Interface
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
16.422 Workload and Situation
Awareness
Prof. R. John Hansman
Acknowledgements to Mica Ensley
Interface
System
Supervisory
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Display
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Direct Observation
Workload
ü What is workload?
ü Why is it important?
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Driving Case: B757/767
2 or 3 person crew ?
ü Prior to 767 somewhat arbitrary break at 100 seats
o DC-9 (2 person crew - pilot, co-pilot)
o B-727 (3 person crew - pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer)
ü B-757/767 Designed for 2 person Crew
o Use of automation and simplified systems so minimize systems
management
o Use of Advanced Cockpit to Increase SA and make primary flight tasks
easier
ü Safety concerns raised by Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)
o Workload
o Off Nominal and Emergency Conditions (eg manual pressurization)
o Job Protection issues
ü Workload became political and regulatory issue
Interface
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Workload Definitions?
ü Physical Workload
o Traditional view of work for manual labor
o Can be measured in physical terms (ergs, joules, ..)
o Limited impact of skill to minimize (ie subject variability)
ü “Mental” Workload
o Often not related to physical work
o Internal measure difficult to observe
o Varies with task difficulty and complexity
o Significant subject variability
o No real consensus on what it is
o Workload is a “dirty” word in Experimental Psychology
ü Activity
o Things that are done
o Physical activity easy to measure
ü Taskload
o External measure of tasks which need to be done
o Can be weighted for factors such as task difficulty or complexity
Interface
Yerks-Dotson Law
System
Supervisory
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Direct Observation
http://www.hf.faa.gov/Webtraining/Cognition/Workload/Mental3.htm
Interface
Curve
System
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Direct Observation
Typical Performance vs. Task Load
Performance
Task Load
Helicopter Observation of Driver Example
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Off Nominal Considerations
ü System design often driven by off-nominal conditions
o Emergencies
o System Failures
o Failure of the Automation system
ü Secondary task considerations
ü Cockpit Example
o Emergency diversion
o Depressurization
Interface
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Direct Observation
Workload Measurement
Approaches
ü Objective Performance Approaches
o Primary Task (Yerks Dodson)
o Secondary Task (works well to measure saturation threshold)
u Concept of Spare Cognitive Capacity
ü Objective Physiological Measures (weak)
o Heart Rate Variability
o Pupil Diameter
o EEG P 300
o Skin Galvanic Response
o New Imaging Methods
ü Subjective Workload Assessment Techniques
o Formal
o Direct Query
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Direct Observation
Subjective Assessment
Techniques
ü Simpson-Sheridan/ Cooper-Harper
ü Bedford Scale
ü Rate or Perceived Exertion (RPE)
ü NASA Task Load Index (TLX)
ü Defense Research Agency Workload Scale (DRAWS)
ü Malvern Capacity Estimate (MCE)
Interface
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Direct Observation
Simpson-Sheridan Scale
ü Modified Cooper Harper Scale for Workload
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Interface
Display
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Direct Observation
Cooper Harper
Source: http://history.nasa.gov/SP-3300
Interface
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Bedford Scale
ü The Bedford Scale is a uni-dimensional rating scale designed to
identify operator's spare mental capacity while completing a
task. The single dimension is assessed using a hierarchical
decision tree that guides the operator through a ten-point rating
scale, each point of which is accompanied by a descriptor of the
associated level of workload. It is simple, quick and easy to
apply in situ to assess task load in high workload environments,
but it does not have a diagnostic capability.
ü Refs: Roscoe and Ellis, 199
Source: Eurocontrol http://www.eurocontrol.int/eatmp/hifa/hifa/HIFAdata_tools_workload.html
Interface
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Direct Observation
Rate of Perceived Exertion
Borg RPE Scale
ü 6 No exertion at all
ü 7 Extremely Light
ü 8
ü 9 Very Light
ü 10
ü 11 Light
ü 12
ü 13 Somewhat Hard
ü 14
ü 15 Hard (Heavy)
ü 16
ü 17 Very Hard
ü 18
ü 19 Extremely Hard
ü 20 Maximal Exertion
ü Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion
Scale
ü Originally developed for
physical workload
ü Intended to be ordinal scale
ü Modified 0-10 version CR-10
Source: http://dticam.dtic.mil
Interface
NASA TLX
Task Load Index
System
Supervisory
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Display
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Sensors
Direct Observation
ü Sandy Hart
ü 5 Element Structured Subjective
Assessment
ü Individual relative element
calibration
ü Requires Trained Users
ü Often used but difficult to
interpert
http://www.hf.faa.gov/Webtraining/Cognition/Workload/Mental3.htm
Interface
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DRAWS
ü DRAWS is a multi-dimensional tool (similar to NASA TLX) used
to gain a subjective assessment of workload from operators.
