bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are Specifications of Signaling Systems for Emergency, School Bus, and Service Vehicles Adequate?
Authors: Post David V.
Published: July 2017

Although accident data are limited, a review of the lighting requirements for special purpose vehicles including police, fire, ambulance, highway maintenance, and service vehicles, revealed that lighting systems for these vehicles are poorly specified. A lack of consistancy, rigor, and meaningfulness is evident both in legal specifications and current use of light signaling systems on emergency and non-emergency special purpose vehicles. Adoption of a proposed signaling scheme for special purpose vehicles is recommended. By nationwide implementation of such a scheme both consistancy and meaningfulness could be imparted to special purpose vehicular signaling. Rigor will have to be derived from research aimed at determining the proper parameters to produce conspicuous signal lights.
Insight in Decision Tasks: Some Neglected Applications for Training
Authors: Ruffner John W.
Published: July 2017

This paper reviews recent research pertainig to insight in decision making tasks and suggests possible applications for the development and conduct of training. The role of judgment and decision making in training is addressed with special emphasis on decision makers' insight. After considering the meaning and measurement of insight, data from a recent study are presented suggesting that insight is contingent on task parameters. Theoretical and empirical issues which may limit the adaptability of insight to training are discussed and several questions are proposed for future research.
Predicting Optimal Training Group Assignment
Authors: Williges Beverly H. , Williges Robert C. , Savage Ricky E.
Published: July 2017

Multiple regression equations were used to assign 40 students to fixed-difficulty or adaptive training based upon the shorter predicted time-to-train score. In addition, 40 students were randomly assigned to the two training conditions, and 40 students were mismatched to training based upon the longer predicted time to train. Using predicted scores to match students to training alternatives resulted in a 47% savings in training time over random assignment and a 53% savings over mismatched assignment. The assignment effect was reliable at the 0.0001 level. Future research will examine different categories of predictors, additional training alternatives, and more complex training tasks.
Transfer of Landing Skill after Training with Supplementary Visual Cues
Authors: Lintern Gavan
Published: July 2017

An aircraft simulator with a closed-loop computer-generated visual display, was used to teach flight-naive subjects to land. A control training condition in which subjects learned to land with reference to a skeletal airport scene consisting of a horizon, runway, centerline, and aiming bar, was tested against training with constantly augmented feedback, adaptively augmented feedback, and a flightpath tracking display. A simulator-to-simulator transfer-of-training design showed that adaptively trained subjects performed best in a transfer task that was identical to the control group's training condition. Several subjects attempted six landings in a light airplane after they had completed their experimental work in the simulator. They performed better than another group of subjects that had not had any landing practice in the simulator.
A Constrained Maximization Extension to Incremental Transfer Effectiveness, or, How to Mix Your Training Technologies
Authors: Carter George , Trollip Stanley
Published: July 2017

The incremental transfer effectiveness concept can be extended to a constrained maximization context by replotting the data to form a set of iso-transfer contours and adding constraints to this same graph as binding linear functions. This transformation permits an analytically elegant solution to maximizing transfer of training dynamically constrained by financial, environmental, reliability, or other restricting factors for any number of instructional technologies through application of the Lagrange Multiplier method. Alternatively, the dual problem of finding the minimum value of these constraints can be solved to achieve a specified transfer of training. An example of applying the Lagrange Multiplier method to training is provided and the potential usefulness of mathematical programming techniques noted. This extension is particularly useful in complex training environments involving numerous instructional technologies or frequently changing constraints. In the single instructional technology case, this extension provides additional graphical insight into the trade-offs involved in designing cost-effective training programs.
Advanced Transport Operation Effects on Pilot Scan Patterns
Authors: Harris Randall L. , Mixon Randolph W.
Published: July 2017

Long straight-in and close-in, curved, descending instrument approaches were made in NASA's fixed-base Terminal Configured Vehicle simulator. The pilot either manually controlled the simulator or monitored the automatic system control of the simulated aircraft during the approach. Tests were performed with or without the display of traffic. The results indicate that the pilots' use of the Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator (EHSI) increased appreciably for the close-in, curved, descending approach compared to the conventional straight-in approach. When operating as a monitor of the autopilot system, the pilot scanned around more with less attention devoted to the Electronic Attitude Direction Indicator (EADI). The pilots preferred the manual mode because it kept them in the control loop. The addition of displayed traffic to the EHSI increased the pilots' use of the EHSI with a corresponding reduction in his use of the EADI. Also, the pilot's pupil diameter increased during the landing flare indicating a higher stress level even though the tests were conducted in a fixed-base simulator.
Operator Visual Workload Shifts as a Function of Vehicle Stability
Authors: Simmons Ronald R. , Kimball Kent A.
Published: July 2017

