You say it is physical, I say it is functional; let us call the whole thing off! Simulation: an application divided by lack of common language

Neuromodulation on the ground and in the clouds: a mini review of transcranial direct current stimulation for altering performance in interactive driving and flight simulators

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a promising tool for cognitive enhancement, especially within simulated virtual environments that provide realistic yet controlled methods for studying human behavior. This mini review synthesizes current research on the application of tDCS to improve performance in interactive driving and flight simulators. The existing literature indicates that tDCS can enhance acute performance for specific tasks, such as maintaining a safe distance from another car or executing a successful plane landing. However, the effects of tDCS may be context-dependent, indicating a need for a broader range of simulated scenarios. Various factors, including participant expertise, task difficulty, and the targeted brain region, can also influence tDCS outcomes. To further strengthen the rigor of this research area, it is essential to address and minimize different forms of research bias to achieve true generalizability. This comprehensive analysis aims to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application of neurotechnology to study the relationship between the brain and behavior, ultimately providing insights into the effectiveness of tDCS in transportation settings.

The effect of information integration on team communication in a simulated submarine control room task

Submarine control rooms are characterised by dedicated individual roles for information types (e.g. Sonar operator processes sound energy), with individuals verbally reporting the information that they receive to other team members to help resolve uncertainty in the operational environment (low information integration). We compared this work design with one that ensured critical information was more readily available to all team members (high information integration). We used the Event Analysis of Systemic Teamwork (EAST) method to analyse task, information, and social networks for novice teams operating within a simulated submarine control room under low versus high information integration. Integration impacted team member centrality (importance relative to other operators) and the nature of information shared. Team members with greater centrality reported higher workload. Higher integration across consoles altered how team members interacted and their relative status, the information shared, and how workload was distributed. However, overall network structures remained intact.

A systematic review of camera monitor system display layout designs: Integration of existing knowledge

Despite the growing interest in mirrorless vehicles equipped with a camera monitor system (CMS), the human factors research findings on CMS display layout design have not been synthesized yet, hindering the application of the knowledge and the identification of future research directions. In an effort to address the 'lack of integration of the existing knowledge', this literature review addresses the following research questions: 1) what CMS display layout designs have been considered/developed by academic researchers and by automakers, respectively?; 2) among possible CMS display layout design alternatives, which ones have not yet been examined through human factors evaluation studies?; and 3) how do the existing human factors studies on the evaluation of different CMS display layout designs vary in the specifics of research? This review provides significant implications for the ergonomic design of CMS display layouts, including some potential design opportunities and future research directions.

The Effect of Simulation Fidelity on Transfer of Training for Troubleshooting Professionals: A Meta-Analysis

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSPeople in many occupations that involve using complex tools need to know how to troubleshoot those tools in real time and with minimum cost. Training troubleshooting professionals is thus a concern for various occupational sectors-particularly the military, aviation, power plant, and in industrial processes-and large investments have been made to create and use simulators that train troubleshooting skills. In the design and evaluation of simulators for troubleshooting, this review shows that no single level of simulation realism-or fidelity-works best in training, and that the effect of fidelity depends on trainees' prior skill level and the type of troubleshooting system (electronic or mechanical).

State of science: models and methods for understanding and enhancing teams and teamwork in complex sociotechnical systems

This state of the science review brings together the disparate literature of effective strategies for enhancing and accelerating team performance. The review evaluates and synthesises models and proposes recommended avenues for future research. The two major models of the Input-Mediator-Output-Input (IMOI) framework and the Big Five dimensions of teamwork were reviewed and both will need significant development for application to future teams comprising non-human agents. Research suggests that a multi-method approach is appropriate for team measurements, such as the integration of methods from self-report, observer ratings, event-based measurement and automated recordings. Simulations are recommended as the most effective team-based training interventions. The impact of new technology and autonomous agents is discussed with respect to the changing nature of teamwork. In particular, whether existing teamwork models and measures are suitable to support the design, operation and evaluation of human-nonhuman teams of the future. