Human Factors An Overview Dr. Beth Lyall Research Integrations, Inc.

Multiple Disciplines Psychology Engineering Biomechanics Exercise Science Cognitive Science Sociology

Terminology Human factors Ergonomics Cognitive engineering Cognitive science Engineering psychology Human performance engineering Human engineering Aviation psychology Usability User centered Human centered Systems Engineering Cognitive Psychology User experience design Interaction design

Focus of Human Factors Understanding and affecting the functioning or operation of a system that includes humans Quality of system performance Productivity Safety “system” must be defined National airspace system Terminal area Airport Airplane Flight deck

Measures of system performance are needed

technologies and equipment System humans tasks and procedures technologies and equipment Environment

Technologies and equipment Environment Technologies and equipment Understand qualities and characteristics Affect design and capabilities Consider interdependencies tasks and procedures humans

Technologies and equipment Environment Technologies and equipment Time pressure Workload Stressors tasks and procedures humans

Technologies and equipment Intended function Interface controls displays system logic tasks and procedures humans

Technologies and equipment tasks and procedures humans Availability Understandability Compatibility

Technologies and equipment Capabilities and limitations anthropometrics perception memory attention strength Training and experience knowledge psychomotor skills perceptual skills cognitive skills tasks and procedures humans

Skills Examples Manual handling Use of automated systems Psychomotor skill Use of automated systems Cognitive skill Problem identification Perceptual skill The type of skills being developed affects the type and amount of practice required

Measurement Have to be able to define and measure the important elements of the system Accomplishment of intended function Reliability Accomplishment of tasks Speed Accuracy

CRM History NASA 1979 workshop “Resource management in the flight deck” Focused on prevalence of human error in accidents Developed “cockpit resource management” training ideas Interpersonal communications Decision making Leadership

Line oriented approach Training topics have expanded and varied Crew concept approach Line oriented approach Training topics have expanded and varied Both knowledge and skills CRM vs technical skills Threat and error management humans

Example of human factors approach: Fatigue Understanding of how fatigue affects human performance Understanding about elements of technology design that can result in fatigue Understanding about how environment characteristics can result in fatigue Understanding about how task and procedures design can result in fatigue Training for knowledge of fatigue countermeasures and skill in applying them

Technologies and equipment Environment Technologies and equipment Effective human factors work knows the system elements of focus And understands the other elements and their interdependencies tasks and procedures humans