This research was initiated to compare the visual performance/workload of pilots during fixed wing and rotary wing flights. The corneal reflection technique was used to obtain the visual data. The results demonstrate that visual performance/workload of the pilots was different for each aircraft. Because the major difference between the aircraft was the aerodynamic stability, it was assumed that the visual workload was in fact a function of aircraft stability. The overall purpose of such research has been to provide information concerning pilots' visual requirements for safe mission accomplishment.
Evaluation of a Pilot Workload Metric for Simulated VTOL Landing Tasks
Authors: North R. A. , Graffunder K.
Published: July 2017

A methodological approach to measuring workload was investigated for evaluation of new concepts in VTOL aircraft displays. Multivariate discriminant functions were formed from conventional flight performance and/or visual response variables to maximize detection of experimental differences. The flight performance variable discriminant showed maximum differentiation between crosswind conditions. The visual response measure discriminant maximized differences between fixed vs. motion base conditions and experimental displays. Physiological variables were used to attempt to predict the discriminant function values for each subject/condition/trial. The weights of the physiological variables in these equations showed agreement with previous studies. High muscle tension, light but irregular breathing patterns, and higher heart rate with low amplitude all produced higher scores on this scale and thus, represented higher workload levels.
A Review of Literature Relating to Visual Fatigue
Authors: Smith Wanda J.
Published: July 2017

The design of workstations with visual displays has become the subject of considerable interest and concern during the past few years. One area of concern relates to the assumption that long term viewing of such displays at close focal distances may contribute to visual fatigue. A second is the effect on the human visual system of the frequent changes in surface illumination associated with display units used in combination with hard copy documents. As a consequence of these and other concerns, the popular press has published articles that have aroused the interest of various scientific organizations regarding the subject of these effects. This paper discusses a review of some of the literature regarding a limited aspect of this issue, namely the accommodation and pupillary systems as they relate to long term viewing of visual display units.
Visual Search and Color Coding
Authors: Carter Robert C.
Published: July 2017

Several experiments were conducted to investigate the effects on search time of display and personnel characteristics. Search time increased by an order of magnitude when the number of display items of the target's color increased from one to the display density. Items not of the target's color affected search time to the extent that their color was similar to that of the target. The similarity of the colors was found to be well represented by a color difference calculation. The distribution on the display of target-colored items also affected search time. Personnel characteristics, including several measures of ability and experience, were unrelated to search speed.
Findings from a Study of Tactical Symbology for Fighter Aircraft Displays
Authors: Kopala Carole Jean
Published: July 2017

Pilot flight performance and symbol recognition performance using a proposed symbology set for a fighter aircraft real-time combat situation display were measured. Significant performance differences attributed to the individual symbol types (aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, and anti-aircraft artillery) and symbol states (hostile, unknown, and friendly) are discussed.
The Effectiveness of Warning Labels
Authors: Loewenthal A. , Riley M. W.
Published: July 2017

Six subjects viewed sixteen different warning and nonwarning labels on four different colors. Results indicate that color alone was not a significant factor in label indication. Also, the messages on the label and the subjects have a significant effect on label identification.
Human Factors Analysis of a Multi-Function Digital Watch
Authors: Mauro Charles L. , Bowen Hugh M. , Coskuntuna Semra , Gilfoil David M.
Published: July 2017

An electronic wristwatch and its instruction manual were tested and evaluated against the following criteria: self-evidency, accessibility to information, and responsiveness to the user. The task was to change the time by one hour with or without using the instructions. Objective data (time/event data) and subjective data (evaluative, opinionative, and comment data) were collected by using persons with different backgrounds. The preliminary analysis of data indicated that none of the participants could do the task without the instructions. Participants reported a high degree of frustration with the use of the watch and the instructions. Overall implications are that the watch and its instructions are not compatible with the needs and limitations of the average consumer.

The watch was re-designed. All the sophisticated functions were retained, but made self-evident and accessible to the user.

The test-evaluation-comparison of the two watch designs is ongoing.
Task Taxonomies and Modeling for System Performance Prediction
Authors: Berry Gayle Lynn
Published: July 2017

The problem of predicting performance of complex human machine systems is a very difficult one. The use of task-oriented simulation models makes this problem more tractable, but by no means converts it to a trivial exercise. The difficulty of determining an appropriate abstract model from analysis of the actual human machine system remains. An approach is suggested for developing a systematic method of analyzing human machine systems and for formulating a task-oriented model from the analysis results. The role of task taxonomies in systematic analysis is discussed.
Development of a Cost Effective Training System for Roof Bolt Equipment Operators
Authors: McDonald L. Bruce
Published: July 2017

