bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Drivers' Eye Location
Authors: Gatchell Susanne M. , Miller James M.
Published: January 2012

The set of guidelines for establishing the location of drivers' eyes as a function of a vehicle's workspace geometry and percentile representation of driving population is one of the most important design tools in the automotive industry. This tool is called an Eyellipse which allows designers to minimize structures that interfere with a driver's vision to his environment. The Eyellipses were, however, based on data gathered while subjects were in a static laboratory setting looking straight ahead at a picture of a driving scene instead of a real driving task.

The objectives of this paper are threefold: (1) to examine literature that has laid the foundations for current automotive design standards on drivers' eye location, (2) to describe models for predicting drivers' eye location, and (3) to determine significant factors that should be used in these models by re-analyses of raw data from previous studies.

This discussion also indicates weaknesses in previous research and proposes areas where future research is needed in order to determine the true distribution of subjects' eyes during a real driving task.
Evaluation of Driver Comprehension of Word versus Symbol Highway Signs
Authors: Plummer Ralph W. , Minarch John J. , King Ellis L.
Published: January 2012

This experiment investigated the effects of word and symbol signs on reaction time and accuracy of response. In addition, a proposed symbol sign, “SCHOOL BUS STOP AHEAD,” was evaluated using the same criteria. A tachistoscope was used to present the visual stimuli for a viewing time of 200 milliseconds.

Two sets of conditions were used in the experiment. The first part consisted of a group of subjects that possessed no prior knowledge of/or special education in symbol highway signs. The second part involved a control group who received special training concerning the meaning of symbol highway signs.

The stimuli were presented to 20 subjects (both male and female) aged 19 to 45, whose driving experience ranged from 3 to 29 years. The average miles driven per year varied from 1,000 to 20,000 miles.

A three factor analysis of variance fixed effect model was used to analyze the data. The main factors of the model consisted of two levels of stimuli (word versus symbol signs), two levels of test conditions (prior knowledge versus no knowledge), and ten levels of different signs (traffic signs).

Based upon the analysis of variance results, it was found that symbol signs do convey more accurate identification of road information than do word signs. However, it was not possible to conclude that symbol signs require less time to react to than word signs. The results of this investigation confirmed that neither the word or symbol “SCHOOL BUS STOP AHEAD” sign effectively convey the proper message.
Prediction of Cardiac Response to Physical Stress
Authors: Long Larry E. , Hoag LaVerne L.
Published: January 2012

This paper presents a method for predicting an individual's cardiac response to a series of fixed intensity tasks. It was determined that cardiac responses to exercise at given work loads are similar for subjects of the same sex and level of physical fitness when they are expressed in terms of resting heart rate. Using this observation as a basis, a prediction model was developed by extrapolating from emperically derived heart rate patterns. The prediction error was no more than five to ten percent of the actual heart rate value in ninety percent of the predictions.
A Review of the Effect of Menstruation on Accident Involvement, Size of Visual Field, and Color Perception
Authors: Lanfair Kathryne M. , Smith Leo A.
Published: January 2012

A review of the relationship between the menstrual cycle and three aspects of female industrial performance is presented. The performance aspects considered are accident involvement, size of visual field, and color perception.

The literature relative to the phases of the menstrual cycle and their effect on accident involvement is conflicting from the standpoint of conclusions reached and often inappropriate with respect to the sample of women studied. The literature relative to detailing significant effects of the menstrual cycle on the individual's visual field and color perception is less copious than that concerning accidents, but less conflicting in conclusions reached. There is apparently a significant narrowing of the visual field and distortion of color perception during the pre-menstrual phase. The literature is reviewed and an hypothesis posed which could potentially explain any increase in accident involvement during the pre-menstrual and menstrual flow stages.
Toward a Theory of Man-Tool System Design Applications to the Consumer Product Area
Authors: Kreifeldt John G. , Hill Percy H.
Published: January 2012

The man-tool system is important in many human factors areas but particularly so for consumer products where competition and other aspects are forcing particular attention to be paid to consumer satisfaction and tool performance. A first-order descriptive model of the man-tool system is presented together with a short description of a directed procedure for man-tool design which has been found useful in several different areas of consumer product design. It is essential that tool design be approached from the systems viewpoint, in order to provide a sound basis for research and design, leading to prototypes having a high chance of being successful for the user and/or the client with the minimum amount of iteration in the design process.

