9,750 research outputs found

    In loco intellegentia: Human factors for the future European train driver

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    The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) represents a step change in technology for rail operations in Europe. It comprises track-to-train communications and intelligent on-board systems providing an unprecedented degree of support to the train driver. ERTMS is designed to improve safety, capacity and performance, as well as facilitating interoperability across the European rail network. In many ways, particularly from the human factors perspective, ERTMS has parallels with automation concepts in the aviation and automotive industries. Lessons learned from both these industries are that such a technology raises a number of human factors issues associated with train driving and operations. The interaction amongst intelligent agents throughout the system must be effectively coordinated to ensure that the strategic benefits of ERTMS are realised. This paper discusses the psychology behind some of these key issues, such as Mental Workload (MWL), interface design, user information requirements, transitions and migration and communications. Relevant experience in aviation and vehicle automation is drawn upon to give an overview of the human factors challenges facing the UK rail industry in implementing ERTMS technology. By anticipating and defining these challenges before the technology is implemented, it is hoped that a proactive and structured programme of research can be planned to meet them

    Designing an Adaptive Web Navigation Interface for Users with Variable Pointing Performance

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    Many online services and products require users to point and interact with user interface elements. For individuals who experience variable pointing ability due to physical impairments, environmental issues or age, using an input device (e.g., a computer mouse) to select elements on a website can be difficult. Adaptive user interfaces dynamically change their functionality in response to user behavior. They can support individuals with variable pointing abilities by 1) adapting dynamically to make element selection easier when a user is experiencing pointing difficulties, and 2) informing users about these pointing errors. While adaptive interfaces are increasingly prevalent on the Web, little is known about the preferences and expectations of users with variable pointing abilities and how to design systems that dynamically support them given these preferences. We conducted an investigation with 27 individuals who intermittently experience pointing problems to inform the design of an adaptive interface for web navigation. We used a functional high-fidelity prototype as a probe to gather information about user preferences and expectations. Our participants expected the system to recognize and integrate their preferences for how pointing tasks were carried out, preferred to receive information about system functionality and wanted to be in control of the interaction. We used findings from the study to inform the design of an adaptive Web navigation interface, PINATA that tracks user pointing performance over time and provides dynamic notifications and assistance tailored to their specifications. Our work contributes to a better understanding of users' preferences and expectations of the design of an adaptive pointing system

    Development of a generic activities model of command and control

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    This paper reports on five different models of command and control. Four different models are reviewed: a process model, a contextual control model, a decision ladder model and a functional model. Further to this, command and control activities are analysed in three distinct domains: armed forces, emergency services and civilian services. From this analysis, taxonomies of command and control activities are developed that give rise to an activities model of command and control. This model will be used to guide further research into technological support of command and control activities

    Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control: Critical Human Factors Issues and Research Questions

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    As traffic volume and delay on highways increase each year, new solutions are required to meet travel demand and ease congestion. One possible solution, Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control, permits vehicles and infrastructure to communicate, providing the capability to maintain safety while increasing travel lane capacity. The technical capabilities have been demonstrated, but as important to ensuring successful implementation is an understanding of the potential human factors-related issues. Use of automation in the driving environment can have numerous pitfalls, which are heavily influenced by a variety of both deliberate and reflexive human judgments and decisions known to be error-prone. This paper examines these potential issues and identifies research areas and questions that may guide future research to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and acceptance of this new technology

    Bar-Code Technology and Nursing Adaptations

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    Background: Medication administration errors (MAEs) have long been a prevalent problem and endanger patient safety. Bar-code medication administration (BCMA) systems were developed for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of MAEs. However, it has been demonstrated that the implementation of BCMA has brought about unanticipated consequences on nursing work and new, potential predictable paths to MAEs. More recently, investigators have introduced a new approach to describe the impact of BCMA on nursing work, which reflects nurses’ adaptations to the operational problems of BCMA under difficult circumstances. A more complete understanding of the process of nurses’ adaptations to technology will better inform intervention program for performance and safety improvement. Specific Aims: The specific aims of this study were to: 1) conduct an integrative literature review about operational problems of BCMA, 2) validate a typology of operational problems of BCMA yielded in the literature review, and 3) assess nurses’ adaptations to BCMA operational problems and describe their perceptions about the adaptations. Conceptual Framework: The conceptual framework guided this study was an integration of the work system from the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model and the frames perspective. When there is a collision between the frames (system frame and practice frame), the operational problems occur, and then nurses make adaptations to the operational problems. In this study, it is considered that the “system frame” is functionalized as the “work system”, which is the core of the SEIPS model. Methods: A prospective, exploratory design was conducted to meet the study aims. This descriptive study included two convenience samples of registered nurses working on identified medical and surgical adult acute care units. An observation of BCMA use and a semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant of one group of sample (N=22) to collect data about the operational problems of BCMA. Another group of sample (N=21) conducted scenario interviews and follow-up interviews to describe their adaptations to the operational problems of BCMA. Results: This study found that 1) the triggers of operational problems of BCMA can be categorized according to the elements of the work system of the SEIPS model, which are technology and tools, tasks, person, environment, and organization; 2) the five elements of the SEIPS work system were validated for use as a typology of the triggers of operational problems of BCMA; 3) nurses conducted different adaptations with various strategies to accommodate to the operational problems of medication administration using BCMA; and 4) the perceptions of nurses about the adaptations to the operational problems of BCMA can be addressed by the sequential steps, implying nurses think in a logic and objective way during adaptations. Conclusions: This study provides a new way to approach the impact of BCMA on nursing work – adaptations. This is one of the first studies that attempts to understand nurses’ adaptations to the operational problems of BCMA, and also one of the first studies that investigates nurses’ perceptions about adaptations. Future research should more rigorously study nurses’ adaptive behaviors to operational problems.PHDNursingUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146043/1/liujia_1.pd

    Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 297)

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    This bibliography lists 89 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in April, 1987

    Smart driving aids and their effects on driving performance and driver distraction

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    In-vehicle information systems have been shown to increase driver workload and cause distraction; both of which are causal factors for accidents. This simulator study evaluates the impact that two designs for a smart driving aid, and scenario complexity have on workload, distraction and driving performance. Results showed that real-time delivery of smart driving information did not increase driver workload or adversely effect driver distraction, while having the effect of decreasing mean driving speed in both the simple and complex driving scenarios. Subjective workload was shown to increase with task difficulty, as well as revealing important differences between the two interface designs
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