The objective of this paper is to present two concepts which may assist fellow human factors personnel in selling safety and training programs to hard nosed managers in industry and government. Most often, proposed training and safety programs are presented to management as a means of making employees happy and safe. The justification for the program is that management owes its employees a happy and safe working environment. However, managers are judged by their superiors based on the extent to which they provide a product or service at a reasonable cost.
The Concept of Macro-Basic Research in Human Factors
Authors: Meister D.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this paper is to describe certain Human Factors (HF) research topics that are fundamental to our understanding of human performance in systems. Other key subjects addressed are: the system concept; the relationship between HF and Psychology; the role of academically-oriented research in HF; and government funding of HF research.
Sources of Productivity Gains in Office Automation
Authors: Elkind Jerome I.
Published: July 2017

The cost and availability of office information workers are becoming increasingly important problems at the professional-managerial as well as at the secretarial-clerical level. Electronics and computer technologies are rapidly approaching the point at which cost effective systems for improving office worker productivity are becoming feasible for wide scale use. These systems make possible, and in fact, encourage, simplification of the work flow processes within the office, and this simplification is a major source of productivity gains. Results from studies with advanced office systems in a professional environment will be discussed in this paper from the point of view of the process changes that they cause and the productivity gains that resulted.
The Laws of Anchoring When There are Two Anchors
Authors: Zakay Dan
Published: July 2017

A study was conducted to explore the phenomenon of anchoring in situations where two anchors are presented. It was hypothesized that subjects will use the subjective reliability perceived for each source of information as a weight. Three types of anchoring behaviours were founds 1) The algebraic mean of the two potential anchors was used as an anchor. 2) The most reliable source of information was used as an anchor. 3) None of the information sources were used as an anchor.
Legibility of Smoke-Obscured Emergency Exit Signs
Authors: Rasmussen P. G. , Chesterfield B. P. , Lowrey D. L.
Published: July 2017

Internally self-illuminated emergency exit signs were investigated to determine the effects of size and background luminance levels on overcoming the visual degradation resulting from the presence of smoke in the visual environment. The results indicate that increased size and background luminance levels can be effective, though inefficient, methods for improving legibility in the presence of dense smoke.
Flight Parameters and Observer Performance in RPV Target Acquisition
Authors: Mutschler Hartmut
Published: July 2017

Real time air-to-ground reconnaissance by means of a remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) requires the observer to detect and to identify military objects in rastered imagery of terrain scenes under time constraint. Accordingly, his performance depends on parameters of the scene, of the RPV-system, and of his visual information processing. In this paper, an investigation of observer's performance as a function of several system parameters (flight altitude, speed, line of sight of the sensor, frame rate) is reported.
Evaluating Operator Performance on Automated Tactical Systems
Authors: Howard Charles W. , Taylor Bruce H.
Published: July 2017

The U.S. Army's Patriot missile system features many advanced automated capabilities. The sophistication of this system raises the possibility that human intervention will actually degrade its performance. Efforts are underway to develop a performance measure that may be used to gauge these effects. A tentative measure has been derived and is currently being validated and refined. Present and future applications for such a metric are discussed.
Automated Speech Processing in Military Team Training
Authors: Knerr C. Mazie , Popelka Beverly A.
Published: July 2017

Automated speech technology and intelligent computer assisted instruction offer unique solutions to problems of training teams in communication and coordination skills. At this point in the emergence of automated speech technology, scientists have only begun to explore its training uses. This report reviews the goals and accomplishments of automated speech processing and its application to training, especially military team training.
Simulated A-10 Combat Environment
Authors: Kellog Robert S. , Prather Dirk C. , Castore Carl H.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of using the Advanced Simulator for Pilot Training (ASPT) in training pilots for combat in a simulated hostile environment. A combat environment was developed in which the A-10 aircraft was flown. The environment included mountaineous terrain, enemy surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and anti aircraft artillery (AAA). The offensive target was a tank located at random along the roadway. The pilots flew the mission in real time and were scored on offensive and defensive procedures. They showed clear learning for those procedures in the simulator.
Cognitive Styles and the Acquisition of a Complex Aerial Maneuver
Authors: Koonce Jefferson M. , McCloy Thomas M.
Published: July 2017

Approximately equal number of male (45) and female (43) Air Force Academy cadets learned a complex aerial maneuver (chandelle) on a desk-top flight simulator. These cadets had participated in a previous experiment (Koonce & Berry, 1980) where they were given a battery of tests which tapped several cognitive and perceptual-motor areas. Of special interest in the present study was the relationship of the various congitive factors to the rate of acquisition of the complex aerial maneuver. Prior to the introduction of the complex maneuver all subjects were trained to criterion level on four basic instrument flight maneuvers (Koonce & McCley, 1980). Then they learned how to fly the complex maneuver with the number of trials required to reach criterion performance as the dependent variable. Results indicated cognitive factors were very significant in predicting complex maneuver performance. Additionally, individually tailoring the regression equations by sex as opposed to utilizing a general overall regression equation greatly enhanced predictive capability.
A User-Oriented Evaluation of Computer-Aided Message Handling
Authors: Goodwin Nancy C.
Published: July 2017

The Military Message Experiment was an operational evaluation of a computer-aided message-handling system, used by members of CINCPAC's Operations Directorate for a variety of message-handling tasks. The system enabled messages to be delivered to action officers faster and with less effort than with manual procedures. It facilitated access to a broad range of information, and gave its users more control over the messages they read. The system was less useful for initial review of incoming messages, and for handling outgoing messages.
Human Factors in Medical Real Time Dialogue Systems: A Case Study
Authors: Trispel S. , Rau G. , Schlimgen R. , Kalff G.
Published: July 2017

Monitoring patient and machine status in the operating room will be supported by small but powerful computers in the future. The added computer power will be used for diagnosis and decision aiding, as well as record keeping of events not automatically measurable. We looked at the problems and possible solutions in the case where information exchange between system and physician occurs via monitor and menu selection techniques, with the help of touch input interactions. Studies of the anesthetist's activities during heart surgery (one of the most complex operations) show that system adaptation to the user is extremely important to achieve system acceptance. Three design principles must therefore be observed: setting up situation dependent system configurations including user preferences and practice, building transparent systems by realizing the parallel user-interface, and putting as much consistency as possible into the system's behavior.
The Effects of Social Facilitation on Vigilance Performance
Authors: Linger Kenneth , Copeland Melinda G. , Roth J. Thomas , Halcomb Charles G. , McGlynn Richard P.
Published: July 2017

Two experiments were conducted to determine if vigilance performance could be reliably improved by the presence of potentially evaluative or nonevaluative coactors, and to examine differential predictions regarding the necessary conditions for social facilitation. Neither the mere presence of a coactor nor the presence of evaluation potential was found to improve performance.
Theories of Vigilance: A Modern Perspective
Authors: Loeb Michel , Alluisi Earl A.
Published: July 2017

The principal and most influential theories of vigilance, categorized as learning theories, neurological models, psychophysical models, and information processing models, are reviewed and evaluated. It is pointed out that often their differences are more real than apparent and that no one of them accounts for all of the current data.
Scaling of Perceived Optical Distortion
Authors: Ward Frank E. , Quinn Daniel F.
Published: July 2017

When observers make subjective judgments about a physical stimulus attribute, one is studying the relationship between physical and psychological scales. If the physical stimulus is clearly multidimensional, the relationship of the physical and psychological scales is not always obvious. We have carried out two studies to explore scaling of patterns that simulate optically induced visual distortions. In the first study, subjects rank-ordered computer generated sine wave patterns in order of distortion severity. The rankings corresponded to the physical parameters of frequency and amplitude. In the second study, all possible pairs of 48 stimuli were rated on a dissimilarity index. The data were analyzed by a non-metric multidimensional scaling procedure. We found that a third dimension, in addition to frequency and amplitude was necessary to adequately describe the data.
Physiological Work Load Analysis in Lifting and Lowering Plastic Container
Authors: Morioka M. , Kishida K. , Saito M. , Horino S.
Published: July 2017

This study was conducted to assess physiological work load of manual handling works such as lifting and lowering plastic beverage container which have been considered to be causative for shoulder or back ache occurring in industrial fields. Energy metabolism in lifting and lowering works was closely related to the increase of handling load under given conditions. Both lifting and lowering works seemed ineffective in comparing bicycle ergometer task with higher O2-debt ratio while they showed an equivalent level in heart rate in relation to handling amount (mkp/min). The most economical working frequency with the least O2-requirement existed at around 10–15 times/min both in lifting and lowering works.
Overview of the Air Force Program in Workload Assessment
Authors: O'Donnell Robert D.
Published: July 2017

The Aerospace Medical Division of the U.S. Air Force has recognized the need to develop a comprehensive program to define assessment techniques presently available in measuring the workload imposed by systems, to develop new techniques, and eventually to standardize the approach used for this purpose. A joint program between the Air Force Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory and the School of Aerospace Medicine has therefore been developed. The short-term program goals are evolved from field requirements determined through large scale surveys, time-line analyses of systems, and other observational techniques. Using these, existing methods for answering workload questions are being evaluated with a goal toward short-term standardization of techniques within the Air Force. From a longer range point-of-view, new metrics, both behavioral and neurophysiological, are being investigated. As sensitive non-obstrusive measures are isolated, they will be incorporated into the standardized testing procedures. Ultimately, the program points toward development of computer modeling techniques to permit man-rating of systems with respect to workload at an early stage of system design.
Some Current Issues in Workload Assessment
Authors: Eggemeier F. Thomas
Published: July 2017