The psychophysical sensitivity to moment-of-inertia as a component of tool “feel” is also presented, together with a discussion of some pitfalls in the necessary task of eliciting useful design words from the user.
Designing “Good” Jobs: Countermeasures and Controls
Authors: Peterson Richard O.
Published: January 2012

Social scientists and managers outside the human factors profession are encroaching upon the field of industrial job design. They insist that a job must include such “work quality” characteristics as a meaningful module, variety, employee control, use of valued skills, and direct feedback. It is easy to oppose such qualities through a series of well-accepted human factors, countermeasures and controls, each described briefly. If such opposition is not successful, it may be necessary for human factors specialists to join and become leaders of the work quality movement.
Computer-Aided Generation of Performance Measures for Man-Machine Systems
Authors: Connelly Edward M. , Knoop Patricia A. , Bourne Francis J. , Loental Diane G.
Published: January 2012

The design, application, and evaluation of man-machine systems are limited by our ability to measure system performance in a reliable and sensitive manner. Without adequate performance measures, there is no way to test system designs, to plan and execute training systems, or to effectively evaluate operational systems.

Typically, measures are manually produced by selecting a set of candidate performance measures which are subsequently tested for reliability and validity. Since the measurement value of a given candidate measure is not known until these tests are complete, this process, which may be an iterative process, can be both time consuming and costly. Also, since only a few candidate measures can be investigated manually, there is a high probability that superior measures are not even considered. Automating at least some of the manual operations required can result in improved performance measures in less time and at lower cost.

The performance measurement generating processor described in this paper accepts demonstration data representing various levels of performance, and under user control, analyzes the data to provide candidate performance measures. The processor also conducts validation tests and orders candidate measures according to their measurement value. Output from the FORTRAN IV processor includes results from validation tests and specifications for objective performance measures.
Target Detection Assessment Using an Orthogonal Mixed-Factor Central-Composite Design
Authors: Scanlan Lawrence A. , Clark Christine
Published: January 2012

Target detection performance on a time-compressed radar display with both spatial and temporal cues was investigated. The effects of six variables (frame duration, noise level, clutter level, number of stored frames, target speed, and target direction) were examined using an orthogonal mixed-factor central-composite response surface experimental design. Results are discussed in terms of the contributions of spatial and temporal cues to detection performance. A methodological discussion of the experimental design is also included.
Model Development and the Assessment of Competing Models
Authors: Pfeiffer Mark G. , Siegel Arthur I.
Published: January 2012

The paper describes the process of model development and applies multiattribute utility theory to the practical problem of optimizing the selection among competing models designed for the same purpose. As an example, two models (Human Interactive and Monte Carlo) are compared which differ on the basis of their existing levels of abstraction, or their degree of remoteness from the real world. The slight superiority of the Monte Carlo Model resulted largely because it had higher utilities for the more important attributes of models such as repeatability of output, degree of error/low variability, and feasibility of use and application.
Systems Approach to Training (SAT) for the B-1 Aircrew
Authors: Sugarman Robert C. , Buckenmaier Chester C. , Johnson Steven L.
Published: January 2012

In support of the B-1 System Program Office, this analytic study is to develop recommended and alternative crew training systems for the future B-1 air vehicle. The training system provides for transition, recurring, and upgrade training for the four positions of the aircrew: pilot, co-pilot, offensive systems operator, and defensive systems operator. The instructional system development (ISD) is enhanced by the concurrent development of two computer aids. These are: 1) Sorting Model, which allows efficient storage, retrieval, collating, and updating of mission/function/task analysis and supporting data; and 2) Training Resources Analytic Model (TRAM), which provides time-phased costs and resource requirements for the training system over the B-1 life cycle. A major goal of the systems approach is to account for the major factors that can affect the cost and/or allocation of human and material resources. The approach to developing comprehensive instructional system designs is to be based on factors including: 1) statements of behavioral objectives; 2) current and projected simulation state-of-the-art; 3) modern educational technology techniques (methods and media); 4) external constraints; and 5) trade-off and sensitivity analyses (using the TRAM). The outputs for this program are descriptions of the recommended and alternative training systems, complete with a syllabus for each course, descriptions of required media and facilities, costs, and schedules.
Effect of Environmental Extremes on Task Performance Time
Authors: Trabold Frederick W. , Jones Daniel B.
Published: January 2012

An experiment was conducted to compare times required to complete a sample of motor tasks typical of routine maintenance actions under the following five environmental conditions: Ambient Shirtsleeve (72°F), Hot Day (110°F), Hot Night (80°F), Cold Day (-25°F) and Cold Night (-25°F).

The results of the experiment using eight subjects indicated that

1) No increase in time was needed to complete the 15 motor tests in the hot day environment over the time to complete the same tests in the shirtsleeve weather.

