Emerging Needs and Opportunities for Human Factors Research (1995) / Chapter Skim
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9 Transportation
9 Transportation
Pages 241-261
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From page 241... ...
Levels of analysis range from the individual to the group to the organization to the culture; many research questions cut across disciplinary boundaries and demand a multidisciplinary approach. Rather than document the full array of transportation research questions, we will focus on opportunities for behavioral research in two areas representative of the broad scope of human factors: vehicular traffic safety and aviation safety.
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From page 242... ...
Many of the research issues raised here are not limited to vehicular and air domains, but apply in whole or part to other domains of transportation, including maritime and rail operations and space flight. VEHICULAR TRAFFIC SAFETY In dealing with traffic safety, the human factors community has the opportunity to contribute to the solution of a major public health problem.
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From page 243... ...
It is doubtful that useful general theories will follow from a focus on specific regulatory questions or from basic research on isolated or narrowly defined aspects of human performance. Rather, progress in understanding driving behavior will require coordination and integration of work at multiple levels of analysis, ranging from assessment of individual performance through specification of broad behavioral and informational requirements of the driving task to social aspects of communication among motorists in a changing traffic environment.
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From page 244... ...
, but this would entail considerable additional expense. Current computational technology is proceeding at a dazzling pace and it is not unreasonable to entertain the possibility of having driving simulators with realistic interactive displays and at a reasonable cost in the notdistant future.
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From page 245... ...
The basis for this low predictive power is probably related to the discrepancy between visual demands encountered during testing and those encountered while driving. Visual acuity tests evaluate only the threshold of resolution for high-contrast optotypes, that is, the ability to read fine print in bright illumination.
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From page 246... ...
Other visual abilities that might be considered include distance perception, ability to judge closing rates, glare sensitivity, velocity perception, and the ability to handle divided attention. The low predictive power of present procedures is a cogent argument for utilizing the wealth of information already available about vision and vision tests to develop new and better procedures.
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From page 247... ...
To what extent or in what mode is the UFOV test related to specific components of the driving task (Ball et al., 1993)
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From page 248... ...
However, the driving task involves much more than vehicle control and familiarity with rules: for example, perceiving and anticipating the actions of other motorists and the potential of other roadway hazards. The identification and teaching of such abilities should be the focus of research.
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From page 249... ...
. It is well known that some major abilities relevant to driving -- such as night vision, smooth pursuit eye movements, and reaction time -- all decline systematically with age and that the elderly frequently experience difficulty with cluttered environments.
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From page 250... ...
If statutes such as the Assured Clear Distance Ahead rule and regulations governing the use of alcohol were examined in relation to the behavioral sciences literature on human capabilities and limitations while operating a vehicle, the findings could lead to more rational laws and codes (Leibowitz et al., submitted for publication)
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From page 251... ...
In the following sections, we describe the CRM approach to aviation human factors and the open issues requiring research and committed action. Human Factors Training Approaches Flight crews operate within a system in which the individual functions as part of a team that functions within an organization that, in turn, is embedded in a regulatory and ambient environment.
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From page 252... ...
Research Needs in Aviation and Team Performance Integrating Technical and Psychological Training Although CRM training for flight crews has shown demonstrable, positive effects, it has not been successfully integrated with traditional technical instruction. The value of integrated instruction for complex technical operations -- so that, for example, training in maintaining control after losing an engine on takeoff is integrated with training in the coordination, communication, and decision making required to deal with such a contingency -- is widely recognized, and recently implemented Federal Aviation regulations will require such integration (Federal Aviation Administration, 1990; Helmreich and Foushee, 1993)
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From page 253... ...
CRM training has not been successfully exported from one culture to another without consideration of differing values; this shows the importance of cultural issues even for supposedly standardized tasks, such as managing the flight of a transport aircraft. One challenge for human factors is to understand how cultures, both national and organizational, influence attitudes and behaviors related to safety and efficiency and to adapt training to reflect cultural issues.
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From page 254... ...
. Automation and the "Electronic" Crew Member As increasingly sophisticated computer systems characterize the flight decks of modern aircraft, crews face the new dilemma of how to integrate an "electronic" crew member into team operations.
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From page 255... ...
Given the unlikelihood of effecting basic changes in personality except by extended psychotherapy, improved selection in terms of performance-related personality traits may be the last line of defense against ineffective crew coordination and teamwork. However, the human factors community should exhaust all avenues of research to determine if there are means of remediation for those deficient in interpersonal communication skills.
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From page 256... ...
has been advocating the extension of CRM from the cockpit to the bridge of maritime vessels (e.g., National Transportation Safety Board, 1993)
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From page 257... ...
master, can inhibit the effective communication and utilization of available resources, especially human ones. Team interface issues have also been implicated in a number of marine accidents, specifically flawed communications between pilots and masters while operating in restricted waters (e.g., National Transportation Safety Board, 1993)
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From page 258... ...
Pp. 499-504 in Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Aviation Psychology.
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From page 259... ...
Pp. 567-572 in Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Aviation Psychology.
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From page 260... ...
Itasca, Ill.: National Safety Council. National Transportation Safety Board 1993 Grounding of the UK passenger vessel RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 near Cuttyhunk Island, Vineyard Sound, Massachussetts.
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From page 261... ...
1993 Some Speculations About How to Determine Traffic-Safety Priorities. Unpub lished presentation at the UMTRI Human Factors Festival, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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