Human Factors Criteria Research Articles

Palette designer: A color-code design tool

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has developed a standard set of colors for coding information on air traffic control (ATC) displays. A significant complication was that the air traffic controller population includes people who have color-vision deficiencies (CVDs). We wrote a software tool to assist the FAA in selecting a preliminary color set. It accepts a set of luminances and chromaticity coordinates as input and: (1) Draws graphics and calculates color-related figures of merit to predict whether the set will be acceptable for color-normal and CVD users; (2) Flags colors and pairings that violate human factors criteria; and (3) Allows designers to adjust the colors and see the resulting changes immediately. The tool has been used to perform a pilot study for the FAA’s color-set development project and should be useful for designing other color-coding sets, also.

Requirements engineering of Malaysian radiological medical emergency response simulator

ABSTRACTThe development of the Malaysian radiological medical emergency response simulator emphasized human factors according to the stakeholder's tacit and explicit knowledge. These human factors criteria were usability tested and analysed according to the socio-technical components. These analyses and interpretations were corroborated by the statistical criteria which emphasized on business process-based requirements modelling and simulation system development tools. Recent findings suggested that there were no differences of risk perceptions among these multi-agency stakeholders in the respective emergency planning framework and simulator. However, the stakeholders had differences in knowledge and experiences in the radiological and nuclear emergency planning framework (RANEPF). This paper analyses the proposed conceptual framework for further enhancement of the current RANEPF simulator. This development was in concurrence with the proposed hypothesis of the process factors and response diagram. The majority (75%) of the stakeholders and experts, who had been interviewed, witnessed and accepted that the simulator would be effective to resolve various types of disaster and resource management issues. We suggest further investigation to establish the additional functionality of the simulator as a strategist, condensed, concise, comprehensive public disaster preparedness and intervention guidelines to be a useful and efficient computer simulation.

Towards Innovation and Development in Ergonomic Design: Insights from a Literature Review

Abstract The paper examines the characteristics of changes that are intentionally introduced by humans into their living environment. It shows that technical and organizational changes without taking into account human factors criteria - and thus also ergonomic criteria - are the source of many losses. Moreover, the paper contains a discussion of the sequence of actions that lead to relevant changes in the existing reality. It also illustrates innovative engineering applications in the field of ergonomics, known as ergonomic engineering and more extensively – “ergologic” engineering. The importance of heuristic techniques in supporting creative thinking, indispensable in ergonomic design is shown. A discussion of economic development, which is determined by actions of an innovative character, is also presented.

Kanji Retrieval by Recursive Location of Elements Using HyperCard

There are a number of Japanese-English computer dictionaries. However, they do not provide the Japanese language student with an adequate means of retrieving kanji (Chinese characters). The study here outlines the implementation and evaluation of a computer-based kanji finder. The electronic kanji finder was implemented on a Macintosh using HyperCard, with regard to student needs, based on sound pedagogical and human factor principles. An evaluation of the implementation based on a comparison of the retrieval methods of a traditional dictionary was made, giving students access to both the computer-based dictionary and Nelson's paper kanji dictionary. The two retrieval methods were compared based on human factors criteria. The results of the comparison show that the electronic dictionary has several features which are better than the traditional paper dictionary. The findings go against previous research which show that electronic fact retrieval is worse than traditional retrieval using reference books (B. Shneiderman, 1987). The conclusion discusses some of the implications of the results for students of Japanese.

A Roundtable Discussion … Increased Focus on Human Factors Drives Device Safety Improvements

<i>A Roundtable Discussion</i> … Increased Focus on Human Factors Drives Device Safety Improvements

Visual Load Induced by in Car Office Applications

With the integration of more features, driver-information-systems (DIS) in automobiles are getting more and more complex. The additional integration of online functionality turn DIS into CarPCs. Here the possibilities of the computer-world meet the restrictions of the vehicle-world. The interaction with the systems distracts capacities from driving. Due to inappropriate human machine interface design the visual channel is overloaded while using DIS or CarPCs. A usability study was conducted. The data shows, that the presentation of visual information is critical. A CarPC was developed. The human machine interface was designed under human factors criteria. The use of the system will lead to a reduced visual load of the driver. Further work has to be done.

Ergonomic criteria in large-scale engineering design—I Management by documentation only? Formal organization vs. designers’ perceptions

In engineering design projects ergonomics criteria may be supplied to project members along with other design requirements. A formal organization for human factors (HF) is set up where responsibilities pertaining to HF are specified. It is then assumed that the project functions according to this, and that the ergonomics criteria are known among project members. We have investigated the management of human factors in two large-scale offshore development projects. Our study shows that neither organization of HF nor ergonomics criteria were well known among project members. To be effective, the criteria have to be supported by one or more HF specialists who engage themselves actively in design.