2) A median increase of six percent was required to complete the tests in the hot night conditions. Time increases of 20 to 30 percent were observed for those tasks which required more finite hand-eye coordination and higher light intensity.

3) An increase of 17 percent in time was noted to complete the tasks in the cold day environment. Those tests requiring high motor skill level were more effected than those which required less psychomotor coordination.

4) Test performed in the cold night required a median time increase of 48 percent over the shirtsleeve environment; 14 of the 15 tests completed showed a significant increase in time for completion.
The Effects of Whole Body Exercise on Choice-Reaction Time Performance
Authors: Dechovitz Alan B. , Schutz Rodney K. , Sadosky Thomas L.
Published: January 2012

A study which investigates how cognitive performance is affected by simultaneous, physical exercise is reported. Whole body exercise on a bicycle ergometer at four work loads (30, 60, 120 and 180 watts) and four rates (30, 40, 60 and 90 rpm) for durations of from 5 to 25 minutes were investigated. A two-stage choice reaction time task was performed at one minute intervals prior to, during and after exercise. Psychomotor performance was measured by reaction time and error rate. Although the subjects were fully trained, very pronounced subject differences were noted. The psychomotor response did not vary with work load (watts) or work rate (rpm), and in addition, was not related to the physiological measurements recorded for heart rate and oxygen consumption. Nominal differences in reaction time and error rate were detected during and after exercise; but it was concluded that physical exercise, even if strenuous, does not cause a modification in cognitive performance of practical significance.
Interaction of the Circadian Rhythm with the Effects of Continuous Work and Sleep-II
Authors: Coates Glynn D. , Brown Bill R. , Morgan Ben B.
Published: January 2012

The synthetic-work approach was employed in an investigation of the effects of continuous work and sleep loss on sustained performance. Two crews of five subjects each worked continuously for 36 hr., slept 4 hr., and then returned to work 8 hr. per day. During the continuous-work period, one crew began work at 0400 hr. and the other at 1600 hr. Performance decrements were found to be significantly larger (33% as compared to 11%) and recovery to be less complete for the crew whose continuous work began during the low portion of the subjects' circadian rhythm (i.e., the crew beginning at 0400 hr.). Comparisons of these data with other continuous-work investigations (in which the continuous-work periods began at other points of the subjects' circadian rhythm) indicate that the circadian rhythm constitutes a primary determiner of man's ability to work continuously for extended periods of time and to recover from the effects of continuous work and sleep loss.
Optical Range and Range Rate Estimation for Teleoperator Systems
Authors: Shields Nicholas L. , Kirkpatrick Mark , Malone Thomas B. , Huggins Carl T.
Published: January 2012

Range and range rate are crucial parameters which must be available to the operator during remote controlled orbital docking operations. A method was developed for the estimation of both these parameters using an aided television system. An experiment was performed to determine the human operator's capability to measure displayed image size using a fixed reticle or movable cursor as the television aid. The movable cursor was found to yield mean image size estimation errors on the order of 2.3 percent of the correct value. This error rate was significantly lower than that for the fixed reticle. Performance using the movable cursor was found to be less sensitive to signal-to-noise ratio variation than was that for the fixed reticle. The mean image size estimation errors for the movable cursor correspond to an error of approximately 2.25 percent in range suggesting that the system has some merit. Determining the accuracy of range rate estimation using a rate controlled cursor will require further experimentation.
The “Closed Psychological System” Design as a Research Technique for Environmental Psychology
Authors: Sullins Walter R. , Soper Peter J.
Published: January 2012

Research techniques appropriate for the acquisition of information related to environmental psychology are considered. For convenience the se methods are somewhat arbitrarily divided into four categories. Some major characteristics of one of these categories, the “closed psychological system”, are described. This technique is then compared with the other three, better known, methods.
Evaluation of Prior Experience in Skilled Performance
Authors: Lippert Stanley
Published: January 2012

A review of some studies of skill acquisition indicates that a simple hyperbolic function fits data on individual performance well. The function yields an explicit value of prior experience related to the task. The particular function for an individual can be adjusted to a “hypothetical first” trial which is common to other members of the sample population. The individual constants in the adjusted functions may then be averaged arithmetically to give a mean function, which is also an hyperbola. Standard deviations of the values of the constants may also be computed. These too will be hyperbolic functions.
Human Factors Engineering Aspects of Satellite Communication Systems
Authors: Kuhr James W. , Tobias Leonard W.
Published: January 2012

Development of satellite communication systems for military use involves human factors engineering in such new areas as digital data handling and computer assistance, besides the well-known areas: function allocation, task analysis, control and display arrangement, workplace layout and personnel subsystem test and evaluation. This paper deals with contributions made during definition, design and verification of the Air Force Satellite Communication System and associated Navy and Army versions. The description of system development provides an up-to-date case study of human factors engineering problems in a military procurement setting. Recommendations are made concerning future system planning.
Comments on Simulation
Authors: Christensen Julien M.
Published: January 2012

The uses of simulation are discussed along with a brief examination of when it is appropriate to use simulation. Strengths and weaknesses of the basic data in this field are treated. Finally, prospects for the future are considered.
Problems of Work in Advancing Age
Authors: Kunze Karl R.
Published: January 2012

“You made me what I am today, I hope you're satisfied” could be the theme of this paper. Although various measurements taken of people over their working life show a decline of certain psychophysical attributes and a relative stability of intellectual functions, the important determiner of work effectiveness appears rather to be the environment in which people work, including the preceptions management people have about the productivity of older workers.
Translating Information Requirements into Training Device Fidelity Requirements
Authors: Smode Alfred F. , Hall Eugene R.
Published: January 2012

The failure of training equipment to meet training needs is frequently attributed to poor engineering fidelity. Inaccurate or inadequate information requirements may be equally responsible for shortcomings in device design. Some observations and views on fidelity issues and on achieving fidelity requirements are offered.
An Approach to Curriculum Development for Craft/Clerical and Management Training
Authors: Schumacher Sanford P. , Kulp Richard A. , Childs Carl E.
Published: January 2012

A need was identified to develop a curriculum for Bell System management, technical, craft, and clerical personnel in the Network Operations Division. Traditional curriculum development efforts are geared to educational needs and philosophies rather than to providing a framework for training personnel to perform defined jobs. Instructional System Development (ISD) approaches are directed to developing training which satisfies job performance requirements. However, since they focus on producing courses, they usually provide less information about functional requirements and more information about job requirements than is needed to build a curriculum. A modified systems/task analysis curriculum development approach which is more efficient than the ISD process is presented. The curriculum requirements, developmental methodology, and preliminary outcomes of the effort are discussed.
Video Tape Presentation of Passenger Safety Information
Authors: Johnson Daniel A. , Blom Douglas I. , Altman H. Beau
Published: January 2012

Passenger safety can be increased by increasing the amount of safety information that passengers know. To effectively do this. one must (a) determine what passengers need to know, and (b) effectively present the information Black and white video tape was used to present nonverbal safety information to potential aircraft passengers (subjects) on what they should do (Do), what they should not do (Don't), and the reason why (Why) The information covered II content areas (e. g., luggage storage, seat belt use. etc) relevant to an overland flight. Each of 7 groups of subjects saw information on the content areas but each group saw a different combination of the Do, Don't, and Why information on each content area. For each content area, one group which did not receive any information was considered a control group. Each of the 7 groups consisted of 10 men and 10 women, half of these 140 subjects were from a rural area and half from urban and suburban areas. The video tape presentation resulted in significant improvements in knowledge of appropriate safety-related behaviors. Do and Don't information, combined, was more beneficial than either Do or Don't information alone. Providing the Don't information alone had no significant effect; neither was the addition of Why information associated with a significant increase in knowledge of what behaviors should or shouldn't be performed.
New Product Characterization through Human Factors Research
Authors: Cannon Thomas G.
Published: January 2012

Human factors research can identify desirable new product characteristics before engineering development takes place. Benefits derived from use of such research are discussed along with the merits of this technique in comparison with those normally used to identify new product concepts.

Human factors research techniques are shown to provide a relatively inexpensive, reliable and objective method of defining new products when compared with methods presently used.
An Analysis of Human Risk Taking in Simulated Occupational Situations
Authors: Fortenberry Jessie C. , Smith Leo A.
Published: January 2012

Human risk-taking in simulated occupational situations containing personal injury as a hazard was investigated. The occupational situations of interest are those requiring manual interaction with active machine components within given time constraints. The results of three studies are presented with emphasis on the third study. The first two investigated the relationship between selected personal attributes and subjects1 risk-taking tendencies as described by the maximum probability of failure under which they would accept a risk. The variables of interest in the first study were principally perceptual-motor skills. The second study was directed at the question: Do introverts and extraverts differ in the amount of risk they are willing to take relative to their abilities, and if so, what causes the difference? In the third study, subjects worked in pairs, (one the decision maker, one the performer) under eight conditions of potential gain or loss. Comparisons were made of the risks subjects selected for themselves and the other person. Personality factors which may influence decision making were measured.
Determinants of Performance Improvement in Training under Time-Sharing Conditions
Authors: Gopher Daniel , North Robert A.
Published: January 2012

A one-dimensional compensatory tracking task and a digit-processing, reaction-time task were combined to assess three aspects of training under time–sharing conditions: (1) Manipulation of desired performance levels for dual-task performance comparing performance under single-task demands vs. adjustment to dual-task demands; (2) training under equal and unequal task priorities in time-sharings; (3) reveated sequence of single-dual task presentations. Six groups of 10 subjects participated in the experiment. Larger performance improvements under time–sharing conditions were observed when performance demands were based on dual–task performances than on single-task performances. Training under unequal task priorities revealed that tracking was more sensitive to priority differences than the digit-processing task. Whereas tracking performances improved during single-task training, digit-processing improved only in the time-sharing conditions, suggesting that improvement on the tracking task is in the specific skill of tracking, while digit-processing improvement results from improved time-sharing ability.
Simulator Cockpit Motion and the Transfer of Initial Flight Training
Authors: Jacobs Robert S. , Roscoe Stanley N.
Published: January 2012

Transfer of flight training from a Singer-Link GAT-2 training simulator, modified to approximate a counterpart Piper Cherokee Arrow airplane, was measured for independent groups of nine flight-naive subjects, each trained in one of three simulator cockpit motion conditions: normal washout motion in bank with sustained pitch angles, washout banking motion in which the direction of motion relative to that of the simulated airplane was randomly reversed 50% of the time as the cab passed through a wings-level attitude, and a fixed-base condition. Subjects received predetermined fixed amounts of practice in the simulator on each of 11 flight maneuvers drawn from the Private Pilot flight curriculum. Transfer performance measures, including flight time and trials to FAA performance criteria and total errors made in the process, showed reliable transfer for all groups with differential transfer effects and cost-effectiveness implications depending upon the type of simulator motion.
The Police Patrol Vehicle: A Human Factors Analysis
Authors: Zajkowski Myron M. , Ludwig Herb , Langolf Gary
Published: January 2012

The purpose of the investigation was to provide a human factors analysis of the police patrol vehicle. Anthropometric analyses were conducted of the primary vehicle controls as well as special secondary controls. Comfort variables such as seating and air were also analyzed. A survey questionnaire was administered and data obtained on the frequency of use, importance, and critical incidents related to the special police items in the vehicle. A number of areas were identified where the vehicle was found to be suboptimal and recommendations were made to correct these deficiencies.
Behavioral Taxonomy of Undergraduate Pilot Training Tasks and Skills
Authors: Meyer Robert P. , Laveson Jack I. , Weissman Neal S. , Eddowes Edward E.
Published: January 2012

The analysis and specification of fundamental flying abilities which comprise the training objectives of Air Force undergraduate pilot training (UPT) was performed. The taxonomy of UPT tasks and skills is an analytical tool of considerable generality that can be used to aid in understanding the essential requirements of flying training. Surface analyses of fifty UPT maneuvers generated task element descriptions subdivided into a series of cue, mental action, and motor action sequences. The resulting task information was used to identify the pilot skills required to execute the flying tasks described. A set of classification rules organized the skills into a taxonornic cubic concept in which cues, mental actions, and motor actions represented cube faces. The classification rules were validated empirically and used to verify all surface analyses. The required task skills were then organized into a matrix system for simple data retrieval operations.
The Tolerance of Subjective Discomfort Induced by Pressure Applied to the Forearm
Authors: Stobbe Terrence J.
Published: January 2012

A study was conducted to determine the ability of the forearm to support weight. The criteria used was the psychophysical effect of pressure on the human forearm. The study was conducted in conjunction with research on a forearm supported tool. Three levels of pressure were applied at different times to two distinct locations on the forearm. Effect was measured in terms of the elapsed time until the subject reported experiencing a subjectively defined level of discomfort. Both sexes were used as subjects in the study.

The results indicate that males tolerate pressure induced discomfort longer than females, pressure applied close to the elbow is tolerated longer than pressure applied closer to the wrist, and tolerance decreases rapidly as pressure increases. Based upon the results, recommendations are made for both future tool design and additional research.
Design and Evaluation of a Personal Dry-Ice Cooling Jacket
Authors: Duncan Jerry , Konz Stephan
Published: January 2012

A personal dry-ice cooling jacket for workers in industrial heat stress environments was developed following three stages of prototype design and evaluation. Model-B2 was evaluated in two laboratory heat stress environments (dry-bulb temperatures of 35 and 45 °C) on two male subjects pedalling 60 minutes. Garment variables were dry-ice surface area and pocket insulation.

