Human Factors Research and System Applications
Center of Innovation
View PDF (PDF, 694 KB) (Posted 1/27/09)
Director: Dr. Stephen M. Popkin (Posted 3/4/09)
Trends and Issues
Human error stands as the largest single cause of transportation accidents, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of the total. This number is likely to increase as systems become more complex and interactive with their human operators. The difficulty lies in understanding whether the error occurred as a result of operator error, improper policy, poor engineering, or more likely a combination of the three. Truly the greatest challenge to transportation is properly designing technology and procedures for human use. Research is now underway that will benefit all transportation modes. Looking to the future, new research is required for understanding human-machine interactions.
COI Profile
The Human Factors Research and System Applications COI provides internationally recognized human factors research and development capabilities supporting all modes of transportation and other COIs within the Volpe Center. Pioneers new relationships between humans and current automation technologies, thus improving transportation safety, security and productivity, with due concern for unintended consequences.
Project Snapshots
• Provides research and analysis in flight simulation, runway safety, and flight deck technologies in support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Works in support of human performance and human-system performance requirements associated with transitioning from 2015 to 2025 Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) capabilities. Projects include:
- Effect of pilot training on transfer of the skills between a flight simulator and airplane.
- Scientific guidance to entities developing requirements, design, and certification of flight simulators.
- FAA's runway safety database and analyses to address specific operational issues.
- Runway Incursion Severity Classification (RISC) model that categorizes the outcome severity of runway incursions.
- Metrics for runway incursions and losses of standard separation in the air.
- Awareness of human factors issues in certifying new aircraft and in equipment design and modification.
- Certification and use of automation-based technologies, tools, and support systems.
- Risk factors in automation-related operator errors.
- Human performance information for use in designing and operating aircraft and aircraft systems.
• Provides human factors services to support safe and productive railroad operations, including: assessment of railroad system performance; investigation of human performance in accidents in railroad operations; and identification of methods for reducing accidents and improving working conditions for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Develops tools and methods to proactively manage risk, including:
- Confidential reporting systems to identify safety concerns before they cause harm.
- Human-systems integration to design and evaluate railroad systems.
- Organizational interventions.
- Design and evaluation of grade crossing warning devices.
- Design of locomotive cabs and blue signal warnings.
- Computer and communications technology in the use of train control systems.
- Fatigue management in scheduling railroad operations and managing locomotive crews.
- International standards for shock and vibration in locomotives.
• Develops tools and methods to improve the safety of vehicle operators as well as passengers and other road users in support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Some projects include:
- User acceptance of vehicle-based systems that tailor warnings to driver workload and distraction.
- Usability of vehicle-based warning technologies.
- Improving the emergency evacuation of motor coaches.
- Reducing alcohol impaired driving and associated crashes.
- Simulator testing of vehicle-based alcohol counter-measures.
- Maintaining pedestrian safety with an increasing number of quieter vehicles, such as hybrids.
For more information
Name: Dr. Stephen M. Popkin
Director, Center of Innovation for Human Factors Research and System Applications
Email: stephen.popkin@dot.gov
Phone number: 617-494-3532
