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Pilot performance and preference for short cycles of automation in adaptive function allocation
S F Scallen1, P A Hancock, J A Duley
1Human Factors Research Laboratory, University of Minnesota, 1901 Fourth St S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Applied Ergonomics
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Rapid automation cycling in pilots disrupts performance, especially with shorter cycles. While tracking performance degrades with difficulty and longer automation durations, other tasks are less affected. Shorter automation cycles are generally better for multi-tasking pilots.
Area of Science:
- Human Factors
- Cognitive Psychology
- Aviation Psychology
Background:
- Automation plays a crucial role in modern aviation.
- Understanding pilot interaction with rapidly cycling automation is vital for flight safety.
- Previous research has not fully explored the impact of automation cycle duration on multi-task performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how pilots respond to the rapid cycling of automation in a multi-task simulation.
- To determine the effects of automation cycle duration and task difficulty on pilot performance, fatigue, and workload.
- To identify trade-offs between different sub-tasks under varying automation conditions.
Main Methods:
- A multi-task simulation environment with tracking, fuel management, and system monitoring sub-tasks.
- Tracking sub-task automated control cycled at 15, 30, or 60-second intervals, crossed with three difficulty levels.
- Performance, fatigue, and workload were measured across nine within-subject conditions.
Main Results:
- Tracking performance degraded with increased task difficulty and longer automation cycle times.
- Fuel management and system monitoring performance were initially unaffected by automation difficulty or duration.
- Analysis of a 15-second window post-automation showed tracking performance was unaffected by cycle duration, and fuel management improved with lower difficulty.
Conclusions:
- Excessively short automation cycles can be disruptive in multi-task environments.
- Micro trade-offs exist within sub-tasks, and macro trade-offs occur between sub-tasks.
- Automation design must consider cycle duration and task complexity to optimize pilot performance and safety.