Two current issues related to operator workload assessment include the effects of operator strategy on levels of load experienced by the operator and the nature of operator information processing capacities and resources. Several current positions related to each of these issues are presented, and implications for workload assessment are discussed. It is concluded that workload is a multidimensional construct which requires the development of an assessment battery which should include subjective, performance-based, and physiological measures.
Some Human Factors Aspects of Cursor Positioning
Authors: Knight James L.
Published: July 2017

Interactions between a user and a computer-terminal information display generally require the user to specify regions of the display for modification, editing, selection, etc. One method involves moving a cursor to the intended action area. Several human factors aspects of cursor positioning are discussed.
Design Criteria for Decision Aids—The Users Perspective
Authors: Mackie Robert R.
Published: July 2017

The opinions of over 200 Navy personnel serving aboard ASW aircraft, surface ships and submarines were solicited to identify factors that will influence acceptance and use of a wide variety of computer-generated decision aids designed to assist mission planning, search procedures, target detection, classification, localization, and attack. User concerns about the design and use of decision aids are described and some recommendations for addressing those concerns are made.
Human Factor Data in Nuclear Power Plant Applications
Authors: Hecht Linda O.
Published: July 2017

Due to the concern for safety the nuclear power industry in the United States has fostered the use of reliability analysis to assess system performance and the impact of system failure on overall plant safety. The need for system and component failure rate data has been recognized and has spurred such efforts as NPRDS (Nuclear Power Research Data System) and IEEE's Std 500 (The Reliability Data Manual). Reliability modeling techniques have been developed for application to nuclear systems and are presently being considered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for licensing purposes.
The Use of Human Factors Principles in Power Plant Design
Authors: Oliver James A.
Published: July 2017

The achievement of maximum electric power plant availability has, in the past decade, become a matter of economic necessity, and recently, a matter of increasing political necessity. It has been estimated by knowledgeable utility personnel that the average fossil fuel steam generating system currently has an availability level of approximately 70 percent and that 50 percent of the lost availability is due to human error. It has further been determined that many of these errors are situation induced. The causitive problem is then the design process.
Brake Responses of Unsuspecting Drivers to High-Mounted Brake Lights
Authors: Sivak Michael , Post David V. , Olson Paul L. , Donohue Robert J.
Published: July 2017

This study evaluated brake responses of unsuspecting drivers to brake-signal presentations using a conventional brake-lamp system with and without supplemental high-mounted brake lamp(s). The signals were presented during the daytime at speeds of 48–72 km/h. The main finding is that the signals given by the systems with one or two supplemental high-mounted brake lamps were more likely to produce a brake response by a following driver. On the other hand, the reaction times of the brake responses did not vary between the systems. The implications of the findings as well as comparisons with other relevant studies are discussed.
Safety Implications of Repeated Exposure to Near-Infrared Radiation
Authors: Moffitt Kirk
Published: July 2017

Eye safety implications of repeatedly exposing human subjects to near-infrared radiation were explored. Of particular interest was the infrared radiation emitted by the GaAs diode source of an eye tracking device. The reported safety analysis was considered inadequate in that it was based on short exposure durations, one-time accidental exposures, and/or laser sources. Measurements made in our laboratory of the device's output were related to recent retinal damage threshold data obtained from a GaAs diode. A decision was made to attach a stop to the eye tracker's infrared source to limit the radiation output to a value less than 10% of the critical threshold for retinal damage.
Performance and Aesthetic Effects of Daylight
Authors: Santamaria Juan G. , Bennett Corwin A.
Published: July 2017

An experimental booth was constructed wherein north daylight or cool white fluorescent from either the side or top could be provided with the artificial horizontal illuminance matched to the daylight illuminance (at 320 to 860 lx). Thirty college student subjects performed needle threading, proofreading and graphreading tasks without awareness of the type of light source. Semantic scales were also used to assess aesthetic reactions to the lighting treatments. Speed of performance was very little affected by lighting type although a few small differences favored daylighting and sidelighting. Under these experimental conditions aesthetic variations were also small. It was concluded: For common visual tasks and workplaces if extraneous effects are controlled, there seems to be little if any advantage of daylighting over artificial lighting.
The Effects of Noise: A Review
Authors: Gawron Valerie J.
Published: July 2017

