Impact of alarm management and automation on abnormal operations: A human-in-the-loop simulation study.

Process control consists of complex states of performance that require a significant amount of operator attention and skill to manage. Automation and smart alarms can enhance these processes. This study investigated the effects of alarm management and automation on process control operator workload (NASA-TLX) and performance via material lost through flaring outcomes. Eleven console qualified operators participated in a human-in-the-loop, high-fidelity simulation-based training exercise. Three levels of alarm management (no rationalization, rationalization, and state-based smart alarm) and two levels of automation (no automation and automation) conditions were implemented using six scenarios. A repeated measures two-way MANOVA indicated that both alarm management schema and automation significantly affected operator workload and performance. These results indicate that state-based smart alarm management and automation schemas may assist operators in reducing workload and material lost through flare release during abnormal operating conditions.

Human Factors Applied to Perioperative Process Improvement.

This article discusses some of the major theories of the science of human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) in relation to perioperative medicine, with a focus on safety and errors within these systems. The discussion begins with human limitations based in cognition, decision making, stress, and fatigue. Given these limitations, the importance of measuring human performance is discussed. Finally, using the HF/E perspective on safety, high-level recommendations are provided for increasing safety within the perioperative environment.

Training General Aviation Pilots for Convective Weather Situations.

BACKGROUND: Over the past 10-15 yr, considerable research has occurred for the development, testing, and fielding of real-time Datalink weather products for general aviation (GA) pilots to use before and during flight. As is the case with the implementation of most new technologies, work is needed to ensure that the users (in this case, the pilots) understand both the capabilities and limitations of the new technologies as well as how to use the new systems to improve their task performance. The purpose of this study was to replicate and extend a previous study on training pilots how and when to use these new weather technologies. METHOD: This field study used a quasi-experimental design (pre- vs. post-test with a control group). There were 91 GA pilots from the Midwest, Northeastern, and Southeastern United States who participated in a 2-h short course or a control activity. The lecture-based short course covered radar basics, Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD), NEXRAD specifics/limitations, thunderstorm basics, radar products, and decision making. RESULTS: The pilots who participated in the course earned higher knowledge test scores, improved at applying the concepts in paper-based flight scenarios, had higher self-efficacy in post-training assessments as compared to pre-training assessments, and also performed better than did control subjects on post-test knowledge and skills assessments. DISCUSSION: GA pilots lack knowledge about real-time Datalink weather technology. This study indicates that a relatively short training program was effective for fostering Datalink weather-related knowledge and skills in GA pilots.

Evaluating an education/training module to foster knowledge of cockpit weather technology.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has indicated that general aviation (GA) pilots may use the sophisticated meteorological information available to them via a variety of Next-Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) based weather products in a manner that actually decreases flight safety. METHODS: The current study examined an education/training method designed to enable GA pilots to use NEXRAD-based products effectively in convective weather situations. The training method was lecture combined with paper-based scenario exercises. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis of variance revealed that subjects in the training condition performed significantly better than did subjects in the control condition on several knowledge and attitude measures. Subjects in the training condition improved from a mean score of 66% to 80% on the radar-knowledge test and from 62% to 75% on the scenario-knowledge test. DISCUSSION: Although additional research is needed, these results demonstrated that pilots can benefit from a well-designed education/training program involving specific areas of aviation weather-related knowledge.

Training monitoring skills in helicopter pilots.

BACKGROUND: Prior research has indicated that ineffective pilot monitoring has been associated with aircraft accidents. Despite this finding, empirical research concerning pilot monitoring skill training programs is nearly nonexistent. E-learning may prove to be an effective method to foster nontechnical flight skills, including monitoring. This study examined the effect of using e-learning to enhance helicopter aircrew monitoring skill performance. METHODS: The design was a posttest only field study. Forty-four helicopter pilots completed either an e-learning training module or a control activity and then flew two scenarios in a high-fidelity flight simulator. Learner reactions and knowledge gained were assessed immediately following the e-learning module. Two observer raters assessed behaviors and performance outcomes using recordings of the simulation flights. RESULTS: Subjects who completed the e-learning training module scored almost twice as high as did the control group on the administered knowledge test (experimental group, mean = 92.8%; control group, mean = 47.7%) and demonstrated up to 150% more monitoring behaviors during the simulated flights than the control subjects. In addition, the participating pilots rated the course highly. DISCUSSION: The results supported the hypothesis that a relatively inexpensive and brief training course implemented through e-learning can foster monitoring skill development among helicopter pilots.