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Telephone systems for the user — The telephone user as a component in system design
report. Nov 1976, 30 pp; abstr m Government Reports A nnounceme~r,~ (Report No AD-A037 992/5GA).
Abstracts To provide readers of Applied Ergonomics with a selection of current ergonomics literature likely to be of direct practical value, abstracts are published selected from the collection held at the Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre. These abstracts are classified in a similar manner to the main articles in the journal; for easy reference, the code number at the head of each abstract (eg 1.1.2 I) consists of the volume number, part or issue number ar.d a sequential abstract number. The published abstracts are only a selection of the Centre's material and readers concerned with specific areas are invited to contact the Centre for further information. Those readers unable to obtain copies of the original articles abstracted here through their usual sources, such as company librarian, may obtain photocopies from the Centre. Details of this service are available from The Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre, Department of Engineering Production, University of Birmingham, PO Box 363, Birmingham 15. Tel. 0 2 1 - 4 7 2 1301.
General 9.1.1 (772537) Anon A new method of accident analysis (Une Nouvelle Methode d'Etude d'Accident). (In French.) Vigilance, Sep 1976, No 54, 3 - 2 5 ; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 77-574). Following research at the European Coal and Steel Community, the Accident Prevention and Safety Service (SPS) of the French Electricity Board developed a new method of accident analysis based on the theory of sets. The method is explained in accessible language with many diagrams, tables and drawings; accident analysis starting with the working situation and in terms of as broad a frame of reference as possible; reconstitution of the cause of accidents to discover conducive elements (preparation and execution of the work, equipment, environment), human elements (psychosociological, physiological factors, training, etc) and causes (collisions, fails, etc) effects on the individual. Application of the method: accident report form serving as basis for preventive action (immediate measures at the workplace; possible elaboration of solutions at the national level by communication of useful information to the SPS). 9.1.2 (72540)
Bellone, L. Improvement of the conditions of man at work - Ergonomics Handbook (Amelioration de la Condition de l'Homme au Travail - Manuel d'Ergonomie). (In French.) Editions d'Organisation, Paris, France, 1976, 192 pp; abstr in CIS Abstraets (CIS 77-577). This book, written 'by a technician for technicians', concentrates on
38
Applied Ergonomics
March 1978
information processing and work organization rather than occupational phsyiology. After general consideration on ergonomics, the need to improve working conditions (above all rejection of the assembly-line system), systems theory, and information, the author studies the applications and interdisciplinary aspects of ergonomics (recruitment, training, man-machine interface, definition of tasks, structure of teams, role of data processing, etc); role of the human sciences (occupational sociology and critique of scientific management according to Taylor; man and his psychology and the work group), physiological and psychological ergonomics (cerebral structures, physical fatigue and biological indices of fatigue, postures, work environments, working hours, mental load, training, etc). 9.1.3 (72568) Noe, W. Telephone systems for the user - The telephone user as a component in system design. Siemens Telefon Report, Jul 1977, 12.3, 9 7 - 1 0 4 . If telephone systems are to suit the requirements of their users, the relevant factors should ideally be taken into account at the design stage. For this purpose fundamental ergonomic and anthropometric data are available, as well as the results of problem-oriented studies of human factors in telephone engineering. In this article the author gives a survey of the experimental results and experience gathered in this field. 9.1.4 (72577)
Weaver, C.A. Human considerations in new generation army aircraft systems. Study project
This study is useful to project managers, decision makers and users alike, particularly those interested in rotary-wing system acquisition. It is also useflal to behavioural scientists and human factors engineers as an aid to becoming sensitive to user requirements and changes in the operational environment. Purpose, scope and limitations are established. The issues are placed in perspective through a discussion of projected man-machine relationships with respect to the anticipated future operational environment of helicopters. Basic army aviation systems of the future are described in relation to aviation missions. Projected human factors problems are examined as a function of system performance and operational trends. Human factors are related to life cycle costing by suggesting a relationship between the manager's decision flexibility and a commitment to a final system configuration. It is concluded that a departure from traditional cockpit design is necessary. Recommendations are made concerning decision criteria and human factorsacquisition cycle interface.
Visual processes in man 9.1.5 (72583)
Welsh, K.W., Vaughan, J.A. and Rasmussen, P.G. Survey of cockpit visual problems of senior pilots. Dec 1976, 11 pp; abstr in Government Reports Announcements (Report No AD-A037 587/3GA). Fifty general aviation pilots (average age 49; range 4 0 - 7 3 ) completed a questionnaire concerning cockpit visual problems. The results of the questionnaire indicated that proper interpretation of the airspeed indicator and the altimeter required the best visual acuity (48 and 39% of the respondents respectively). However, 33% reported the attitude indicator, an instrument with relatively few numerals or markings, required optimum visual acquity. 37% of the pilots reported that the engine instruments, usually smaller scale, are difficult to read. Light reflected from instrument cover plates caused visual problems for 32% of the pilots, with most difficulty occurring during daylight hours. 48% of the pilots reported a delay in focusing from outside the cockpit to the charts and instruments, while 6% reported a delay of focusing from inside to outside the cockpit.
