The plan of the thesis is as follows: The introductory chapters
review the literature pertaining to human prediction and predictive
control models (Chapter 1), and to engineering aspects of predictive
displays (Chapter 2). Chapter 3 describes a fundamental study of predictive
display parameters in a laboratory scheduling task, Chapter 4
attempts to verify these findings using test data from an actual job shop
scheduling problem. Chapter 5 branches into the area of continuous
control with a pilot study of predictive displays in a laboratory
simulated continuous stirred-tank chemical reactor. Chapter 6 uses the
experience gained in the pilot study as the basis for a comprehensive study
of predictive display parameters in a further laboratory study of a
simplified dual-meter monitoring and control task, and Chapter 7 attempts
to test the optimal design in a part-simulated semi-batch chemical reactor
using real plant and experienced operators in an industrial setting. The
results of the experimental programme are summarized for convenience in
Chapter 8. Chapter 9 draws together the threads from the various experiments
and discusses the findings in terms of a general hierarchical model
of an operator's control and monitoring behaviour. Finally, Chapter 10
presents conclusions and recommendations from the programme of research,
together with suggestions for further work
