MODEL OF ACTIVITY OF A CANDIDATE FOR DRIVERS IN THE SYSTEM «CADET-CAR-ROAD-TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENT»

Presents a model of the activity of a candidate for drivers in the system «Cadet-Car-Road-Traffic environment». The main factors that have a direct impact on the formation of safe behavior skills while driving a vehicle at the stage of professional training of driving personnel are identified, which are: the probability of trouble-free, error-free, and timely performance of operator tasks.

MANIFESTATION OF THE STATE OF MONOTONY WHEN PERFORMING ARBITRARY PURPOSEFUL BIMANUAL MOVEMENTS

Bimanual coordination is necessary for successful performance of monotonous activities accompanied by monotonous complex-coordinated movements. Different types of complex operator tasks require a variety of coordination patterns with different levels of interaction between attention and hand movements. The article presents the results of studying the state of monotony when performing purposeful fine manipulative movements, considering the individual features of perception. The developed method of studying bimanual coordination allows us to establish the development of fatigue and monotony, which directly depends on the psychophysiological characteristics of a person.

Investigating Inclusive Design of Shared Automated Vehicles with Full-Scale Modeling

Shared automated vehicles (SAVs) in the form of low-speed driverless shuttles have the potential to improve independent mobility for older adults and people with disabilities. At full vehicle autonomy and in the absence of an onboard operator, tasks such as ingress-egress, interior circulation, and securement of passengers and carry-on items will need to be safe, efficient, and independent. This paper describes a novel laboratory apparatus for conducting inclusive design research related to SAVs and presents preliminary findings from an ongoing preliminary study examining the effects of interior design configuration on ingress-egress performance for six wheelchair users. Early findings emphasize the interactions between diverse user abilities and technology design on user performance. The study demonstrates the potential benefit of full-scale physical simulations to investigating a broad range of usability and inclusive design issues related to emerging SAVs.

Operational Simulation Environment for SCADA Integration of Renewable Resources

The complexity of power systems is rising mainly due to the expansion of renewable energy generation. Due to the enormous variability and uncertainty associated with these types of resources, they require sophisticated planning tools so that they can be used appropriately. In this sense, several tools for the simulation of renewable energy assets have been proposed. However, they are traditionally focused on the simulation of the generation process, leaving the operation of these systems in the background. Conversely, more expert SCADA operators for the management of renewable power plants are required, but their training is not an easy task. SCADA operation is usually complex, due to the wide set of information available. In this sense, simulation or co-simulation tools can clearly help to reduce the learning curve and improve their skills. Therefore, this paper proposes a useful simulator based on a JavaScript engine that can be easily connected to any renewable SCADAs, making it possible to perform different simulated scenarios for novel operator training, as if it were a real facility. Using this tool, the administrators can easily program those scenarios allowing them to sort out the lack of support found in setting up facilities and training of novel operator tasks. Additionally, different renewable energy generation models that can be implemented in the proposed simulator are described. Later, as a use example of this tool, a study case is also performed. It proposes three different wind farm generation facility models, based on different turbine models: one with the essential generation turbine function obtained from the manufacturer curve, another with an empirical model using monotonic splines, and the last one adding the most important operational states, making it possible to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed simulation tool.

On the Bridges: Insight Into the Current and Future Use of Automated Systems as Seen by Royal Navy Personnel

This paper explores the current state of automated systems in the Royal Navy (RN), as well as exploring where personnel view systems would have the most benefit to their operations in the future. In addition, personnel’s views on the current consultation process for new systems are presented. Currently serving RN personnel ( n = 46) completed a questionnaire distributed at the Maritime Warfare School. Thematic analysis was conducted on the 5,125 words that were generated by personnel. Results show that RN personnel understand the requirement to utilize automated systems to maintain capability in the increasingly complex environments they face. This requirement will increase as future warfare continues to change and increasingly sophisticated threats are faced. However, it was highlighted that current consultation and procurement procedures often result in new automated systems that are not fit for purpose at time of release. This has negative consequences on operator tasks, for example by increasing workload and reducing appropriate system use, as well as increasing financial costs associated with the new systems. It is recommended that an increase in communication and collaboration between currently serving personnel and system designers may result in preventing the release of systems that are not fit for purpose.

Workload Thresholds for Human Performance Models

Human performance modeling (HPM) can be an effective tool to use for determining crew designs. Crew design includes determining the number of operators needed, the role of automation, and member task responsibilities required to operate a system. Without effective measures of performance and thresholds for assessing success, design decisions from HPM will be erroneous. Operator tasks can be assigned and allocated to crew members in a simulation to estimate the workload for each operator during a period of performance. The methods for determining when an operator exceeds workload thresholds create challenges for those using HPM for crew design. Some types of analysis have more clearly defined thresholds. For example, if a military operator has too many tasks to complete to effectively initiate countermeasures between the times they receive a warning until the time the threat arrives, they are overloaded and cannot complete their mission. However, many missions do not have such a severe penalty for not completing the tasks within a given time. For example, pharmacists, satellite managers, traffic managers, food service workers do not have such stringent task timing completion thresholds. For example, the penalty for a food service provider to be overloaded is typically extended wait times rather than risk of a loss of life. For these types of operational situations, determining overload is much more challenging. This paper describes a new workload thresholds for operator workflow models. It incorporates the vigilance effort, the maximum time a crew member will be fully loaded, and determining the maximum time worked without a break.