Human Factors Lessons Research Articles

Human Factors Considerations in Satellite Operations Human-Computer Interaction Technologies: A Review of Current Applications and Theory

Satellite operations are a subset of remote operations that draw similarities with remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) and uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) operations. Increased research into boredom, complacency, habituation, and vigilance as they relate to satellite operations is required due to a lack of prevalence in the literature. Circadian rhythms, crew resource management, and shift work dynamics may exacerbate complacency-driven automation bias and social loafing errors in satellite operations. This overview of theory and applications aims to specifically focus on satellite operations literature within human factors research to identify areas requiring an expansion of knowledge. The human-in-the-loop commonality enables human factors lessons to be passed to satellite operations from unrelated sectors to mitigate catastrophic human error potentially. As such, this literature review details the need for increased research in satellite operations human factors.

Human-factors lessons from a longitudinal, <i>in-vivo</i> study of operations at a low-cost carrier

Human-factors lessons from a longitudinal, <i>in-vivo</i> study of operations at a low-cost carrier

Human-factors lessons from a longitudinal, in-vivo study of operations at a low-cost carrier

Apart from Ginnett's (1990) seminal paper, there are few in-vivo studies of flight operations and of crew resource management (CRM). This paper presents an ethnographic account of 56 intra-European flights and an in-house CRM training course. It was found that: 1) pilot-cabin crew teams functioned effectively; 2) safety-critical flight-deck routines were subject to interruption; 3) pilots and cabin crewmembers provided emotional support to colleagues; 4) pilots who had not operated for a considerable time could be rostered to operate services to challenging airfields. The findings suggested that: 1) joint training of pilots and cabin crew in CRM delivers benefits; 2) benefits would accrue from expanding the CRM training catchment; 3) services to challenging airfields must be crewed by pilots who operate regularly. The observations made by Ginnett 20-years ago still hold. It is recommended that the industry develops a complete understanding of the lived-reality of flight operations.

Common goals, shared risk and a just culture: human factors lessons from the front line.

Common goals, shared risk and a just culture: human factors lessons from the front line.

Heavy Vehicle Automation: Human Factors Lessons Learned

Although passenger car automation has captured the public's attention in recent years, heavy truck automation has also been a major research topic around the world. In the U.S., the California PATH program at U.C. Berkeley has been engaged in heavy vehicle driver assistance and automation research for trucks, buses, and snow removal equipment for over 15 years. Until recently, much of the human factors work in the field has been limited to driving simulations because the state of the technology is only just now reaching the level of maturity required to move beyond pure research. Despite still being in the early stages of gaining practical, real-world experience with automation, lessons have been learned over the past two decades of heavy vehicle automation development. With the many different automation concepts being discussed, there are bound to be differences between passenger car and heavy vehicle automation because the motivations for automation differ between the two industries, resulting in different automation use cases and potentially leading to different design solutions. Similarly, since heavy vehicles tend to be engaged in commercial operations, institutional considerations can influence design, but commercial fleets also provide opportunities for driver training that might not otherwise be possible with the general public. Finally, the special use cases for heavy vehicle automation can challenge conventional design wisdom, and not all designs or conclusions coming from passenger car experience will necessarily apply to heavy vehicles.

Metaphors to Drive By: Exploring New Ways to Guide Human - Robot Interaction

Autonomous behaviors created by the research and development community are not being extensively utilized within energy, defense, security, or industrial contexts. This paper provides evidence that the interaction methods used alongside these behaviors may not provide a mental model that can be easily adopted or used by operators. Although autonomy has the potential to reduce overall workload, the use of robot behaviors often increased the complexity of the underlying interaction metaphor. This paper reports our development of new metaphors that support increased robot com- plexity without passing the complexity of the interaction onto the operator. Furthermore, we illustrate how recognition of problems in human-robot interactions can drive the creation of new metaphors for design and how human factors lessons in usability, human performance, and our social contract with technology have the potential for enormous payoff in terms of establishing effective, user-friendly robot systems when appropriate metaphors are used.

From the operating room of the present to the operating room of the future. Human-factors lessons learned from the minimally invasive surgery revolution.

The minimally invasive surgical revolution has changed the way surgery is practiced. It has also helped surgical innovators to break the tethers that anchored the practice of surgery in an early 20th century operating room environment. To some in surgery, the Operating Room of the Future will be seen as a revolution but to others, an inevitable evolution of the changes ushered in by the adoption of minimally invasive surgery. Although minimally invasive surgery has conferred considerable advantages on the patient, it has imposed significant difficulties on the surgeon, which in turn, have impacted outcomes. These difficulties were primarily human factor in nature and were poorly understood by critical groups such as device manufacturers, surgeons, and surgery educators and trainers. This article details what these human factors were, how they related to the practice of minimally invasive surgery, and how they will impact on the practice of surgery in the Operating Room of the Future. Much of the technology for the Operating Room of the Future currently exists (eg, surgical robotics, virtual reality, and telemedicine). However, for it to function optimally it must be integrated in a fashion that takes on board the human factor strengths and limitations of the surgeon. These advanced technologies should then be harnessed to optimize surgical practice. In some cases, this will involve rethinking existing technologies (ie, three-dimensional camera systems), applying technologies that currently exist in a manner that is more systematic and better managed (ie, surgical robots and virtual reality), and a reconsideration of who should be applying these technologies for the practice of surgery in the 21st century. In all cases, there will be education and training implications for the practitioner. Lastly, there must be unequivocal demonstration that these changes bring about positive benefits for patients in terms of better outcomes and for surgeons in terms of ability and ease of doing their job. After the experiences of the last decade with minimally invasive surgery, the Operating Room of the Future should be seen as a well-grounded evolution, not a revolution.

Human Factors Lessons Learned in Terminal Air Traffic Control System Procurement

The Federal Aviation Administration Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) acquisition program will replace aging terminal radar workstations and computers at 172 US airports. In 1997, human factors issues associated with this commercial off-the-shelf product emerged that spanned STARS tower, terminal, and maintenance components. Many lessons were learned from subsequent intensive human factors efforts to incorporate user requirements into the STARS equipment. This experience resulted from diverse usability assessments and controlled tests as well as the application of rapid prototyping tools. Design changes were defined and prototyped under significant time pressure using an integrated team approach. Due to the breadth and the size of the program, the lessons learned will extend to air traffic control and other system acquisitions and will be of interest to practitioners in terms of specific techniques and issues.

Previous Experience in Manned Space Flight: A Survey of Human Factors Lessons Learned

Three major manned-space programs have been conducted since the mid-1960's: the Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs. Each program has contributed significant new data to the field of human factors and to gaining a greater understanding of how humans operate, function, behave, and adapt to the environment encountered in space. This study summarizes relevant human factors data bearing on the lessons learned from previous manned space flights. Our objective is to gather information available from relevant sources, to develop a taxonomy of human factors data, and to provide a centralized source of data that can be used in the future for those individuals involved in the design of manned-spacecraft operations. Our results have significance for the establishment and design of manned space vehicles. Methods developed in the collection and archival of human factors data during the course of this study also bear directly on questions of ways in which to systematically compile and characterize human factors data in other areas of research.