Development of A Standard Methodology for Optimizing Remote Visual Displays for Nuclear Maintenance Tasks
Optimal closed-circuit television viewing is a critical component in the development of remote teleoperator systems for the performance of complex work in high radiation environments. This paper describes the development of a methodology whereby the visual display components of such a system can be optimized from a human factors viewpoint. The following steps were taken: (1) Identification of generic remote tasks using chronology of typical operations, equipment specifications, and projections of maintenance and repair requirements. (2) Specification of task remote visual cue requirements on which experimental remote visual displays (independent variables) were designed. (3) Measurement of subjects’ task-related characteristics: general aptitude, work history, television habits, vision, and visual motor dexterity. (4) Design and implementation of an experiment to identify optimal remote visual displays as related to remote task performance (dependent variable). (5) Treatment of learning effects. The paper concludes with a discussion of the advantages of this method, the incorporation of subjects and experimental observations into future studies, and suggestions for the applicability of this methodology to other related remote visual display areas.