Driver Attention in Automatic Transmission Cars

The first step is to select an interface on which to focus. Please select an interface that requires significant interaction by a human and which has human factors limitations that need to be addressed. Selecting an interface at the right "level" is vital. An airplane cockpit is too complex, whereas a single control is too simple. Interfaces such as those associated with onboard vehicle systems or smartphone apps are probably of adequate scope.

Once the interface has been selected, you will perform the activities necessary to develop a paper in the APA style format.

The required paper sections are detailed below. I have included approximate page numbers, per section, as a guideline.

Length: The paper should be no more than 10 pages, double-spaced. 

Required Paper Sections:

Introduction (1/2-1 page): Introduce the material to be covered in the paper. (Consider writing this section and the conclusion after the other sections have been developed as they should reflect what will be covered in the paper).

Background (2-3 pages): Describe the selected interface, including the following:

1. Describe the performance goals, components, inputs, and outputs (focus on the human interaction)

2. Develop a system diagram that illustrates components, inputs, outputs. Feel free also to include system photos.

3. Select a use case task involving interaction with the interface; describe the system interaction (including task goals, information processing requirements, and interaction requirements)

Problem Space (2-3 pages): Define the problem space by describing the human factors issues/problems associated with the interface. This should be a detailed discussion that leverages human factors concepts and methods presented in class. The discussion should present the problems and discuss why they are problems, including several citations from academic publications that have shown that the issues lead to problems (e.g., performance problems, errors, etc.). Consider the following topics and whether or not the design supports these principles/types of performance (pick those most relevant; it is not necessary to address all items).

Minimum of 1-2 problems with 2-3 citations per problem; a minimum of 5 references total in this section)

Feel free to address topics not included on the below list.

1. Three HSI design principles

2. Stress, Workload

3. Concurrent Task Performance/Multitasking and Multiple Resource Theory

4. Team Performance Competencies (e.g., Mutual Performance Monitoring, Backup Behavior, Closed Loop Communications, etc.

5. Potential for errors (slip, lapse, mistake, Human-Factors categories)

6. Clutter, Extensive Menu Navigation

7. Sensory/Attentional/Cognitive/Memory Overload

8. Vigilance Decrement

9. Limited Situation Awareness

10. Mode Awareness/Errors

11. Missed signals/False Alarms

12. Cognitive Tunneling

13. Disorientation

14. Observability/directability

15. Reliance and trust

Solution (2-3 pages): Develop redesign recommendations and mitigation strategies for addressing the above-identified issues. Where possible, aim for the gold standard in which you recommend issues being designed out. Specifically describe how the issues can be designed out. Also consider recommending specific mitigation strategies related to implementing procedural controls and training. DO NOT just recommend "training" or "a procedure." Detail specifically what should be included in the procedure or training and how it should be implemented. 

Potential Impact (1-2 pages): Present a discussion of the potential performance improvements and error reductions associated with implementing recommendations. Provide theoretical or empirical support for these potential impacts, including citations from academic publications which found that similar methods led to desired effects). Also present a discussion of the feasibility of implementing the recommendations such as budget and schedule impacts. 

Minimum requirement of 1-2 per recommendation, with a minimum of 3 citations total for this section

Evaluation (1-2 pages): Develop a high-level plan for assessing the potential impacts of the recommendations if implemented. Include Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs) and high-level procedures for the conditions under which these measures could be obtained.

Conclusion (1/2-1 page): Conclude the paper