scholarly journals Safety Verification for Autonomous Ships

2019 ◽  
Vol 273 ◽  
pp. 02002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Børge Rokseth ◽  
Odd Ivar Haugen ◽  
Ingrid Bouwer Utne

Autonomous and unmanned ships are approaching reality. One of several unsolved challenges related to these systems is how to perform safety verification. Although this challenge represents a many-faceted problem, which must be addressed at several levels, it seems likely that simulatorbased testing of high-level computer control systems will be an important technique. In the field of reliability verification and testing, design verification refers to the process of verifying that specified functions are satisfied over the life of a system. A basic requirement for any autonomous ship is that it has to be safe. In this paper, we propose to use the Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) to (i) derive potential loss scenarios for autonomous ships and safety requirements to prevent them from occurring, and (ii) to develop a safety verification program, including test cases, intended to verify safety. Loss scenarios and associated safety requirements are derived using STPA. To derive a safety verification program, these unsafe scenarios and safety requirements are used to identify key variables, verification objectives, acceptance criteria and a set of suitable verification activities related to each scenario. The paper describes the proposed methodology and demonstrates it in a case study. Test cases for simulator-based testing and practical sea-trials are derived for autonomous ships. The case study shows that the proposed method is feasible as a way of generating a holistic safety verification program for autonomous ships.

Author(s):  
Ritch Rappel ◽  
Julian Dorscht ◽  
Reena Sahney

The pipeline sector is facing a multi-faceted challenge regarding its workforce. Valuable knowledge is being lost as increasing numbers of technical experts and long-term employees exit the industry (due to retirement). Concurrently, the public spotlight is focused on the environmental impact of the pipeline industry. Therefore, robust construction of new pipelines and effective maintenance of aging infrastructure is increasingly important. Herein lies the challenge — How does the industry transfer the knowledge required to ensure that personnel have suitable competency to maintain the integrity of the pipeline system? A scenario where new personnel efficiently gain knowledge through experience is critical. An important aspect of achieving this is a more systematic and thoughtful approach to knowledge transfer. As part of its fundamental methodology for developing training and alternate methods for knowledge transfer, the team launched an initiative to review the literature and current industry approaches. This was done as a key input to developing a “Knowledge Taxonomy.” This tool simplifies the process for selecting the optimal method for effectively transferring key technical knowledge based on the desired level of competency (e.g., awareness building vs. mastery). Specifically, the team identified a number of consistent themes and combined them with both sound educational theory and industry experience to develop a tool in the form of a practical framework. This Knowledge Transfer Taxonomy was then applied to a specific knowledge gap in industry as a case study. This paper will 1. Summarize, at a high level, the results of the literature review and current approaches; 2. Describe the framework (i.e., Knowledge Taxonomy) developed by the team; 3. Discuss a case study involving the application of this framework to a specific and real challenge; and Through this work, the team identified and developed specific strategies and tactics to effectively overcome some of the barriers to knowledge transfer. These experiences will be shared in the context of a specific situation that typifies the current challenges industry is facing in effective knowledge transfer.


Author(s):  
Benjamin Chesluk ◽  
Laura Tollen ◽  
Joy Lewis ◽  
Samantha DuPont ◽  
Marc H. Klau

Payers are demanding that US health care become more accountable and integrated, posing new demands for physicians and the organizations that partner with them. We conducted focus groups with 30 physicians in a large integrated delivery system who had previous experience practicing in less integrated settings and asked about skills they need to succeed in this environment. Physicians identified 3 primary skills: orienting to teams and systems, engaging patients as individuals and as a panel, and integrating cost awareness into practice. Physicians also expressed a high level of trust that the system was designed to help them provide better care. This belief appeared to make the new demands and mental shifts tolerable, even welcome, standing in contrast to research showing widespread physician distrust of their institutional settings. Physicians’ new skills and the system features that promote trust are described in the article and should be a focus for systems transitioning to a more integrated, accountable model.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 277
Author(s):  
Andrzej Paszkiewicz ◽  
Mateusz Salach ◽  
Dominik Strzałka ◽  
Grzegorz Budzik ◽  
Alicja Nikodem ◽  
...  

Areas of experience allow for the acquisition and consolidation of both existing knowledge and skills. These are significant factors in the training of staff members for companies in the Industry 4.0 area. One of the currently available modern tools used in the teaching process is virtual reality (VR) technology. This technology, due to its high level of immersion and involvement of the different senses, and the need to focus on the performed activities, allows one to develop skills in solving various tasks and problems. The extended VR environment enables the creation of diverse teaching scenarios adapted to the needs of industry. This paper presents the possibility of building training scenarios in the field of digital techniques. The software solution, developed and presented by the authors, uses elements of computer game mechanics and is designed to familiarize students with the idea of digital circuits, their construction, logical implementation and application. This paper also presents a comparison of the features of different forms of education used in teaching digital techniques, as well as a comparison of these forms, from the point of view of the student and his/her perceptions.


Author(s):  
J. Goodland ◽  
I. F. Campean ◽  
A. Caunce ◽  
J. L. Victory ◽  
M. L. Jupp

Enhancement in productivity and cost effectiveness of high value manufacturing requires a process based management strategy. This paper introduces a Manufacturing Failure Mode Avoidance (MFMA) framework based on 4 high level process steps and underpinned by a sequence of engineering and process analysis tools to support a structured function-based decomposition of complex manufacturing processes and a continuous flow of information towards the development of robust control plans. The approach draws from experience in the automotive industry, where Failure Mode Avoidance (FMA) has been strategically adopted to achieve a step change in the effectiveness of business and engineering processes associated with the product creation processes. The paper presents a case study of the deployment of the MFMA framework to an aircraft manufacturing process followed by a broader discussion of the strength of the approach and its generic applicability to complex high value manufacturing engineering.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1131-1135
Author(s):  
Tomas Hambili Paulo Sanjuluca ◽  
◽  
Ricardo Correia ◽  
Anabela Antunes de Almeida ◽  
Ana Gloria Diaz Martinez ◽  
...  

Introduction: In order to have a good assessment of the quality of maternal and child health care, it is essential that there is up-to-date and reliable information. Objective: To evaluate the impact of the implementation of a computerized database of clinical processes in the admission, archive and medical statistics section, of Maternity hospital Irene Neto/Lubango-Angola. Methodology: A descriptive study with a quantitative and qualitative approach to carry out a retrospective case study deliveries and newborns, records from 2014 to 2017. Final considerations: The implementation of this project may contribute to the improvement of clinical management support management of the hospital as well as facilitating access to information for research and scientific production.


GIS Business ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 206-212
Author(s):  
Dr. D. Shoba ◽  
Dr. G. Suganthi

Employees and employers are facing issues in work life balance. It has become a difficult domain now, because the work needs have increased due to an increase in work pressure and complexities in handling the technology. As there are drastic changes in the rules and regulations in the work scenario of the aviation industry, it makes work life balance of employees difficult and set more hurdles. Hence there are many distractions and imbalances in the life of women employees in the aviation industry working across all levels. This work pressure is creating high level of hurdles in maintaining a harmonious job and family life, especially for female aviation employees. Data is collected from 50 female crew members working at Cochin International Airport. The objective of this study is to analyze the work life balance of working females of Cochin International Airport and its influence on their personal and specialized lives. The result of the study shows that the management should frame certain policies which will help employees to have the balance among their personal and expert lives.


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