Knowledge of the effect of noise on performance is limited and generally inconclusive. Previous research indicates that the effect may depend on the subject's psychological set, that is, the belief that noise degrades, facilitates, or has no effect on performance. The type and complexity of the task being performed may also influence the effect of noise. Performance of tasks having an auditory component or that are perceptually or cognitively demanding, tends to worsen in noise. Higher intensities and longer durations of noise exposures also tend to produce poor performance. But the results of manipulating the above variables are not consistent. Relevant research is presented and reviewed.
The Structure of Processing Resources: Implications for Task Configuration and Workload
Authors: Wickens Christopher , Derrick William , Berringer Dennis , Micalizzi John
Published: July 2017

The processing resources enabling dual task performance are modeled as a vector quantity, with dimensions defined by processing stages, processing codes, and processing modalities. This multidimensional conception is employed to model operator workload and to predict task interference patterns, employing a Sternberg task methodology. The implications to time-sharing performance are addressed as they pertain to the stage dimensions (Experiment 1: Manual Tracking), the code dimension (Experiment 2: Failure detection), and the code and modality dimension (Experiment 3: Multi-element monitoring).
Instrument Scan—Is it an Indicator of the Pilot's Workload?
Authors: Ephrath A. R. , Tole J. R. , Stephens A. T. , Young L. R.
Published: July 2017

This presentation describes an investigation of the relationship between an aircraft pilot's visual scanning of instruments and his level of mental activity during a simulated approach and landing. The study was motivated by the increasing concern, in several areas of man-machine interaction, with the effects of changes in manual control and monitoring procedures on mental workload. This concern is particularly keen with regard to airline pilots, air traffic controllers, power plant operators, and personnel in control of large ocean-going vessels, since the cost of error can be quite high in any of these man-machine systems.
Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER): Auditory Digit Span Task
Authors: McCafferty Denise B. , Bittner Alvah C. , Carter Robert C.
Published: July 2017

Auditory digit span was evaluated as an instrument for repeated measurements experimentation. Twelve subjects were tested for one hour on each of 12 consecutive workdays in a standard environment. Both forward and backward digit span were measured. It was found that forward digit span was suitable for repeated measures after ten days of practice at 30 minutes per day. The criteria for suitability were predictability of the mean scores, constancy of the standard deviations and differential stability of the intertrial correlations. These criteria are sufficient conditions both for repeated measures Analysis of Variance, and for interpretation of experimental effects. Although the backward digit span scores did not meet these criteria, they became more and more correlated with the forward digit span scores as the experiment progressed. This indicates that the mental content of the two tests of memory converged with practice. One implication of this finding is to question the meaningfulness of factor structure after only limited practice. The forward auditory digit span test was recommended for inclusion in a battery of Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER).
Item Recognition as a Performance Evaluation Test for Environmental Research
Authors: Carter Robert C. , Kennedy Robert S. , Bittner Alvah C. , Krause Michele
Published: July 2017

Item Recognition (Sternberg, 1966) is a task which reflects the operation of human memory. This task was considered as a candidate for use in a battery of Performance Evaluation Tests for Environmental Research (PETER). Environmental research involves comparison of performances in a baseline environment and in a novel environment. It is desirable that scores be stable at different occasions in the baseline environment, so that changes due to the novel environment will be clear if they occur. It was found that item recognition results were similar to those obtained by other investigations, although the traditional item recognition score (slope) was unreliable across repeated measurements. The response time (RT) was stable for each of the four memory set sizes (1, 2, 3 & 4 items), from the standpoint of reliability, after the fourth session.
Task Analytic Approach to Human Performance Battery Development
Authors: Shannon Richard H.
Published: July 2017

Task analytic methods were used to isolate critical components of naval student flight performance. This goal was accomplished by utilizing factor and regression analyses to compare student maneuver errors during primary training to the overall phase grades of primary, basic and advanced. The results indicated that flight ability skills appear to be best measured by basic transitions, coordination flying and entries to dirty configurations. These items could be measured within a flight simulator. In a laboratory, these skills could best be measured by a performance battery which contained memory, problem-solving, continuous tracking tasks, and a time-sharing capability between continuous tracking and discrete tasks. In conclusion, the task analytic procedure was determined to be a feasible and useful undertaking in the development of performance measurement systems such as the PETER project.
The Effects of Mercury Exposure on the Performance of a Binary Classification Task
Authors: Smith Philip J. , Langolf Gary D.
Published: July 2017

This study evaluated the utility of a binary classification task in assessing the neurotoxic effects of elemental mercury. Twenty-six mercury cell chlor-alkali workers were tested in order to study the dose-response relationship between mercury exposure and the stage-specific measures provided by this reaction-time paradigm. Two of the stages studied, short-term memory scanning and binary decision, were found to be adversely affected by chronic exposure to mercury.
Core Temperature, Heart Rate and Sweatsuits
Authors: Riley Michael W. , Cochran David J. , Armstrong Jon W.
Published: July 2017

