Perceptual Grouping Effects on Cursor Movement Expectations

Objective: Two studies were conducted to develop an understanding of factors that drive user expectations when navigating between discrete elements on a display via a limited degree-of-freedom cursor control device. Background: For the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle spacecraft, a free-floating cursor with a graphical user interface (GUI) would require an unachievable level of accuracy due to expected acceleration and vibration conditions during dynamic phases of flight. Therefore, Orion program proposed using a caged cursor to jump from one controllable element (node) on the GUI to another. However, nodes are not likely to be arranged on a rectilinear grid, and so movements between nodes are not obvious. Method: Proximity between nodes, direction of nodes relative to each other, and context features may all contribute to user cursor movement expectations. In an initial study, we examined user expectations based on the nodes themselves. In a second study, we examined the effect of context features on user expectations. Results: The studies established that perceptual grouping effects influence expectations to varying degrees. Based on these results, a simple rule set was developed to support users in building a straightforward mental model that closely matches their natural expectations for cursor movement. Conclusion: The results will help designers of display formats take advantage of the natural context- driven cursor movement expectations of users to reduce navigation errors, increase usability, and decrease access time. Application: The rules set and guidelines tie theory to practice and can be applied in environments where vibration or acceleration are significant, including spacecraft, aircraft, and automobiles

Flight Deck Interval Management Display

The User Guide details the Access Database provided with the Flight Deck Interval Management (FIM) Display Elements, Information, & Annunciations program. The goal of this User Guide is to support ease of use and the ability to quickly retrieve and select items of interest from the Database. The Database includes FIM Concepts identified in a literature review preceding the publication of this document. Only items that are directly related to FIM (e.g., spacing indicators), which change or enable FIM (e.g., menu with control buttons), or which are affected by FIM (e.g., altitude reading) are included in the database. The guide has been expanded from previous versions to cover database structure, content, and search features with voiced explanations

Trajectory Based Operations and the Legacy Flight Deck: Envisioning Design Enhancements for the Flight Crew

DTFAWA-10-A-80031This study addresses the gap in scientific information at the intersection of Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO), realistic flight deck \u2013 pilot tasking environments, and human performance assessment. The study explored pilot performance, pain points, and system improvements in a human-in-the-loop heuristic evaluation of prototype displays for selected Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) TBO scenarios. Legacy flight deck systems represent the baseline for innovation of TBO concepts. Because \u201cclean sheet\u201d design of both the NAS and the flight deck is seldom possible, designing human-centered \u201cNowGen\u201d interventions for existing systems is a prudent way to evolve toward NextGen. Study Approach: Three legacy and current generation interfaces were adapted using human-centered design heuristics to support Four-dimensional (4D) RTA-TBO, including a Multifunction Control Display Unit (MCDU), an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), and an integrated Graphical Flight Planning (GFP) system. Seven airline, corporate, and technical pilots evaluated the interfaces in scenarios using different flight phases, weather, and NAS/Air Traffic Control (ATC) conditions. We obtained feedback from pilots on how well the prototyped interfaces supported pilot decision making, how easy they were to learn, their effect on self-reported workload, and the way in which the information was presented. Results: Evaluation participants responded favorably to the MCDU and integrated GFP RTA-prototypes, while the EFB prototype received less favorable feedback. However, the data collected in this study must be considered preliminary, until we have completed more rigorous human factors evaluation and objective pilot performance measurements. The report concludes with our recommendations for further work to develop and refine recommendations for TBO flight deck design requirements and guidance, including refinement and evaluation of EFB design that could support legacy aircraft participation in TBO

Labor Pains: A Computer Science Response to the Information Asymmetry in the Physician Job Market

Physicians face many challenges in their work environments that lead to dire mental health outcomes. Previous research focuses on how to improve physician work environments and practices to increase physician quality of life while they are on the job. This paper focuses on how physicians find their jobs and proposes an online platform that caters to their needs by providing a job board, a career-oriented social network, and a recommendation system. The goal of this platform is to reduce the information asymmetry in the physician labor market so that physicians can make an informed decision on where to work. If physicians can be optimally matched to their employers, then they can reduce their work-related stress and increase their quality of life. Optimally placed physicians will be ready to meet the increasing challenges to the healthcare system

Integration of weather information into the dispatcher pre-flight route selection process

This paper describes a field study of the procedures and weather information sources used by a major airline's dispatchers in the pre-flight route selection process in the presence of significant weather. Additionally, this paper will describe how the AWIN decision-support tool, an aide for selecting optimal four-dimensional routes that avoid weather hazards, could be incorporated into the flight dispatch process to produce safer, more fuel-efficient routes that avoid hazardous weather. The challenges lie in effectively integrating route and weather information in the same application to facilitate decision-making, and to standardize the definitions of what weather is to be avoided and the thresholds of severity across an airline's dispatchers. The current work processes of a major airline's dispatchers were studied via a combination of observational field studies, interviews, written questionnaires, and surveys. With such a system in place, airlines can expect gains in safety, in fuel efficiency of planned routes, and in time efficiency in the preflight dispatch process

Perceptual Grouping Effects on Cursor Movement Expectations

Objective: Two studies were conducted to develop an understanding of factors that drive user expectations when navigating between discrete elements on a display via a limited degree-of-freedom cursor control device. Background: For the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle spacecraft, a free-floating cursor with a graphical user interface (GUI) would require an unachievable level of accuracy due to expected acceleration and vibration conditions during dynamic phases of flight. Therefore, Orion program proposed using a "caged" cursor to "jump" from one controllable element (node) on the GUI to another. However, nodes are not likely to be arranged on a rectilinear grid, and so movements between nodes are not obvious. Method: Proximity between nodes, direction of nodes relative to each other, and context features may all contribute to user cursor movement expectations. In an initial study, we examined user expectations based on the nodes themselves. In a second study, we examined the effect of context features on user expectations. Results: The studies established that perceptual grouping effects influence expectations to varying degrees. Based on these results, a simple rule set was developed to support users in building a straightforward mental model that closely matches their natural expectations for cursor movement. Conclusion: The results will help designers of display formats take advantage of the natural context- driven cursor movement expectations of users to reduce navigation errors, increase usability, and decrease access time. Application: The rules set and guidelines tie theory to practice and can be applied in environments where vibration or acceleration are significant, including spacecraft, aircraft, and automobiles.This is a manuscript of an article from Human Factors 56 (2014): doi: 10.1177/0018720813500692. Posted with permission.</p

Evaluation of a dispatcher’s route optimization decision aid to avoid aviation weather hazards

Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated to the advancement of aeronautics and space science. The NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program Office plays a key part in helping NASA maintain this important role. The NASA STI Program Office is operated by Langley Research Center, the lead center for NASA’s scientific and technical information. The NASA STI Program Office provides access to the NASA STI Database, the largest collection of aeronautical and space science STI in the world. The Program Office is also NASA’s institutional mechanism for disseminating the results of its research and development activities. These results are published b