Mean heart rate throughout the 60 minute exposure was 14 beats/min less with the jacket in the 45 °C environment and 18 beats/min less in the 35 °C environment. Mean rate of sweat loss was 0.06 kg/hr·m2 less with the jacket at 45 °C and 0.21 less at 35 °C. Mean rectal temperature was 0.61 °C less with the jacket at 45 °C and 0.49 °C less at 35 °C. Both the head and arm temperatures were significantly cooler while wearing the jacket. Oxygen uptake was 24% higher with the jacket, suggesting that heat production by non-shivering thermogenesis may occur when the jacket is worn. Dry-ice surface area affected skin and rectal temperatures.
Adaptive Effects of Static Muscular Strength Training
Authors: Hoag LaVerne L. , Howard J. Robert , Purswell Jerry L.
Published: January 2012

The trend towards mechanization of tasks involving manual labor has increased the importance of static muscular activity (isometric contractions). Information about the physiological reaction to static muscular activity has been increasing rapidly over the last few decades, but little information has been developed on the adaptive responses to chronic exposure to static muscular activity. This paper reports the results of an experiment on adaptive cardiovascular changes to a five week training program in which the % MVC was maintained at 50% for the entire program, i.e., weekly adjustments were made for increases in strength. The only significant change in the cardiovascular response to the training program was an increase in the rate at which the heart rate increased during periods of contraction. The average level of heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure did not change with training. Neither the systolic or diastolic blood pressure modified their rates of change due to training. Significant changes in strength and endurance hold capacity were also noted.
Design Parameters for a Stereoptic Television System Based on Direct Vision Depth Perception Cues
Authors: Shields Nicholas L. , Kirkpatrick Mark , Malone Thomas B. , Huggins Carl T.
Published: January 2012

Remotely controlled systems which use television for visual feedback require that depth cues be available to the operator. A number of techniques have been developed to provide stereoptic video, An analysis of parameters of such systems as related to the depth cues of convergence and retinal disparity was carried out. Parameter requirements were determined for the provision of natural and exaggerated stereoptic cues and expressions were developed for range resolution limits based on the retinal disparity threshold. An empirical study was conducted using a stereoptic video system to determine threshold values.
A Systems Approach Comes to Personnel Management
Authors: Leuba Harald R.
Published: January 2012

A perennial problem — performance evaluation — yields to a dependable problem solving approach.

As the result of a systems analysis approach, we were able to:

(a) Identify the purpose of performance evaluation: (b) Specify the value of performance evaluation: (c) List a set of specific characteristics which must be true of a performance evaluation system if it is to work well; and (d) Design an illustrative performance evaluation system which meets those criteria, and which works!

The illustrative performance evaluation system is now available for use.
Sedentary Work by Females in Hot Environments
Authors: Ramsey J. D. , Pai S.B.
Published: January 2012

Performance by females on sedentary work tasks did not show meaningful decrement as a function of work place temperatures. In general, females showed less effect on performance in hot environments than did male subjects engaged in the same work activities.
Human Factors in Health Care
Authors: Bonjer Frederick H.
Published: January 2012

The objectives of health care are described as prevention of disease, medical care and rehabilitation. Each objective requires an adequate system. The common aspects and the specific requirements of these systems are discussed with reference to what a human factors approach can contribute to the quality and the efficiency of health care.
Ergonomics and the Consumer
Authors: Ivergård Toni B.K.
Published: January 2012

This paper begins with an introduction and description of the background to this area; more general environmental aspects and certain chemical risks are then dealt with, followed by a discussion of accidents arising from consumer products. Finally, marketing of products from an ergonomic viewpoint and other aspects will be discussed.
The Effectiveness of Pre-Employment Strength Testing for Manual Materials Handling Jobs
Authors: Chaffin Don B. , Herrin Gary D.
Published: January 2012

With the advent of both affirmative action programs for women and disabled individuals and the growing need for better occupational health and safety programs in heavy industry, it has become necessary to develop more objective pre-employment selection and employee placement tests. This paper reviews the eight years of research conducted on this subject by the University of Michigan, Human Performance and Safety Research Laboratory. Various human strength testing methodologies are described and critiqued. Population strength data are reviewed as they pertain to the problem of matching a person's physical capabilities to a job's physical demands.

The development and use of biomechanical strength models are reviewed, and their potential contributions and limitations are enumerated. Several major results of the use of such models for the design of manual materials handling tasks are presented. The transition from such biomechanical analyses to the development of a physical job evaluation methodology is presented. Two studies using this job evaluation methodology are then described.

