Human Factors Integration Tomasz Sobkow
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Agenda
• Human factors definition
• Why human factors integration is important on projects
• Why there is a resistance towards human factors integration
• Tools and methods used by human factors specialists
• Examples of good and bad human factors practice
Human Factors Integration
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Human factors is a discipline that applies knowledge
generated by psychology, sociology, ergonomics,
physiology to improve interaction between humans and
technological systems.
Human factors aim is to understand human capabilities
and limitations and implement these findings into more
efficient and safer technological systems.
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Safety
• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that human error is involved in approximately 80% of accidents.
• A substantial number of these accidents is due to design induced error.
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RAM
• Reliability Availability Maintainability (RAM)- Analysing and measuring reliability of a system without
assessing human reliability is at best incomplete and at worst misleading!
- Systems design around human capabilities, improves overall system efficiency
• Costs- Systems designed in line with human capabilities and
limitations are more cost effective to operate
• Beyond HF…- Performing tasks related to HF integration improves
overall design integration.
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Human factors plays a significant role in transportation systems from customer experience through to maintenance, operations and safety.
Neglecting human factors in a design can lead to significant issues with usability, operations, maintenance and safety.
However…
Clients and project sponsors very often do not require human factors integration which indicate that HF is not seen as a important element of the design process.
Human Factors in Design©
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Limited
knowledge
Low
pressureSmall
budget
Poor
results
Consequences
remote in time
Poor performance
not linked to
HF
HF issues not identified
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A structured, objective approach to describing users tasks. In its most basic form, a hierarchical task analysis provides an understanding of the tasks users need to perform to achieve certain goals.
• Human Error Analysis
• Human Reliability Analysis
• Operational Concept Development
• Workload Analysis
Human Factors Integration
Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA)©
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Task
Cognitive Demand
Time Demand
Physical Demand
Workload Assessment
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• HEART technique
Generic tasks categories:
- (A) Totally unfamiliar, performed at speed with no real idea of likely consequences – 0.55
- (G) Completely familiar, well-designed, highly practised, routine task occurring several times per hour, performed to highest possible standards by highly motivated, highly trained and experienced personnel – 0.0004
Error producing conditions
- High level emotional stress
- An incentive to use other more dangerous procedures
Human Factors Integration
Human Reliability Assessment©
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• Sightline assessment
• Maintenance access assessment
• Reach envelope
• Workstation ergonomics
• Large Video Display positioning
Human Factors Integration
…don’t confuse with ‘pretty pictures’
3D Ergonomics©
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• On 10 March 2009, a Docklands
Light Railway service became
derailed as it travelled through a set
of points at North Quay junction,
just north of West India Quay
station. There were no injuries to
the 80 passengers or the passenger
service agent on board the train
• The control centre controller did
not intervene to stop the movement
of the train or follow the emergency
procedure
• The control centre controller was
not aware of the exact position of
the train
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• The drivers’ ability to read the DMI
display was compromised due to
glare
• To mitigate glare a brighter DMI
display was fitted to ensure that
contrast levels in bright conditions
was adequate
Human Factors Integration
• This mitigation created another issue. The new DMI display was too bright
for some drivers during night-time conditions
• This usability issue was temporarily mitigated by the introduction of a fold
down polarized ‘shade’
• This solution did not work well with a touch screen!
Cambrian ETCS trial©
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• One of the first projects requiring human factors integration within MTR
• Design team attitude towards human factors from negative to neutral
• Strong evidence was required to influence design
- recent RSSB research
- videos / pictures from the existing
system
Human Factors Integration
Kai Tak Station - MTR©
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• Client brief included all requirements from ISO 11064 Control Room Design
• Human Factors tasks were fully integrated into design process
• Well timed introduction of human factors stream of work ensured maximum return on investment
• Full engagement from all stakeholders including shadow operator
Human Factors Integration
Route Control Centre - Crossrail©
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• Task Analysis – helped to enhance and validate Operational Concept
• Predicted Workload Assessment – helped to rationalize staffing level within RCC
• Alarms Philosophy - dictated common approach to alarm management across different system suppliers
• Human Machine Interface Guidance – dictated common approach towards design of HMI across different system suppliers
• Advanced 3D Ergonomics helped to develop the optimal control room layout
Human Factors Integration
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Thank you
Tomasz Sobkow
If you want to learn more:
• Human Factors & Ergonomics Society of Australia - www.ergonomics.org.au
• Independent Transport Safety Regulator - www.transportregulator.nsw.gov.au
• Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors - www.ergonomics.org.uk