Designing micro-worlds of transportation systems: the computer-aided bridge operation task

摘要

This paper presents a case study of the design of a micro-world for a transportation system. It outlines the characteristics of this domain and draws comparisons with other micro-world application areas. Using a theoretical framework for micro-world design, it demonstrates how the use of theory helps in the design process. A detailed technical description is given of the micro-world CABOT (Computer-Aided Bridge Operation Task), which simulates the work environment of a watchkeeper on a highly-automated ship's bridge. This provides a general indication of the kind of experimental scenarios that can be modelled with CABOT. Illustrations arc given of how CABOT has been employed in research. The paper ends with a discussion of methodological issues and presents directions for future research.