CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Alarm Actuation Rate - Part 2
• Mapping Data, Information, and Decisions to Displays
• Event Prediction and Mitigation (Early Event Detection)
• Knowledge Management
• Data Mining of Near Miss Incidents

PENDING RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Human Factors Performance Metrics
• Trust of Automation

COMPLETED RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Alarm Actuation Rate - Part I
• Color Usage in Graphic Displays for Process Control
• Effective Simulator Usage
• DMX Train the Trainer Video
• Effectiveness of Scenario-Based Training
• Nature of expertise in control of continuous processes

RESEARCH PROJECTS UNDER CONSIDERATION

Performance Metrics

• Can differences in operator skills be quantified?
• Do operator skills degrade with advanced control?

Operator Interface

• When should trend data be used over digital values?
• How realistic do graphic symbols need to be? (pending)
• How dense should graphic displays be? How should it be measured? What if the alternative is to split the information over multiple screens?
• Are “system” or “common trouble” alarms a good idea?
• How do windows and screen size impact display design?

Education & Training

• Development of decision making exercise library (in progress)
• Can low-cost training methods improve operator performance/expertise
• Can operators be trained to better recognize hazardous situations?
• How much (quantified) improvement does a dynamic simulator make in operator performance?
• How does qualifying for several jobs impact skill level? How often is refresher needed?

Job Aides

• How can the use of PDAs improve field operator performance?
• Does procedure use improve performance? How does that vary with content and format?

Job Design

• When is job rotation beneficial? When is it detrimental?
• Do prolonged, continuous days at work degrade performance (fatigue)?
• Does allowing “alertness recovery” enhance alertness? Are there alternate methods?
• Is there a better way to design operating consoles?