing a Forward Collision Warning System Timing and Interface Approach by Placing Drivers in Realistic Rear-End Crash Situations
Authors: Kiefer Raymond J.
Published: January 2012

Forward Collision Warning (FCW) systems are intended to reduce the harm caused by rear-end crashes. As part of the GM-Ford Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership FCW project, four closed-course studies were conducted. These studies were focused on defining when to present FCW system crash alerts to drivers (i.e., the crash alert timing approach) and how to present FCW system crash alerts to drivers (i.e., visual, auditory, and/or haptic alerts). This project developed a “surrogate target” methodology which allowed experimenters to safely place inattentive drivers in realistic, “surprise” rear-end crash scenarios and observe their behavior. Results from these studies provided support for the deceleration-based crash alert timing approach developed, and support coupling the visual and non-speech tone alert components evaluated for FCW system implementation.
Driver Reaction Time in Crash Avoidance Research: Validation of a Driving Simulator Study on a Test Track
Authors: McGehee Daniel V. , Mazzae Elizabeth N. , Baldwin G.H. Scott
Published: January 2012

A series of experiments was conducted on the Iowa Driving Simulator to examine driver reaction and performance in an intersection incursion crash scenario. To validate these simulator trials, a second study was run on a test track using a similar intersection incursion scenario to examine driver reaction and vehicle performance. Results showed that there was statistical equivalence between important driver reaction times with both studies.
An Investigation of Attentional Demand in a Simulated Driving Environment
Authors: Courage Catherine , Milgram Paul , Smiley Alison
Published: January 2012

The primary objective of this simulator study was to examine how attentional demand during automobile driving changes as a function of vehicle speed, road curvature and lane width. Attentional demand was estimated quantitatively using self-paced visual occlusion during driving and was calculated as the percent of the time that the visual occlusion spectacles were open. The results revealed that, in accordance with earlier related studies in the literature, attentional demand increases as speed increases and as lane width decreases, and is also greater for curved as compared to straight road segments. Implications of the findings both for further research and practical road design are discussed.
Activity and Eye Movement Analysis as Basis of Vehicle Cabin Design
Authors: Rötting Matthias , Rösler Dirk , Lohse Katrin , Göbel Matthias
Published: January 2012

An inventory of different methods was developed over the last couple years to evaluate the ergonomic quality of different drivers workplaces. The cockpit of short-haul buses, long-haul buses, streetcars and harvesting machinery were evaluated. Based on this analysis criteria for the re-design could be developed. E.g. the design of the standard German short-haul buses is based on the results of such an analysis. In a first step, the physical layout of the cabin is recorded and evaluated. The analysis of the (static) posture of a large number of different subjects in a number of typical positions gives valuable information about the anthropometric design of the workplace. It is complemented by an analysis of the posture during the real task with a smaller number of subjects. In addition, the activities and the eye movements of the subjects during the real task are recorded and analyzed and used as input for the re-design of the cabins.
The Relationships between Organizational and Individual Variables to On-the-Job Driver Accidents and Accident-Free Kilometers
Authors: Caird J. K. , Kline T.J.
Published: January 2012

Organizational factors and driver behaviors that contributed to on-the-job accidents in a large Western Canadian corporation were examined. A structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used which allows researchers to test a complex set of relationships within a global theoretical framework. A number of scales were used to assess organizational support, driver adaptations, and driver behaviors. The sample of professional drivers that participated allowed us to record on-the-job accidents and accident-free kilometers from their personnel files. The pattern of relationships in the final model provides insight into the role of planning, environmental adaptations, fatigue, speed, errors, and moving citations to on-the-job accidents, and accident-free kilometers. Research and practical implications are briefly discussed.
A Field Evaluation of Safety Issues in Local/short Haul Trucking
Authors: Hanowski Richard J. , Wierwille Walter W. , Garness Sheila A. , Dingus Thomas A. , Knipling Ronald R. , Carroll Robert J.
Published: January 2012

Despite comprising the largest segment of the trucking industry, very little research has been directed at investigating safety issues in Local/Short Haul (L/SH) operations. To this end, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is funding a research project aimed at investigating safety issues in L/SH. A two-phased research project was conducted to (1) determine the general safety issues in L/SH trucking and (2) determine the extent to which fatigue is an issue. Phase I of this research, which involved focus groups with L/SH drivers, has been described previously (Hanowski, et al., 1999). The present research outlines Phase II of this effort which involved conducting a field study with instrumented L/SH trucks. Two L/SH trucking companies and 42 drivers participated in this study. L/SH trucks were instrumented with a variety of data collection systems, and data were gathered as the drivers worked their normal delivery routes. The focus of the analyses is on critical incidents (i.e., crashes and near-crashes) that the L/SH drivers experienced.
Effects of Signal Salience and Cueing on Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity during Sustained Attention
Authors: Hitchcock Edward M. , Warm Joel S. , Dember William N. , Matthews Gerald M. , Shear Paula K. , Rosa Roger R. , Tripp Lloyd , Mayleben David W. , Parasuraman Raja
Published: January 2012

Transcranial Doppler sonography*** a low-cost noninvasive procedure which allows continuous monitoring of blood flow in the left and right middle cerebral arteries, was employed while participants performed a 40-min vigil. Two levels of signal salience (high and low) were combined factorially with four conditions in which monitors were forewarned about the imminent arrival of critical signals (100%, 80%, and 40% reliable cueing and a no-cue control). For both levels of signal salience, the frequency of signal detections remained stable over time in the 100% cue-reliability condition but declined over time in the remaining cue conditions, so that by the end of the vigil performance efficiency was best in the 100% condition followed in order by the 80%, 40%, and no-cue conditions. These performance effects for cueing were mirrored by blood flow measurements taken from the right hemisphere in conjunction with low salience signals. No effects for cueing were observable in blood flow recordings taken from the left hemisphere in conjunction with either high or low salience signals. The results indicate that blood flow and signal detection in vigilance are at least partially related to common mechanisms, such as the expenditure of information-processing resources. They are also consistent with past findings indicating that vigilance performance is right-lateralized.
Designing for the Task: Sometimes 2-D is Just Plane Better
Authors: John Mark , Smallman Harvey S. , Cowen Michael B.
Published: January 2012

There is a great military command and control need for better depiction of 3-D environments. Standard 2-D depictions can lead to inattention to altitude, especially for relative novices, and are generally inadequate. In a series of experiments we found that tasks requiring understanding the shapes of objects or terrain layout are much better performed using 3-D views, however tasks requiring precise judgments about the relative positions of objects or terrain locations were much better performed using 2-D views. We propose an interface concept called “Orient and Operate” for designing command and control displays. Users orient to the layout of a scene using a 3-D view, but then switch to 2-D views to interact or operate on it. In related work, we have found that 3-D icons are a mixed blessing: they are poor for identification, yet they code other attributes clearly (e.g. attitude), but this benefit is unrelated to 3-D depiction, per se.
Mental Workload Beyond Computational Complexity
Authors: Tsang Pamela S.
Published: January 2012

The information processing approach traditionally has been the theoretical foundation of mental workload. Computational neurocognitive models are emerging approaches to understanding how the brain performs cognitive functions. Computational complexity refers to the many possibilities and ambiguities intrinsic in the environmental stimuli. These models agree that the brain has limited computational power. Utility and implications of the computational approaches to the understanding of mental workload, especially that of higher-level activities such as strategic control of dynamic multiple-task performance and situation awareness will be explored.
Effect of Various Disturbances on fMRI: A Study on Visual and Motor Cortices
Authors: Chung Soon-Cheol , Min Byung-Chan , Kim Chul-Jung , Cho Zang-Hee
Published: January 2012

We have studied the effects of various disturbances of two different levels of difficulty, that is, with weak and with strong difficulty levels for primary visual and motor tasks. In the case of visual task with motor and mental disturbances, we found it decreased as motor and mental disturbance difficulty-level increased, ***compared with the cases without motor and mental disturbances. To the contrary, in the case of motor activity, the total activation of motor cortex with weak and with strong mental disturbance was increased as mental disturbance difficulty-levels increased.
A Dynamic Transport Control System of Freight Trains: Environment, Layout, Workstations, Interface Design
Authors: de Moraes Anamaria , Dresch Alexandre , Schonblum Rosane , Quaresma Maria Manuela , Mont' Alvão Cláudia R. , Mourthé Claudia R.
Published: January 2012

This study presents once again the necessity of synoptic panel as a fundamental tool to the dispatchers work. Based upon the data collected in a railway freight control room, where a change is occurring in the control and management systems, where it was decided get out of the synoptic panels.
Quantifying Mental Workload of Operators in Future Control-Centres of the Deutsche Bahn AG
Authors: Mussgnug Jochen , Neumann Markus , Landau Kurt
Published: January 2012

The Deutsche Bahn AG is developing a new version of control-centres. Only seven of these facilities will be necessary to supervise and control the whole railway network in Germany. The paper describes the procedure to design a model to estimate the amount of personal required in the future. Several steps were necessary for this, begun with investigation on site via simulatorsessions up to the draft of a model considering expert knowledge.
Ergonomics in Traffic Control and Surveillance System for Expressway: Malaysia Experience
Authors: Ismail Shahmizan , Dawal S.Z. Md.
Published: January 2012

There are close to a dozen toll expressway in Malaysia built by the private sectors and a few more in the list waiting to be constructed. The purpose is basically to provide a better alternative to the one provided by the government in terms of smooth traffic flow, less congestion and accident and at the same time to help spur the economic activities that connecting major cities through out the nation. Surprisingly only three expressway operators thus far that have put the traffic control and surveillance systems (TCSS) in place. TCSS is basically a supporting system to aid the expressway operators in running and operating the expressway as well as in providing assistance to the users a smooth and comfortable journey. Following to the above matter an ergonomics study is carried out to confirm the specification on design aspects. The studies will include the rest and service area (RSA), emergency telephone (ET) system and variable message sign (VMS). Basically the design at present is based on anthropometrics data based on Malaysian population.
Design & Evaluation of HCI in Subsea Pipeline Examine & Repair System
Authors: Hong Yi , Yufang Zhang , Jiangbo Wang , Tong Ge , Longxiang Zhou
Published: January 2012

Based on human cognitive psychology and information transferring characters, this paper introduces human factors engineering and human operating reliability into the evaluation of HCI design. Human factors and information transferring characters of human & computer are taken into full consideration during the HCI design. Human computer (HC) reliability is brought forward as a quantitative evaluation criterion for the HCI design. Quantitative evaluation is achieved by building HC information transferring model and HET model.
Ecological Cognition and Cognitive Ecology
Authors: Hutchins Edwin
Published: January 2012

The Ecological Cognition perspective emphasizes the fact that human cognition is adaptive to the constraints of the context of task performance. People are good at developing strategies for task performance that take advantage of the informational affordances of the task environment. Therefore, if we wish to understand human cognition, we must look beyond the skin and skull of the individual to the material and social structures with which the mind interacts. Of course, material artifacts and social arrangements are elements of adaptive processes as well. Material artifacts are often crystallizations of regularities in the task environment and they develop over time, changing adaptively to fit the constraints of the task, the properties of the task performers, and the other artifacts employed in the task performance. Such changes in the material artifacts change the informational affordances of the task environment, which creates new opportunities for the development of strategies. Thus, human cognition and the material supports of human cognition must be seen as a co-adaptive system. Similarly, in complex work settings where two or more persons jointly perform tasks, social arrangements are enacted anew each time a socially distributed task is performed. Strategies for the social division of cognitive labor are also part of this co-adaptive system, both constraining and being constrained by mental and material artifacts. These interlocked co-adaptive systems suggest a cognitive ecology. It's a compelling way of talking about such systems. Can it be more than a metaphor?
Tool Usage and Ecological Interface Design
Authors: Torenvliet Gerard L. , Vicente Kim J.
Published: January 2012

Field studies have shown that operators frequently use tools to “finish the design” of the interface, thereby overcoming design deficiencies. As far as we know, however, tool use has never been studied experimentally in the laboratory before in the cognitive engineering literature. In this paper, we describe an exploratory experiment that was conducted to address this issue. Two groups of participants controlled a thermal-hydraulic microworld with an ecological interface that contained physical and functional information in a single, integrated view. After an extended period of practice, each group was transferred to a different interface. One transfer interface contained the same information as the ecological interface, but across four screens that could only be viewed serially rather than in one integrated view. Another interface contained only physical information rather than physical and functional information. The results showed that tool use served four different purposes: to aid learning; to integrate information; to derive information; and to extend interface functionality. The results also provide indirect support for the ecological interface design framework because, in the transfer phase, tool use served to recover useful features that were present in the ecological interface.
Ergonomics in Agriculture, Forestry and Food Production
Authors: Landau Kurt
Published: January 2012

In five sessions researchers from thirteen different countries present reports on musculoskeletal disorders, quality of working life, occupational safety and health and hand tools used in agriculture. The new IEA/ILO Handbook on Ergonomics in Agriculture is presented.
Ergonomic Analysis of Grapevine Pruning and Wine Harvesting to Define Work and Hand Tools Design Requirements
Authors: Wakula Jurij , Landau Kurt
Published: January 2012

Quantitative and qualitative knowledge of ergonomic analysis of grapevines pruning and wine harvesting with respect to postural load, repetitive movements of cutting hand and using different cutting tools was obtained. It could be demonstrated, that stress generated by working postures and repetitive movements combined with were a major problem of work., Ergonomic design deficits of the existing cutting hand tools was carried out.
Field Evaluation of Audible Traffic Signals for Blind Pedestrians
Authors: Laroche C. , Leroux T. , Giguère C. , Poirier P.
Published: January 2012

The project aims to single out an audible traffic signal or a pair of audible traffic signals that would enable blind pedestrians to cross intersections safely. This is carried out in three phases: 1) measuring walking alignment and crossing time of blind pedestrian subjects within a simulated corridor, with four different simultaneous traffic signals (cuckoo, peep-peep, 4-note melody and neo-cuckoo) presented in a quiet environment, 2) measuring alignment with audible traffic signals alternating on each end of the simulated corridor, in a quiet environment and 3) measuring alignment at a busy real intersection. This paper reports on the results of the first two phases. The 4-note melody originally proposed by Hall et al. (1996) and modified in a recent study (Laroche et al., 1999) gave better results in terms of localization and perception of safety than any other signals specified in the Canadian standard (Transportation Association of Canada, 1992). Audible traffic signals alternating back and forth on each side of the corridor gave better results than signals presented simultaneously from both sides.
To Warn or Not to Warn
Authors: Gilson Richard D. , Mouloua Mustapha , Chen Jessie Y. C. , Holmquist John P.
Published: January 2012

Increased automation has brought about the issue of having too many alarms in a variety of human-machine systems such as aviation, nuclear power plants, surgical operating rooms, etc. The ideal situation in any environment would be to create the least numbers of alarms necessary in order to avoid confusion. This paper examines issues as to the choice of presenting alarms under certain conditions. Exemplars include current alerting systems in aviation and other domains with implications for training.
Comparing Speech and Nonspeech Warnings
Authors: Edworthy Judy , Walters Kathryn , Hellier Elizabeth , Weedon Ben
Published: January 2012

Free modulus magnitude estimation was used to assess the perceived urgency of speech and non-speech warnings. Three nonspeech warnings (Priority 1, Priority 2 and Priority 3) and three speech warnings (‘Deadly’, ‘Warning’ and ‘Note’) were selected and three versions of each warning were generated which differed in their level of urgency. The results indicated that there was no significant difference overall between the two modes of warning. A main effect for priority was found, with higher priority warnings being rated as more urgent, and urgency within each warning had an overall significant effect. Priority and mode interacted, showing that the range of urgency ratings given to the nonspeech warnings was higher than for the speech warnings.
The Design and Evaluation of a Speech Interface for Generation of Air Tasking Orders
Authors: Williamson David T. , Barry Timothy P.
Published: January 2012

This paper discusses the design, implementation, and evaluation of a prototype speech recognition interface to the Theater Air Planning (TAP) module of Theater Battle Management Core Systems (TBMCS). This effort was in support of a Kenney Battlelab Initiative proposal submitted to the Command and Control Battlelab at Hurlburt Field, FL to assess the operational benefits of speech recognition for data entry applications in a Joint Air Operations Center environment. Several factors contributing to the design of the “TAPTalk” speech interface included interviews with subject matter experts, speech system selection, grammar development, and integration into TAP, which required only minor modification of existing software. Results from the two week operational assessment with sixteen subjects from the Command and Control Training and Innovation Group, numbered Air Forces, Navy, and Marine Corp indicated that the Theater Air Planning process could be accomplished significantly faster with no increase in error rates. Subjectively, the sixteen planners unanimously agreed that the TAPTalk speech interface was a valuable addition to TAP and would recommend its inclusion in a future upgrade. Recommendations for further improving the TAPTalk system are discussed.
Issues Relating to Automatic Speech Recognition and Spatial Auditory Displays in High Noise, Stressful Tank Environments
Authors: Haas Ellen , Shankle Robert , Murray Hattie , Travers Deborah , Wheeler Ted
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems and human speech output to ASR systems are affected when users perform complex tasks in a noisy, stressful simulated tank environment. A second objective was to determine whether the type of auditory information input (monaural or spatial) affected user task performance, including the output of speech to ASR systems. Subjects performed simultaneous radio communication and tank driving tasks. Independent variables included auditory display configuration, driving speed, and subject type (soldier or civilian). Dependent variables included 1) the proportion of radio channel changes correctly recognized by the ASR; 2) the proportion and types of speech errors in radio channel changes; 3) the number of accurate responses to the radio messages; and 4) subject ratings of stress and workload. Subjects were six male U.S. Army personnel and six male civilians. Results indicated that ASR and human speech output were not significantly affected by any of the independent variables. A mean of 95.5% of all subject verbal commands was recognized by the ASR system. Spatialized radio messages significantly enhanced the ability of the user to understand speech communications from multiple channels. However, spatial audio information input had no significant effect on user speech output or on ASR performance. In general, ASR and spatial audio displays have potential as technologies of interest in high noise, stressful tank environments in which complex, concurrent tasks are performed.
The Maintenance Error Decision Aid (MEDA) Process
Authors: Rankin William L.
Published: January 2012

Maintenance and inspection errors have been the primary cause of six percent of aircraft accidents and have contributed to an additional nine percent of the accidents from 1982 through 1993. What can maintenance organizations do to reduce these types of errors? This paper discusses the development and evaluation of a maintenance error investigation process-the Maintenance Error Decision Aid (MEDA). MEDA was developed based on the following philosophy: maintenance technicians do not make errors on purpose; errors result from a series of related contributing factors, and; these factors are largely under management control and, therefore, can be improved to prevent future, similar errors. The MEDA process was field tested at nine maintenance organizations. After a one-day training course, airline personnel were able to carry out a successful MEDA investigation to determine and correct contributing factors to error. An average of 3.4 contributing factors was found per error. Since the end of the field test, Boeing has provided MEDA implementation support to over 120 aircraft maintenance organizations around the world. Feedback suggests that all organizations using MEDA have found cost-effective solutions to maintenance error.
Current Issues in Human Factors Regulation for UK Nuclear Power Systems
Authors: Williams Jeremy C.
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the current regulatory status of human factors technology as applied to the design, management, assessment, inspection, operation and decommissioning of nuclear plant in the U.K. It addresses the outstanding issues, reviews the technical solutions that are available, outlines the research that has been undertaken and explores the standards and processes that are required to maintain the impetus for continuous improvement.
To Be or Not to Be? Human Factors of the Chernobyl NPP Closing down
Authors: Zhuravlyov Gennady E.
Published: January 2012

The destroyed Unit #4 is not a save object The remains of the nuclear fuel are not in a stable state in the sense both of nuclear processes and space distribution. The probability of a new nuclear chain reaction is not equal to zero. Many radioactive isotopes have half lives of 3000 years and more. Our descendants ought to deal with aftermath of the Chernobyl tragedy for centuries ahead.

The current report is not aimed to solve complicated technical problems of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Author intends to show urgent necessity of the profound analysis of the Human Factors (macroergonomic) problems while making final decisions regarding both the ChNPP and the Shelter.
Analysis and Assessment of Errors of Commission in Nuclear Power Plant Settings
Authors: Straeter Oliver
Published: January 2012

The term Errors of Commission (EOC) describes a safety problem of complex technical systems where humans intervene into the system functions in an inappropriate way. Most serious events in any technical area are caused by EOCs. Humans shut down a high pressure injection that is needed in the current situation (TMI Nuclear Power Plant), humans decide to continue a test that brings the plant into serious conditions (Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant), Maintenance Management does not exchange a wheel that is far below the safety margins (Eschede Railway Accident in Germany). Similar examples can be mentioned in other technical systems like Aircraft or Medicine for instance. This paper firstly gives an overview about the problem and the work in that field. It then focuses on some approaches for solution concerning the modeling of cognitive human behaviour.
Modelling and Simulation in Gerontechnology
Authors: Graafmans Jan A. M.
Published: January 2012

There are many ways to represent objects and processes in the world. We do it physically by painting or drawing pictures of people and nature, we do it in three dimensions with model railroads and dolls. A model might be a drawing, perhaps to scale, of a house with flat paper furniture that we move around to see where it looks nicest and functions best: this is much easier than moving the actual furniture. A model always is easier or better in some way than the real thing. It is lighter, or smaller, or simpler and cheaper to make, or can be tested and destroyed without negative consequences.
Ability to Work, Age and Main Concerns of Workers in Ukraine
Authors: Bobko Natalia A. , Barishpolets Alexey T.
Published: January 2012

A sample of 250 health care workers aged 18-68 (mean = 32.5 years) completed the Survey of Health Care Professionals. Self-ratings of their social skills, mental capacity and physical capability corresponded to their ratings of work demands. Physical tiredness and tension were rated higher than mental tiredness. Worker age did not affect self-ratings of work performance, but physical and mental tiredness increased with increases in the age that one felt. The younger one felt compared to her/his calendar age, the better current work ability s/he reported. The main concerns of workers are connected with off-the-job factors, most probably caused by the economic crisis and unfavorable ecology situation in Ukraine. More than half of the subjects were quite a bit or extremely concerned about changes in the cost of living, water quality, food safety, radiation. The variable most closely related to the effects of these factors is an index of difference between calendar age and how old one feels.
A Survey of Ramp and Stair Use among Older Adults
Authors: Wolfinbarger Kimberly Graves , Shehab Randa L.
Published: January 2012

Forty-three community-dwelling adults aged 57 to 95 participated in survey exploring characteristics of ramp use by older ambulant people. Twenty-three respondents said they ascended ramps instead of stairs most of the time, and 14 said they ascended ramps some of the time. Similar numbers were reported for descent. Overall, respondents felt less fatigued, less likely to trip, and more comfortable when using ramps rather than stairs for ascending one level. When descending one level, balance, tripping, and comfort were the strongest determinants of ramp use. Respondents indicated that descent was more problematic, particularly in regard to balance and tripping. The presence of handrails often determined the choice of route. Results from this survey provided the basis for an experiment evaluating the abilities of older people to traverse ramps of various slopes. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines implicitly assume that a ramp accommodates everyone. This study indicates that entrances should have both ramps and stairs.
Slowing Down the Development of Age-Associated Changes in the Human Body - A New Field for Ergonomics
Authors: Kristjuhan Ülo
Published: January 2012

The problem of slowing down the development of age-associated changes in the human body using ergonomics is studied. Ergonomics, which uses weak physiological changes in research, takes holistic view and ignores academic stance, has many advantages over most prevention disciplines. Its intervention does not require complicated animal research or epidemiological studies. The ergonomist can use very different professional skills. It is possible to use subjective methods of fatigue assessment in slowing down the development of age-associated changes in humans.