Human factors contributions to the acceptance of computer-supported systems

Abstract MoD equipment procurement projects within the naval sector are required to carry out Human factors Integration Programmes (HFIPs) as part of their procurement activities. These cover the subject areas of manpower and personnel, human engineering, training, environmental ergonomics, habitability, and health and safety. The project management team write the design policy papers for the programme of work, and state the standards that will apply. The design policy states priorities for any particular design area, in line with RN requirements and policy for the total system. It will also state the approach to acceptance. This paper describes an initial framework for describing the human factors acceptance tests and criteria in the case of computer-supported systems. The relationship between system requirements, standards, and acceptance criteria is discussed. The importance of requirements, and their associated design drivers, is considered with respect to its implications for the construction of acce...

Verification and Validation of Complex Systems: Human Factors Issues

The issue of verifying and validating complex systems based on human factors criteria is becoming widely recognized. The need has become particularity significant with the development on the highly automated systems currently being developed for the new air traffic control systems around the world. This panel discusses several issues that have evolved from an international working meeting on the topic.

Automated Machines Designed to Interface with the Extremely Resistant Population

Automated machines facing the general public's daily life (i.e., ATMs) have become common elements of environments. Even with the continued growth, some institutions still find it difficult to get more than half of their customers to use the machine regularly. This paper presents an optimized interface for an automated teller machine designed to attract even the extremely resistant user. To accomplish this task, information was gathered from non ATM users in addition to the regular customers of such machines. Several existing machines were critiqued based on the needs of non ATM users in addition to the generally accepted human factors criteria. Design solutions were generated for all desirable elements, such as input and output devices characteristics, aesthetics, etc. Designed were tested using the method of pair-comparison, the chosen ATM design is believed to enhance ease of use, accessibility, and overall productivity of such units for virtually the entire spectrum of ATM users.

Developing human factors criteria for : Perspectives. Proc Human Factors Soc, 33rd Ann Meeting, Denver, Colorado, 16–20 Oct 1989. Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, Cal, Vol 2, 1989, pp 1114–1118, 48 refs a new reactor plant

Developing human factors criteria for : Perspectives. Proc Human Factors Soc, 33rd Ann Meeting, Denver, Colorado, 16–20 Oct 1989. Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, Cal, Vol 2, 1989, pp 1114–1118, 48 refs a new reactor plant

Impact of Age-Related Play and Injury Patterns on Human Factors Criteria for Playground Equipment Safety

About one-third of all public playground equipment injuries are sustained by children under 6 years of age. Injury data indicate that children in this age group are at particular risk of injuries to the head and face. A recent detailed analysis of playground equipment design issues (Ratté, Morrison, Lerner, Denham, and Johnson, 1990) formed the basis for an update and expansion of the Handbook for Public Playground Safety, published in 1980 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. An important focus of this work was to develop recommendations that take into account the critical differences between preschool-age and school-age children with respect to the following factors: physical capabilities; anthropometric measures; play patterns; cognitive skills; and injury patterns and common injury scenarios associated with specific types of equipment. This paper illustrates how these factors were applied to the analysis of swing-related safety problems, and describes some of the difficulties involved in developing human factors criteria for playground equipment safety. Although specific design recommendations addressed the safety of each type of equipment, other issues were also of critical importance in evaluating each product's potential for injury, including use and fall zones around equipment, spatial relationships with other equipment and activities on the playground, separation of children of different ages, and adult supervision. These considerations sometimes represented conflicting safety concerns.

An assessment of industrial designers' use of human factors criteria in product design evaluation : Abedini, K. In: Riding the wave of innovation. Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting, Anaheim, California, 24–28 Oct, 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 420–424, 9 refs.

An assessment of industrial designers' use of human factors criteria in product design evaluation : Abedini, K. In: Riding the wave of innovation. Proc Human Factors Soc 32nd Ann Meeting, Anaheim, California, 24–28 Oct, 1988. The Human Factors Soc, Santa Monica, California, Vol 1, 1988, pp 420–424, 9 refs.

Organizing human factors knowledge for the evaluation and design of interfaces

This paper presents research conducted in the area of human factors knowledge collection and organization. Providing that a large amountof human factors engineering data is available now concerning user interface aspects, this research started from the following question: Can this knowledge be transferred to user interface designers, and by which means can this be done? An important part of human factors knowledge is included in recommendations and guidelines. It is the problems with that type of knowledge that this paper focuses on. A first attempt to tackle some of these problems is made by offering a generic model for deciphering recommendations into rules. This model stresses the importance of attributes such as human factors criteria, classes of premises, and conclusions, as well as interface objects. Definitions of criteria for organizing recommendations are offered, and a few examples of rule‐based reasoning are provided. The remaining problems with a rule approach are then discussed according to t...

Developing Human Factors Criteria for a New Reactor Plant

Since the accident at Three-mile Island, many efforts have been initiated to provide human factors guidance and standards in the power industry. These guidelines and critieria along with military standards and specifications and general guidelines and criteria now exist in a multitude of documents that have been developed over a twenty year time frame. This paper describes efforts to consolidate this guidance into a single design criteria for the development of new reactor plants and to identify “gaps” in human factors standards relating to nuclear reactor design.