The rating scales are input demand (demand from the
acquisition of information from external sources), central
demand (demand from mental operations), output demand
(demand from the responses required by the task), and time
pressure (demand from the rate at which tasks must be
performed). DRAWS offers ease of data collection and ratings
can be obtained during task performance by asking respondent
to call out ratings (from 0 to 100) to verbal prompts. This can
also provide a workload profile through a task sequence.
ü Refs: Farmer et al, 1995; Jordan et al, 1995.
Source: Eurocontrol http://www.eurocontrol.int/eatmp/hifa/hifa/HIFAdata_tools_workload.html
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Malvern Capacity Estimate
ü MACE is designed as a quick simple and direct measure of
maximum capacity. It is designed to provide a direct measure
of air traffic controllers' subjective estimates of their own
aircraft handling capacity. MACE is applied at the end of a work
sequence (e.g., simulation trial) and provides capacity estimates
in aircraft per hour. Applications have typically been in
simulation environments.
ü Refs: Goillau and Kelly, 1996.
Source: Eurocontrol http://www.eurocontrol.int/eatmp/hifa/hifa/HIFAdata_tools_workload.html
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Instant Self Assessment of
Workload (ISA)
ü ISA was developed as a tool that an operator could use to
estimate their perceived workload during real-time simulations.
The operator is prompted at regular intervals to give a rating of
1 to 5 of how busy he is (1 means under-utilized, 5 means
excessively busy). These data can be used to compare
operators' perceived workload, for example, with and without a
particular tool, or between different systems.
ü Refs: Jordan, 1992.
Source: Eurocontrol http://www.eurocontrol.int/eatmp/hifa/hifa/HIFAdata_tools_workload.html
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Subjective Workload Assessment
Techniques (SWAT)
ü SWAT is a subjective scale of workload that can be
administered easily in operation situations and is available as a
PC-based software tool. It is multi-dimensional tool
incorporating factors of temporal load, mental effort and
psychological stress. SWAT has two stages: The respondent
ranks the levels of the three workload scales in order from the
lowest to highest workload prior to the trial, and rates each of
the scales during the trial. It was originally designed to assess
aircraft cockpit and other crew-station environments to assess
the workload associated with the operators' activities.
ü Refs: Reid and Nygren, 1988; Dean 1997
Source: Eurocontrol http://www.eurocontrol.int/eatmp/hifa/hifa/HIFAdata_tools_workload.html
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Direct Observation
S i t u a t i o n Aw a r e n e s s
ü Term originally defined for air combat
ü Working Definition (Hansman) : Sufficiently detailed
mental picture of the vehicle and environment (i.e.
world model) to allow the operator to make well-
informed (i.e., conditionally correct) decisions.
ü Individual SA and Team SA
ü Has become an extremely popular and powerful
concept
ü Mica Endsley: Situation vs Situational Awareness
Interface
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Endsley
Situation Awareness Model
(Image removed due to copyright considerations.)