Core temperature and heart rate are recorded for three male subjects, while jogging on a treadmill, to determine the influence of sweatsuits. Three trials were run and at each trial the subjects wore gym shorts and T-shirt, cotton sweat clothes, or vinyl sweat clothes. Results indicated the greatest physiological cost was required while exercising in vinyl sweat clothes and there was a significant difference in phsyiological cost due to the apparel worn.
Human Factors Considerations for Implementation of A “Green Board” Concept in an Existing “Red/Green” Power Plant Control Room
Authors: Osborne P. D. , Barsam H. F. , Burgy D. C.
Published: July 2017

Various human factors issues have been raised in recent years concerning the operability of nuclear power plant control rooms. The plethora of status indicator lights which must be monitored effectively has prompted the development of alternative control board design layouts to increase ease of operation. A study was conducted to address the feasibility of implementing the “green board” concept in a nuclear power plant control room which has an existing “red/green” board. The research included a comparison of current control room display and design concepts as well as an identification of the impact that the “green board” modification could have upon various aspects of daily plant operation. Recommendations based on the information gathered during the study specify that existing control rooms should be modified to incorporate the “green board” concept for more effective operation. In addition, a recommendation was made that further research should be conducted to investigate the following parameters: (1) detection time, (2) the effects of stress, training and different approaches to computerizing status indicators on operability; and (3) CRT color-coding compatability during off-normal operation.
An Investigation of Communications Problems in Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Doyle Peter A. , Gaddy Catherine D. , Burgy Donald C. , Topmiller Donald A.
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the results of a study conducted to investigate communications problems in nuclear power plants. Four operating plants were surveyed by a multidisciplinary research team comprised of human factors, operations and engineering personnel. The power plants examined represented a range of reactor types, operating conditions and operating experience. The investigators developed novel data collection techniques for sampling verbal communications in the nuclear power plant control room. Analyses of the data collected indicated that communications systems in the plants sampled were not optimally efficient. Increases in plant staffing beyond initial plant designs, expanded requirements and a lack of integration among the existing systems have contributed to the problems identified. Recommendations are offered for improvements and for further investigations.
The Effects of Increased Ambient Temperature on Dual Task Performance
Authors: Bateman Robert P.
Published: July 2017

This paper reports on the effects of two levels of increased ambient temperature on the performance of a tracking task and a variety of secondary mental tasks.

Significant performance decrements due to increased ambient temperature were observed for the least complex mental tasks. It must be concluded that for the intelligent, highly motivated subjects used in this experiment, simple tasks involving a minimum of mental effort are more sensitive to Effective Temperatures up to 32.2°C (90°F) for exposure times between one and two hours. It appears that complex mental tasks remain unaffected by ambient conditions that produce only minor changes in the physiological state, and may actually show small increases in performance level.

The performance improvement with increasing heat stress for difficult tasks and the corresponding decrement for simple tasks supports a theory that heat stress at the levels used in this study tends to decrease arousal. Based on an inverted-U performance curve, a lower level of arousal would result in the prediction of exactly the results obtained in this study.
Training Device Operational Readiness Assessment Capability (DORAC): The Concept and Its Implementation
Authors: Finley Dorothy L. , Strasel H. C. , Schendel Joel D. , Hawley John K.
Published: July 2017

Army operational forces are required to report once a month on the readiness of their units for combat. The most difficult and subjective of the ratings going into this report is the one concerning personnel readiness. The problem is one of insufficient and outdated data concerning the current skill levels and training deficiencies of unit personnel. DORAC may provide a partial solution to this problem. This paper presents the concept and research issues; describes a cost-benefits method developed to provide training device proponents and developers a means to determine if and how to implement DORAC in the design and utilization of a specific device; describes the results of applying the method to exemplary training device design and usage options; and, presents findings regarding the extent to which one device represents a DORAC.
Measuring the Quality of Drivers’ Night Vision
Authors: Sturgis Samuel P. , Osgood Deborah J.
Published: July 2017

The visual acuity of 30 male and female drivers aged 20-25, 40-45, and 60-65 years was examined under conditions of “high” background luminance, “low” background luminance, and “high” background luminance with added glare. Results illustrate the characteristic decline in visual ability associated with increasing age and decreasing background luminance, and in addition show that strong correlations exist between scores achieved in the various background and glare conditions. Based on the data collected, it is estimated that the proportion of drivers who would fail a 20/40 visual acuity test at a “low” but representative background luminance ranges from less than 10% of the 20-25 year age group to more than 90% of the 60-65 year age group. It is recommended that a testing procedure be made available which would permit drivers to learn the extent of their potential nighttime seeing deficits, especially in the case of professional drivers who may be required to operate at night.
A Qualitative Methodology for Studying Air Force Maintenance
Authors: Campbell Wendy , Chenzoff Andrew P.
Published: July 2017

