The operational validation of new cockpit technologies supporting all conditions operations: a case study

摘要

This paper presents a case study pertaining to human factors/human-machine interaction (HMI) research undertaken over a four-year period, as part of a large Framework Seven project funded by the European Commission. Specifically, it reports on research concerning the operational validation of future cockpit concepts supporting all conditions operations. Primarily, it focuses on the innovation in the methodological approach adopted (and the theory underpinning this) and the key results. In so doing, this paper illustrates the requirement for HMI research to go beyond issues of task and user interface design, so as to properly address issues of operability. It is argued that the typical remit of operational assessment (i.e. the assessment of task workflows, workload and operator situation awareness) must be supplemented by a broader analysis of 'operational' issues related to the design of operational processes/procedures, teamwork, system information flow, process benefits and implementation barriers. This is enabled by the adoption of a stakeholder/participatory approach to evaluation and the application of both formal and informal HMI design/evaluation methods.