The first study involved over 100 jobs requiring significant manual materials handling which were located in five different plants. The workers on these jobs were strength tested. Any low-back problems developed by these people were carefully documented over a one-year period. The results indicated that those jobs requiring high strength performance were associated with about an eight times higher incidence rate of low-back pain than the jobs having little strength requirement. Also, it was shown that those employees having a high strength capacity were significantly less prone (about 3X less) to low-back pain when required to lift heavy loads than their weaker peers.

The second study describes a larger on-going study of the same nature as the first. This study involves over 900 job evaluations. The jobs are located in six different plants. As people are transferred or hired into these jobs, their strengths are assessed by standardized tests, and a medical history is obtained. Both supervisor performance ratings and medical incident data are recorded while the person remains on the job. Correlations between the job demands relative to a person's strength test results and their performance and medical incident scores are reported as a measure of how effective strength testing could be in achieving a better employee/job match.
Driving Simulator for Studying the Working Situation on Farm Tractors in the Operation of Forage Harvesters
Authors: Sjøflot Lars
Published: January 2012

Design and function of a driving simulator making use of tractors and forage harvesters in full scale are given. The NORD-20 process computer are used for controlling the functions, programming the simulated operation and for some data processing. Recordings are made of controlling performance, driver's heart rate, sitting posture and judgements. Different steering devices and use of rear view mirrors are studied, using subjects with and without practical experience in operating this equipment. Some examples of results and relations to practical operation are given.
Task Analysis of the Independent Duty Submarine Corpsman for Application to Computerized Medical Diagnosis
Authors: Ryack Bernard L. , Moeller George O. , Ross Michael F. , Smock Richard P. , Arsu Danny A.
Published: January 2012

A task analysis of the corpsman on board nuclear submarines is described. This analysis forms the basis for the determination of the feasibility of a shipboard computer aided diagnostic system which would permit the corpsman to interact with the computer as he would a medical consultant. The system would serve as a partial substitute for shore based facilities and medical personnel during missions requiring communication restrictions. Preliminary data is presented.
The Neglected Alliance: Human Factors and Market Research
Authors: Cannon Thomas G. , Hasty Ronald W.
Published: January 2012

The traditional role of human factors has been to support engineering activity in relating man to machines. This relationship has been uncritically accepted as appropriate in the consumer product area with the result that most human factors activity takes place during engineering development. The human factors specialist in such circumstances often finds that proper weight is not given to human factor requirements when they conflict with engineering goals.

Many of these conflict problems faced by human factors specialists in achieving acceptance by manufacturers of consumer products could be resolved by demonstrating that human factors research can complement and expand the role of marketing research as it relates to new product development.

Marketing research has developed as a specialized communications function to obtain and analyze information about the market and the companies' product, promotion, distribution, and pricing activities in serving it. The role of marketing research relative to product planning varies by company, many, if not most, major firms use marketing research to define the market in terms of types, numbers, and kinds of customers, customer needs regarding a product category, what products are satisfying those needs, the important product attributes, and the standards used by consumers to evaluate the efficiency of the product.

This paper focuses on the areas where the role of marketing research in new product development has been ill defined. A complementary role for human factors methodology in defining new product opportunities and specific product attributes is postulated. Suggestion's are made for promoting greater awareness among marketing specialists of the benefits offered by the use of human factors research.
Integration of Human Factors into Electronic Digital Watch Design
Authors: Le Cocq Andrew D.
Published: January 2012

Integrating human factors considerations into the design of a digital watch involved a number of factors relating to both display and control considerations. This paper discusses studies performed to determine specific display and control requirements during the design of the Texas Instruments Microelectronic Digital watch. These studies included Light Emitting Diode (LED) and display filter selection, automatic brightness dimming and operational procedures.
Ergonomic Aspects of Aging and the Built Environment
Authors: Grandjean Etienne
Published: January 2012

Old age is characterized by curtailment of mobility, frequent physical impairments and diminished mental ability. Old people need an adaptation of housing equipment to their reduced physical abilities: smaller reaching areas in the kitchen, safe bath tubs with vertical and horizontal hand grips, doors without thresholds, and non-slip floorings as well as relatively large living rooms, since they spend most of their time at home.
A Measure of Safety Effectiveness
Authors: McDaniel William C.
Published: January 2012

Managerial decisions concerning safety programs are often made using accident rates as a criterion of safety effectiveness. This paper describes a concept based on the Poisson process that may provide a better criterion of safety effectiveness than presently used accident rates. Results indicate this conceptual model may be more sensitive than accident rates in determining overall safety effectiveness and hazard reduction.
A Computer Simulation Approach for Analyzing Occupational Accidents
Authors: Smillie Robert J. , Ayoub Mahmoud A.
Published: January 2012

How do accidents happen? A question that plagued scientific research for years, but remains the main concern for research and practitioners in safety and health.