An Assessment of Industrial Designers Use of Human Factors Criteria in Product Design Evaluation

In order to know the pattern of actual application of human factors criteria by industrial designers an experiment was conducted by asking 87 students of industrial design to evaluate a CAD workstation after completing a course in “human factors in design”. The guidelines chosen for the evaluation were those related to design of visual displays, controls and workstation layout on the CAD system. Since the main objective was to see how many of the principles had become part of their “common sense” they were asked to evaluate the equipment without any reference to any books/notes. The subject's responses were compared with the human factors guidelines using a Chi-square test (0.05 significance). The results pointed out that industrial designers readily accepted general criteria such as visibility, operability, and accessibility but interpretability of the display was frequently unrecognized. Such information could be used by industrial designers and human factors experts to improve their cooperation in the design process and thus increase the acceptance and marketability of the product.

A Computerized Evaluation System for Automotive Controls and Displays

A two-part procedure has been developed at Ford Motor Company to assist the human factors practitioner in a systematic evaluation of automotive controls and displays. The first part is a data-gathering procedure using an automated branching human factors checklist. The second part is a scoring procedure which assesses characteristics of the control or display based on human factors criteria. The contents of both parts can be easily modified to accommodate enhancements. The procedure also has value as a training and educational tool.

Exercise and sports equipment: Some ergonomics aspects

Sports equipment encompasses a gamut of devices used in laboratory, training and competitive contexts and these form the content of this paper. Ergometers range in sophistication from friction braked stationary bicycles to computer controlled simulators which incorporate exercise modes specific to the athletic user. These are now used in training, as experimental devices and in some instances for competition purposes. Training equipment exhibits a similar emphasis on exercise specificity, safety being an important aspect of its use. Design of projectiles for sporting activities has mainly reflected their traditional modes of use, the introduction of synthetic materials having some ergonomics implications. Similarly, materials science and design technology have contributed innovations in equipment for racquet sports and hitting implements. The changes have tended to be associated with availability of new materials for product construction and have implications for safety and skill in the transition to using the new products. Ski equipment design illustrates ergonomics factors in interfacing the performer with the sporting environment and how equipment has progressed by regenerative design processes. Enhancement of performance in some sports must be accompanied by an awareness of safety requirements: where appropriate, risks to participants should be reduced by use of protective clothing and equipment. Enforced validation of protective equipment is recommended to raise safety levels in certain sports and the safety of spectators must not be neglected. Human factors criteria can then be applied in monitoring, officiating and spectating at sporting events.

Heating Pads: Human Factors Traps for Designers and Users

Every year substantial amounts of property damage and numerous personal injuries result from failures of electric heating pads. This is a paradoxical situation considering that the intended product-function relates to the simple, safe, and reliable therapeutic application of heat to the human body. An investigation was conducted to determine whether traditional engineering criteria and human factors criteria were in conflict in the design of heating pads. The investigation revealed that the designers of heating pads have a tendency to overcome problems in hardware reliability by specifying how humans should behave relative to their product. Even heating pads that are Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed contain user instructions which are unlikely to be followed under circumstances of normal use. The paper summarizes the functional design of heating pads, current instructions for their use, and applicable human factors considerations. An alternate approach to heating pad design is proposed which, if implemented, should prevent us from trading-in our heating pads for hot-water bottles. Beyond that, however, the paper serves as an example of how the application of human factors engineering principles can serve the goals of product safety and liability prevention.

Human Factors in Early Ship System Design

In order to most effectively integrate human factors criteria and concepts into ship systems design, it is essential that human factors applications begin at the beginning of the system. If human factors is not applied until the preliminary or detail design phases, the role of human factors is reduced to that of a support function rather than as an influence to the design. Getting human factors considerations included in the pre-milestone 0 feasibility and study phase will ensure that human factors will influence the system design. This paper will address the process for applying human factors in pre-milestone 0. One of the major activities to be accomplished within this process is the development of a human factors data base for baseline reference systems. These include systems already in the fleet for which the new system will serve as a replacement or an improvement. The data base will include data for three specific purposes: 1) determination of lessons learned - human factors problems and implemented concepts; 2) identification of human factors thresholds and operability gaps below these thresholds for existing systems; and 3) determination of the benefits of applying human factors in the new system as compared with the baseline system. The pre-milestone 0 process will also address determination of the role of man in systems operation and maintenance, the extent of automation, the role of man in automated operations, general human factors design directions, and requirements for feasibility studies of manual versus automated control, manning levels, supportability requirements, training concepts, and habitability requirements. A major human factors effort in the pre-milestone 0 process is the planning of the first human factors program review, which occurs at Milestone 0. Evaluation criteria and methods for this review will be described and discussed. The results of implementing the pre-milestone 0 process in the development of ship systems will also be discussed.