Obsolete Maps and Coastal Management: Case Studies from Northwest Ireland

On dynamic coastal sites, subject to rapid and sometimes unpredictable shoreline changes, management problems can be aggravated if legally authoritative maps are obsolete. These difficulties are illustrated by two case studies from County Donegal in northwest Ireland. The first case study outlines the problems that arise where statutory functional area boundaries are based on a near century-old map. The second case study deals with the problems of planning development on a site where a customized map only a few years old has been rendered obsolete by rapid coastal erosion. Other problems are caused by the inappropriate use of maps. Suggestions are made to mitigate the effects of outdated maps.     

A Human–Automation Interface Model to Guide Automation Design of System Functions

A major component of the US Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) will be a fleet of eight different manned ground vehicles (MGV). There are promises that "advanced automation" will accomplish many of the tasks formerly performed by soldiers in legacy vehicle systems. However, the current approach to automation design does not relieve the soldier operator of tasks; rather, it changes the role of the soldiers and the work they must do, often in ways unintended and unanticipated. This paper proposes a coherent, top-down, overarching approach to the design of a human–automation interaction model. First, a qualitative model is proposed to drive the functional architecture and human–automation interface scheme for the MGV fleet. Second, the proposed model is applied to a portion of the functional flow of the common crew station on the MGV fleet. Finally, the proposed model is demonstrated quantitatively via a computational task-network modeling program (Improved Performance Research and Integration Tool). The modeling approach offers insights into the impacts on human task-loading, workload, and human performance. Implications for human systems integration domains are discussed, including Manpower and Personnel, Human Factors Engineering, Training, System Safety, and Soldier Survivability. The proposed model gives engineers and scientists a top-down approach to explicitly define and design the interactions between proposed automation schemes and the human crew. Although this paper focuses on the Army's FCS MGV fleet, the model and analytical processes proposed, or similar approaches, are appropriate for many manned systems in multiple domains (aviation, space, maritime, ground transportation, manufacturing, etc.).     

The High-Speed Navy: Vessel Motion Influences on Human Performance

This paper presents the recent results from an ongoing analysis of the effects of high-speed naval operations on the performance, comfort, and safety of crew and passengers. A 127-m trimaran, the Benchijigua Express, which is similar in hull design to the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) vessel, was investigated for motion-induced interruptions, motion sickness, and biodynamic feed-through to manual tasks. Data were obtained on two 2-hour transits per day for a total of 86 transits during February and March 2006. Survey questionnaires were obtained from nearly 2,000 passengers. The motion effects on manual dexterity were negligible, but motion sickness symptoms were reported by a majority of the passengers. The capability to manage the motion sickness issue for unadapted passengers may be important for the effective use of LCS to transport ground combatants and for Sea Basing concepts.     

Sensitivity Analysis of the Shipboard Integrated Power System

Stochastic sensitivity analysis is a valuable tool in ranking inputs and in investigating the degree of interaction of its components. In this paper, we present stochastic simulation results for a shipboard integrated power system and study its sensitivity. Specifically, we apply sensitivity analysis to two high-fidelity models of shipboard subsystems, investigating open- and closed-loop control of the propulsion system. The results show that different inputs are most important for the open- and closed-loop control, with sensitivities that change dramatically in time as they reflect the transition from the fast electrical scales to slower mechanical scales. We also demonstrate how sensitivity analysis can be used to establish the robustness of the AC drive.     

Integrating Naval Aviation Maintenance Training with Sailors' Proficiency Qualification and Its Correlation with Improved Weapon System Readiness

A core role for human systems integration is providing support of weapon systems operational effectiveness with optimal human performance (HP). When applied to the readiness of an aviation squadron, this focus on enhanced operational HP translates into ensuring that highly trained and proficient maintenance technicians are resident in these warfighting units. A key objective of the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Total Force Readiness program is to bridge Core Capabilities to Missions. This is accomplished through the linking of Navy Mission Essential Task Lists (NMETLs) to Skill Sets and Performance Standards for its future workforce. These goals can be accomplished from Initial Development to Deployment of a weapons system through its operational and support phases of the Department of Defense acquisition process using a mission/task-centric approach to Manpower, Personnel, and Training (MPT) requirements, with NMETLs as the operational thread. This paper will describe a life-cycle MPT analytic environment with its task-level links to systems and human engineering disciplines. A systematic approach to accessing and training a proficient maintenance workforce is presented, focusing on task-based maintenance training solutions for optimal unit readiness and mission capabilities. An innovative analytic framework from various skills-based manpower analysis studies will be cited as a means to transform system and unit MPT performance for Total Force Readiness. Enhanced by a Qualified and Proficient Technician methodology, a capability (missions) and competency (proficient) future workforce with skills-efficient maintainers will be best suited to achieving optimal readiness of weapons systems within the NAE.     

Intelligent Tools Used in the Design of Navy Ships

The first step in implementing an intelligent ship is designing the ship intelligently. Naval ship design is becoming an interactive process where designers on different sites can work collaboratively and simultaneously, connected through virtual design environments. In this paper we introduce two such design environments. The first is an immersive, virtual reality environment enabling rapid design of ship space arrangements, exploration of Human System Integration issues, and reduced cost of test and evaluation through the use of modeling and simulation. The second is a systems engineering application capable of evaluating the benefit of spiral technology insertions, identifying areas for research and development investment, and evaluating the performance, risk, and affordability of proposed technologies in current and future ship systems, by conducting trade space analysis and optimization. Applications of these tools will be discussed.     

Man and his transport behaviour. Part 2c Planning as a substitute for implementation: a bicycle case study

Abstract

Researchers, planners and politicians alike have emphasized the need for systematic planning prior to the introduction of new transportation measures and schemes. Innovations ranging from the construction of new freeways to the encouragement of mode shift are therefore usually the result of detailed studies and extensive planning.

With unsettling frequency, however, the planning has come to replace implementation. The governing body identifies a problem area and commissions either a government planning department or a consultant to develop a plan which outlines needs and proposes measures which address the problem. The problem usually has two groups of people anxious to solve it; individuals who are being affected in their day‐to‐day living or travel, and longer‐term planners (usually politicians) who see it in terms of both extended community planning and votes.

The plan satisfies both sides temporarily, but becomes an effective planning tool only if implemented. Unrealistic plans and unwilling implementors have left a trail of plans which have been ends in themselves. Examples from bicycle planning in Australia show how the use of plan formulation can be either an essential element leading to the implementation of a planning scheme, or an expensive substitute for positive action.

A feature of plans which have been implemented is an integrated approach which makes extensive use of data collection to ascertain the needs of the population. A feature of the unimplemented plans is their concentration on the feasibility of introducing physical elements into the transport infrastructure without studying the travel demand.

It is concluded that the greater the concentration on individual needs and constraints, the less likely that planning will come to replace the implementation of a scheme.