This paper describes the methodology being used by the Logistics and Technical Training Division of the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory for defining the issues important to maintenance technicians, their supervisors, and their managers. Statements derived from 2700 open-ended interviews are being categorized and stored on computer disc, together with certain demographic data. The statements are then sorted and summarized by topic category. The results of this study will be used to identify maintenance problems and the appropriate means and organizations for solving them. For some problems, the data will suggest alternate solutions which will need to be evaluated experimentally. For other problems, the solutions will come by applying existing technology.
Activity Sampling Applied to Interactive System Design
Authors: Hoecker Douglas G.
Published: July 2017

In the design of interactive systems, it is desirable to obtain both qualitative and quantitative estimates of combined human/system performance as early as possible. Recent methodological extensions to the well-known technique of activity sampling can make simulation a more effective source of both kinds of data. Experience with these enhancements demonstrates that through the use of intensive videotape sessions, computer-naive subject-matter experts can be trained reasonably quickly to reliably exercise highly complex classification schemes that include simultaneous categories with multiple subcategories. In the context of knowledge engineering, this measurement technique, combined with scenario-driven simulations of proposed forms of interaction, can also be employed to spin off a variety of synergistic benefits, such as (a) critical-incident generation, (b) early “hard” estimates of personnel requirements and training costs, (c) explanatory (hypothesis-generating) power of a very application-specific nature, and (d) conversion of user-group resistance into user-group support.
A Scaling Procedure for Environmental Research
Authors: Rohles Frederick H. , Milliken George A.
Published: July 2017

Drawing upon the scaling techniques of Osgood, Suci, and Tannenbaum and the factor analytic methods of Flynn, and Mehrabian and Russell, a scaling procedure is presented that will permit the researcher to evaluate the affective characteristics of the environment and various features it contains. Starting with a large number of adjective-pairs in a semantic-differential format, an analysis of variance is computed from the responses to each adjective-pair, residuals are computed, and a correlation matrix is developed. A factor analysis of the correlation matrix yields the “attributes” being measured and the weights for each adjective-pair. The scale is then re-scored using these weights and the resulting values serve as dependent variables for a conventional analysis of variance. Examples of scales for measuring thermal comfort, environmental spaciousness, efficiency, attractiveness, and overall quality will be presented as well as scales that have been developed for measuring the size, style and comfort of office chairs, the comfort characteristics of protective clothing, and the style and acceptance of mixing valves used in showers. A step-by-step procedure for the statistically unsophisticated individual is presented.
Human Factors Implications of Showering Behavior
Authors: Rohles Frederick H. , Konz Stephan A.
Published: July 2017

Three groups of subjects were selected to determine the amount and temperature of the water used when showering. The control group of 120 subjects (60 men and 60 women) was divided into 4 sub-groups (15 men and 15 women) who, after showering, dressed in rooms whose temperatures were 18.3 C, 21.1 C, 23.9 C, and 26.7 C. The greatest amount of comfort after showering was experienced in the 26.7 C room. This group who did not wash their hair while showering used a mean of 36 L of water for their showers. A second group of subjects (12 men and 12 women), who did wash their hair, used 62 L; this represented an increase in water used by 78%. A third group (12 men and 12 women), who had their showers fitted with a shower head that restricted the flow-rate of water, used 24 L, or 30% less water. However, they set their water temperature at 41.1 C vs 38.9 C setting of the other two groups. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to both water and energy conservation.
A Method of Evaluating The Ergonomic Qualities of Computer Workstations
Authors: Tynan Paul D.
Published: July 2017

This procedure allows a designer to evaluate the overall ergonomic quality of a computer-based workstation represented by full-scale mock-ups. The result of the evaluation is a profile of ergonomic quality along four workstation dimensions and a composite index of overall quality. The profile allows the equipment designer to rank order alternative designs or competitive equipment.
Application of Advanced Speech Technology (AST) in Manned Penetration Bombers
Authors: North R.A. , Mountford S.J.
Published: July 2017

A methodology was developed to identify the most beneficial task candidates for speech technology in an airborne crewstation. The method combined human factors analysis techniques with knowledge of the state-of-the-art in speech technology to produce a tradeoff matrix that ranks each task on pilot utility and technological feasibility. Information retrieval from flight manuals was identified as a “high need” task that could be readily implemented with a speech system in the cockpit.