Transferring Human Factors Knowledge from Aviation to Development of a Warning System for Landslide

There is a successful history of transferring knowledge from aviation to other domains such as medicine (Thomas & Helmreich, 2002). In this study the ICAO multistage alerting service (2008) served as model for the specification of an early warning system for landslide. The early warning system is designed to monitor mass-movement data provided by GPS sensors, and to generate warnings and alarms to the National Alarm- and Warning Center of Styria, Austria. For the human factors specification of the new system a qualitative analysis was performed. Results are discussed with regard to applicability of human factors guidelines from aviation to development of systems for regional alarming centers which initiate and supervise disaster management activities

Transferring Human Factors Knowledge from Aviation to Development of a Warning System for Landslide

There is a successful history of transferring knowledge from aviation to other domains such as medicine (Thomas & Helmreich, 2002). In this study the ICAO multistage alerting service (2008) served as model for the specification of an early warning system for landslide. The early warning system is designed to monitor mass-movement data provided by GPS sensors, and to generate warnings and alarms to the National Alarm- and Warning Center of Styria, Austria. For the human factors specification of the new system a qualitative analysis was performed. Results are discussed with regard to applicability of human factors guidelines from aviation to development of systems for regional alarming centers which initiate and supervise disaster management activities

Towards a More Socially Sustainable Advanced Pilot Training by IntegratingWearable Augmented Reality Devices

For flying all types of turbine-engine airplanes, a pilot must undergo an intense type rating (TR) course. This study investigated the learning conditions and TR course content, and specifies the most difficult course elements that could be tackled by augmented reality (AR) applications. Because women are underrepresented in the worldwide pilot population, it is important to address gender-specific preferences and needs in the development of AR-based wearable technologies for advanced pilot training. A gender-sensitive survey of the learning conditions and course contents was conducted with 31 pilots and 22 instructors. Despite many similarities, the results confirm that there are gender-specific needs and preferences for the development of future AR-based applications for TR training. In addition, the views of both pilots’ and instructors’ are required to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the learning contents and conditions related to TR. The results also show that time pressure increased the perceived difficulty of the course for some trainees. These results are important because they indicate the directions to be taken in developing future AR-based training applications for a more learner-centered and inclusive TR training. Future directions to foster a socially sustainable development of AR-based training means for TR with special focus on gender diversity are presented

Novel Mixed Reality Use Cases for Pilot Training

This study explored novel mixed reality (MR) use cases for pilot training using a mix of methods rooted in the general innovation theory of dynamic capabilities. The aim was to identify areas of improvement for various aspects of the flight training based on MR, in a socially and economically sustainable manner. Multiple surveys and workshops have been conducted with flight instructors, administrative staff, pilots and student pilots. The main result of this study is a systematic identification of the three most promising MR use cases: interactive theory training, cockpit procedure, and outside check training. These results are important because they inform the development of technical didactic tools for pilot training. The applicability of MR technologies to accommodate diverse user needs and preferences is addressed, while also considering aspects of economical sustainability

Multidimensional Evaluation of Pilot`S Threat and Error Management Performance During Complex Flight Maneuvers

The present research attempts a multidimensional threat and error management performance analysis of pilots flying according to visual flight rules, during the recovery from four unusual aircraft states: extreme pitch, overbanked attitude, full stall and spin. An anticipative training program was developed based on flight mechanical and psychophysiological analysis of an expert’s performance. Training took place in a flight simulator and was preceded and followed by check flights with an aerobatic aircraft, a Pitts S-2B, supervised by an expert aerobatic flight instructor. In a between-groups design, a multidimensional assessment was applied, comprising psychophysiological measures of arousal, emotion, subjective, workload and anticipative comparison processes as complementary to technical performance criteria. Our results evidenced benefits of combined theoretical and practical anticipative flight instruction for the threat and error management in complex flight maneuvers

Effects of Automation and Fatigue on Drivers from Various Age Groups

This study explores how drivers are affected by automation when driving in rested and fatigued conditions. Eighty-nine drivers (45 females, 44 males) aged between 20 and 85 years attended driving experiments on separate days, once in a rested and once in a fatigued condition, in a counterbalanced order. The results show an overall effect of automation to significantly reduce drivers’ workload and effort. The automation had different effects, depending on the drivers’ conditions. Differences between the manual and automated mode were larger for the perceived time pressure and effort in the fatigued condition as compared to the rested condition. Frustration was higher during manual driving when fatigued, but also higher during automated driving when rested. Subjective fatigue and the percentage of eye closure (PERCLOS) were higher in the automated mode compared to manual driving mode. PERCLOS differences between the automated and manual mode were higher in the fatigued condition than in the rested condition. There was a significant interaction effect of age and automation on drivers’ PERCLOS. These results are important for the development of driver-centered automation because they show different benefits for drivers of different ages, depending on their condition (fatigued or rested)

Effects of Automation and Fatigue on Drivers from Various Age Groups

This study explores how drivers are affected by automation when driving in rested and fatigued conditions. Eighty-nine drivers (45 females, 44 males) aged between 20 and 85 years attended driving experiments on separate days, once in a rested and once in a fatigued condition, in a counterbalanced order. The results show an overall effect of automation to significantly reduce drivers’ workload and effort. The automation had different effects, depending on the drivers’ conditions. Differences between the manual and automated mode were larger for the perceived time pressure and effort in the fatigued condition as compared to the rested condition. Frustration was higher during manual driving when fatigued, but also higher during automated driving when rested. Subjective fatigue and the percentage of eye closure (PERCLOS) were higher in the automated mode compared to manual driving mode. PERCLOS differences between the automated and manual mode were higher in the fatigued condition than in the rested condition. There was a significant interaction effect of age and automation on drivers’ PERCLOS. These results are important for the development of driver-centered automation because they show different benefits for drivers of different ages, depending on their condition (fatigued or rested)

Drivers’ Interaction with Adaptive Cruise Control on Dry and Snowy Roads with Various Tire-Road Grip Potentials

This study investigates drivers’ interaction with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) in different road conditions and identifies areas of improvement. Ninety-six drivers drove with the ACC in a driving simulator showing either a summer scenery and a dry road with high grip potential or a winter scenery with a snowy road and reduced grip potential. The results show that on snowy roads the drivers set in average a lower ACC speed and preferred a larger ACC time gap. Drivers’ workload and effort were higher when using the ACC on snowy as compared to dry roads. Generally, the use of a shorter ACC gap resulted in lower ratings of comfort, safety, and trust and higher ratings of mental workload and effort in both dry and snowy road conditions. The drivers judged that ACC was braking too late and maintained a too short gap to the forward vehicle, especially when the ACC was set to 1 second as compared to a 1.8-second time gap. A future adaptation of ACC’s control strategy to reduced tire-road grip potential would not only improve comfort and user acceptance of the human driver but also increase the potential to react in emergency situations with braking or evasive steering