No one theory seems to be adequate to explain all accidents. Epidemiology offers some insight into the accident investigation by analyzing the interaction of host, agent, and environment. Only the modeling approach offers the flexibility needed to study all the factors involved in the accident phenomenon. This study used a computer algorithm, the Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (Q-GERT), to model the accident process. Five simulation examples were presented to illustrate the basic concepts and flexibility of the proposed approach. Discussion focused on the usefulness of this simulation technique as an aid for the accident investigator in the discovery of potential hazards in the occupational system.
Typical Features of Tasks in Which Accidents Occur
Authors: Saari Jorma
Published: January 2012

The aim of the study was to determine the typical features of tasks in which accidents occur. The study was based on the hypothesis that work hazards do not themselves cause accidents but that certain task characteristics have a significant effect upon the probability of accidents.

Tasks in the metal industry were observed for 3 months. Both the task and the working conditions involved were described for every accident that occurred in certain factories. The tasks performed in randomly selected workplaces of the same factories were also described.
Ergonomical Analysis of Strenuous Work in Female Textile Employees
Authors: Nemecek Jan
Published: January 2012

The main task of the investigated women consisted in moving cops weighing about 3 kg with the left and then with the right hand over a distance of about 90 cm. Altogether 2200 - 3000 kg were manipulated with each hand. 29 women were examined. A telemetrical recording of the pulse rate during two hours was performed, completed by an inquiry on subjective feelings of fatigue and pain by a self-rating procedure before and after work. The results show that a working pulse of 30 is exceeded in about one third of all cases. Feelings of fatigue, pains in the shoulder and the wrist, total work performance and working pulse seem to be related to the degree of training and adaptation to the specific work. The usability of generally accepted valuation criteria and of the reasonable strain threshold value for heavy woman's work with a great deal of static muscle effort in practical operation is discussed. Recommendations for work simplification were elaborated.
Driver Fatigue: A Study of Two Types of Countermeasures
Authors: Snook Stover H. , Dolliver James J.
Published: January 2012

This study investigated the effectiveness of auditory stimulation and performance feedback as fatigue countermeasures. Two types of auditory stimulation were used: (1) specially programmed music and (2) recordings of current news events. Two types of performance feedback came from (1) lateral position tracking and (2) speed tracking. It was hypothesized that each of the four countermeasures would significantly improve driver performance by reducing driver fatigue. Ten subjects were required to complete a series of three hour test sessions driving an automobile simulator. Each subject completed six control sessions without any of the countermeasures, followed by six experimental sessions utilizing one of the four countermeasures. Some subjects continued on with additional groups of six experimental sessions, each group with a different countermeasure. Dependent variables included lateral position error, speed variation, steering reversals, heart rate, and subjective fatigue. The results show that lateral position feedback was the only countermeasure that resulted in a consistent and significant improvement in driver performance. The results also suggest that early indications of speed variation and steering reversals are possible predictors of one's susceptibility to fatigue and poor performance during long distance driving, although further research is necessary.
The Interaction between Causally-Implicated Driver Mental and Physical Conditions and Driver Errors Causing Traffic Accidents
Authors: Shinar David , McDonald Stephen T. , Treat John R.
Published: January 2012

The relationships between driver behaviors causing and immediately preceding an accident (Direct Causes), and accident causitive impairments in drivers' predisposing mental and physical states (Indirect Causes) were analyzed from a representative sample of 420 traffic accidents. A Relative Involvement Factor (RIF) was developed to reflect the change in the likelihood of any accident-causing behavior being implicated given the existence of a causally relevant mental or physical impairment. The analysis indicates that causative conditions and states suppress certain direct causes while increasing the likelihood of others. Specific relationships are discussed.
The Development of Sammie for Computer Aided Work Place and Work Task Design
Authors: Bonney M.C. , Case K.
Published: January 2012

Computer assistance with the design and evaluation of work places and work tasks is relatively new. However, a variety of approaches and models have been used by different workers and the work has moved beyond testing feasibility towards providing designers with a practical tool.

This paper traces the development of SAMMIE and associated software and examines the lessons that this holds for future developments. The original development which started in 1967 consisted of a man model, a work place modelling system and a way to describe and evaluate work tasks. The restructured SAMMIE system places greater emphasis on usability and the structuring of the software. The decisions involved in the modelling, the facilities included in the model and the implications for data collection, presentation and accessibility are examined in the light of case studies performed and proposed design uses.