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References: Endsley, 1995; Pawlak, 1996; Reynolds et al., 2002
3 Projection
DECISION
3 - Projection 2 - Comprehension1- Perception
Weather State
Aircraft State
Interaction
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Weather
Phenomenology
Aircraft
Envelope
Future
Exposure
Weather
Forecast
Aircraft
Trajectory
PERFORMANCE
OF ACTIONS
Implement
Information
System
Aircraft Trajectory Control
Pilot
Monitoring
Evaluating
Planning
PLAN
Contingency Plans
Nominal Plan
Weather
Mental Model
Training
Experience
Procedures
Adjusting
Inform
ation
Information Request/Transmission
Aircraft
Situation
Dynamics
Interaction
Weather
PERCEP
TION
Model of Pilots’ Cognitive Constructs of
Information Processing
Interface
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
Enhancing SA
ü Level 1 - Perception
o Enhanced Perception Systems ( eg Enhanced Vision Systems)
o Alerting Systems
ü Level 2 - Comprehension
o SA Displays (eg Moving Map Displays, EGPWS)
ü Level 3 - Projection
o Displays
o Decision Support Tools
Interface
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
Enhancing SA
ü Level 1 - Perception
o Enhanced Perception Systems ( eg Enhanced Vision Systems)
o Alerting Systems
ü Level 2 - Comprehension
o SA Displays (eg Moving Map Displays, EGPWS)
ü Level 3 - Projection
o Displays
o Decision Support Tools
Interface
System
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Direct Observation
Enhanced Vision &
Synthetic Vision Systems
Enhanced Vision Synthetic Vision
Interface
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Enhanced Vision
Picture of the outside world created by real-time weather and darkness
penetrating on-board sensors (eg. Cameras, FLIR, MMW radar, and
weather radar).
Interface
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Synthetic Vision
Picture of the outside world created by combining precise navigation position
with databases of comprehensive geographic, cultural and tactical information.
Interface
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
Enhancing SA
ü Level 1 - Perception
o Enhanced Perception Systems ( eg Enhanced Vision Systems)
o Alerting Systems
ü Level 2 - Comprehension
o SA Displays (eg Moving Map Displays, EGPWS)
ü Level 3 - Projection
o Displays
o Decision Support Tools
Interface
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
Enhancing SA
ü Level 1 - Perception
o Enhanced Perception Systems ( eg Enhanced Vision Systems)
o Alerting Systems
ü Level 2 - Comprehension
o SA Displays (eg Moving Map Displays, EGPWS)
ü Level 3 - Projection
o Displays
o Decision Support Tools
Interface
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
New Weather Datalink Products
ARNAV
Avidyne
Bendix/King FAA FISDL
Control Vision
Echo Flight
Garmin
UPS – AirCell
Vigyan
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Interface
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
References: Endsley, 1995; Pawlak, 1996; Reynolds et al., 2002
3 Projection
DECISION
3 - Projection 2 - Comprehension1- Perception
Weather State
Aircraft State
Interaction
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Weather
Phenomenology
Aircraft
Envelope
Future
Exposure
Weather
Forecast
Aircraft
Trajectory
PERFORMANCE
OF ACTIONS
Implement
Information
System
Aircraft Trajectory Control
Pilot
Monitoring
Evaluating
Planning
PLAN
Contingency Plans
Nominal Plan
Weather
Mental Model
Training
Experience
Procedures
Adjusting
Inform
ation
Information Request/Transmission
Aircraft
Situation
Dynamics
Interaction
Weather
PERCEP
TION
Model of Pilots’ Cognitive Constructs of
Information Processing
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Interface
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
Temporal Representation of
Pilots’ Functions
Aircraft
Situation
Dynamics
Interaction
Weather
Strategic
Tactical
Reactive
TEMPORAL
REGIMES OF
PLANNING
Execution
In-Flight
Planning
Pre-Flight
Planning
Weather
Information
min
hrs - mins
day - hrs
PILOTS’
FUNCTIONS
Aircraft
Information
Go/
No-Go
Aircraft Trajectory Control
Information
Information Request/Transmission
Interface
System
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Direct Observation
Time constants dependent on:
Temporal Regimes of Wx Predictability
Unce row orecas orizon
- Weather phenomena and phenomenology (e.g., convective weather, droplet size distribution, temperature)
- Phase of weather phenomena (e.g., storm initiation versus storm decay)
rtainty G th with F t H
Uncertainty
Persistence
?
?
Weather Forecast
Probabilistic
Deterministic
U(t)
Time of Forecast
Limit of Deterministic Weather Forecast
Issuance
Predictability Horizon
Interface
Temporal Regimes of Cognitive Projection
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Weather representation
Weather representation Weather
Uncertainty Growth with Horizon of Projection
based on observation over a
based on deterministic representation at
time period where conditions
forecast of “acceptable”
do not significantly change
accuracy
time in future beyond
“predictability limit”
Weather Projection
Uncertainty
?