Abstracts To provide readers of Applied Ergonomics with a selection of current ergonomics literature likely to be of direct practical value, abstracts are published selected from the collection held at the Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre. These abstracts are classified in a similar manner to the main articles in the journal; for easy reference, the code number at the head of each abstract (eg 1.1.2 I) consists of the volume number, part or issue number ar.d a sequential abstract number. The published abstracts are only a selection of the Centre's material and readers concerned with specific areas are invited to contact the Centre for further information. Those readers unable to obtain copies of the original articles abstracted here through their usual sources, such as company librarian, may obtain photocopies from the Centre. Details of this service are available from The Ergonomics Information Analysis Centre, Department of Engineering Production, University of Birmingham, PO Box 363, Birmingham 15. Tel. 0 2 1 - 4 7 2 1301.
General 9.1.1 (772537) Anon A new method of accident analysis (Une Nouvelle Methode d'Etude d'Accident). (In French.) Vigilance, Sep 1976, No 54, 3 - 2 5 ; abstr in CIS Abstracts (CIS 77-574). Following research at the European Coal and Steel Community, the Accident Prevention and Safety Service (SPS) of the French Electricity Board developed a new method of accident analysis based on the theory of sets. The method is explained in accessible language with many diagrams, tables and drawings; accident analysis starting with the working situation and in terms of as broad a frame of reference as possible; reconstitution of the cause of accidents to discover conducive elements (preparation and execution of the work, equipment, environment), human elements (psychosociological, physiological factors, training, etc) and causes (collisions, fails, etc) effects on the individual. Application of the method: accident report form serving as basis for preventive action (immediate measures at the workplace; possible elaboration of solutions at the national level by communication of useful information to the SPS). 9.1.2 (72540)
Bellone, L. Improvement of the conditions of man at work - Ergonomics Handbook (Amelioration de la Condition de l'Homme au Travail - Manuel d'Ergonomie). (In French.) Editions d'Organisation, Paris, France, 1976, 192 pp; abstr in CIS Abstraets (CIS 77-577). This book, written 'by a technician for technicians', concentrates on
38
Applied Ergonomics
March 1978
information processing and work organization rather than occupational phsyiology. After general consideration on ergonomics, the need to improve working conditions (above all rejection of the assembly-line system), systems theory, and information, the author studies the applications and interdisciplinary aspects of ergonomics (recruitment, training, man-machine interface, definition of tasks, structure of teams, role of data processing, etc); role of the human sciences (occupational sociology and critique of scientific management according to Taylor; man and his psychology and the work group), physiological and psychological ergonomics (cerebral structures, physical fatigue and biological indices of fatigue, postures, work environments, working hours, mental load, training, etc). 9.1.3 (72568) Noe, W. Telephone systems for the user - The telephone user as a component in system design. Siemens Telefon Report, Jul 1977, 12.3, 9 7 - 1 0 4 . If telephone systems are to suit the requirements of their users, the relevant factors should ideally be taken into account at the design stage. For this purpose fundamental ergonomic and anthropometric data are available, as well as the results of problem-oriented studies of human factors in telephone engineering. In this article the author gives a survey of the experimental results and experience gathered in this field. 9.1.4 (72577)
Weaver, C.A. Human considerations in new generation army aircraft systems. Study project
This study is useful to project managers, decision makers and users alike, particularly those interested in rotary-wing system acquisition. It is also useflal to behavioural scientists and human factors engineers as an aid to becoming sensitive to user requirements and changes in the operational environment. Purpose, scope and limitations are established. The issues are placed in perspective through a discussion of projected man-machine relationships with respect to the anticipated future operational environment of helicopters. Basic army aviation systems of the future are described in relation to aviation missions. Projected human factors problems are examined as a function of system performance and operational trends. Human factors are related to life cycle costing by suggesting a relationship between the manager's decision flexibility and a commitment to a final system configuration. It is concluded that a departure from traditional cockpit design is necessary. Recommendations are made concerning decision criteria and human factorsacquisition cycle interface.
Visual processes in man 9.1.5 (72583)
Welsh, K.W., Vaughan, J.A. and Rasmussen, P.G. Survey of cockpit visual problems of senior pilots. Dec 1976, 11 pp; abstr in Government Reports Announcements (Report No AD-A037 587/3GA). Fifty general aviation pilots (average age 49; range 4 0 - 7 3 ) completed a questionnaire concerning cockpit visual problems. The results of the questionnaire indicated that proper interpretation of the airspeed indicator and the altimeter required the best visual acuity (48 and 39% of the respondents respectively). However, 33% reported the attitude indicator, an instrument with relatively few numerals or markings, required optimum visual acquity. 37% of the pilots reported that the engine instruments, usually smaller scale, are difficult to read. Light reflected from instrument cover plates caused visual problems for 32% of the pilots, with most difficulty occurring during daylight hours. 48% of the pilots reported a delay in focusing from outside the cockpit to the charts and instruments, while 6% reported a delay of focusing from inside to outside the cockpit.