Abstract
The purpose of this paper is threefold. Initially, we take the liberty of introducing the subject of workload: what it means and why we as engineers and behavioral scientists are interested in it. We assume that practically all engineers involved in the design of new weapon systems are, by now, at least aware of the importance of operator workload (OWL). Indeed, the widely endorsed, yet poorly addressed, initiative to reduce operator workload is partly responsible for the seemingly mad rush to provide ever greater levels of automation in the cockpit, at the helm, or at the workstation. Those of us who practice the Human Factors Engineering profession realize the folly of providing automation simply because it is technologically feasible .. but that philosophical argument must remain the subject for another day. In any event, a brief discussion of workload is necessary to set the stage. The second purpose of this paper is to identify specific workload prediction and assessment models which we have reviewed in our research program, and present summary opinions as to the utility of these techniques. Lastly, we will suggest some top level. questions, strategies, and issues which we all must confront when the time comes to actually select and apply a technique.
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Linton, P.M., Plamondon, B.D., Dick, A.O., Bittner, A.C., Christ, R.E. (1989). Operator Workload for Military System Acquisition. In: McMillan, G.R., Beevis, D., Salas, E., Strub, M.H., Sutton, R., Van Breda, L. (eds) Applications of Human Performance Models to System Design. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9244-7_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9244-7_3
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