?
Stochastic
Deterministic
Constant
U(t)
Reference Time of
Limit of Deterministic Horizon of Cognitive
Weather Mental Model
Projection Projection
Interface
Temporal Framework of Decision-Making
Representation of Cognitive Plan
System
Supervisory
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Display
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Direct Observation
Horizon of
Cognitive
Weather
Projection
Tactical
Planning
Dynamics
Reactive
Strategic
Stochastic
Deterministic
Constant
Pilots’ Planning Horizon
Time of Information
Production
Time
Time of
Planning
Interface
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Display
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Sensors
Direct Observation
Representation of Cognitive Plan
Examples
Horizon of
Tactical
+ 1 hr
+ 2 hr
Landing Before
+ 0 hr
Front
+30 min
+ 1 day
Reactive
Strategic
Stochastic
Deterministic
Constant
Pilots’ Planning Horizon
Cognitive
Weather
Projection
Time of Information
Production
Time
Initial Climb
Around Front
Front Passage
Convective
Microburst
Volcanic
Ash
Time of
Planning
Interface
Measurement of Situation
Awareness
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
ü Situation Awareness General Assessment Technique (SAGAT)
o Endsley
o Requires interruptions
o Invasive (queries may influence subsequent SA)
o Time issue
o Requires knowledge of required SA elements
u Goal Directed Task Analysis
ü Testable Response Approach
o Pritchett and Hansman
o Works for scenario based studies
o Requires scenarios where differential SA implies differential action
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Datalink Shared Information
Experiment (Traffic & Weather)
Simulator Data Simulator Data
via Internet via Internet
Data link
OFF
ON
ON
Data link
Weather Traffic
Simulation Host
Scenario Generation
Pseudo-Pilot Station
Secondary Traffic
Weather Data
TW443
220C
DL102
170C
NW589
335C
QF004
360C
SLB
Advanced Cockpit
OFF
Plan View Display
Simulator
Voice Communication Link
via Internet
Pilot Air Traffic Controller
Interface
From the Cockpit
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Display
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Sensors
Direct Observation
Data link OFF Data link ON
Interface
From the ATC Display
System
Supervisory
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Display
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Direct Observation
Data link OFF Data link ON
Interface
Pseudo-Pilot Station
System
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Direct Observation
Interface
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Example Scenario
ü 12-18 aircraft
ü Convective weather
ü Performed once without the
shared information
ü Repeated once with the shared
information
ü 6 subjects x 6 runs each = 36
runs total
ü ~10 minutes in duration
ü Averaged 80-90 voice
transmissions per run
ü Recorded data:
o Situation awareness data
o Aircraft trajectories
o Voice data
o Workload data
o Subjective ratings
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Results:
Situation Awareness
ü Controllers’ situation awareness with respect to weather improves
when weather information is shared
ü Pilots’ situation awareness with respect to traffic improves
when traffic information is shared
Weather Situation Awareness Traffic Situation Awareness
Data link OFF Data link ON Data link OFF Data link ON
Aware
100%
Aware
100%
Aware
Unaware
39%
61% Unaware
94% Aware
89% Aware
56% Aware
94% Aware
50% Aware
Ambiguous Not aware
Pilo
t
C
ontro
ller
Pilo
t
C
ontro
ller
Interface
Results: Controllers’
Weather Awareness
System
Supervisory
Control
Computer
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
Subject 1
Subject 3
Subject 5
Interface
Vertical
Separation
(ft)
System
Supervisory
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Computer
Display
Control
Sensors
Direct Observation
Results:
Separation Violations
ü 5 operational errors observed in 36 scenario runs
o All occurred in the non-datalinked configuration
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1 2
3
4
5
Vertical Separation (ft)
1
Conflict precipitated by a late
deviation around weather
2
Several aircraft diverting
through same hole in weather
3
A/C not handed off; conflict
occurred outside the sector
4
Pilot blundered
(turned in wrong direction)
5
Pilot blundered
0 1 2 3 4 5
Lateral Separation (nm)
(wrong A/P mode for descent)
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s1
Results:
Separation Violations
: total separation < 100 feet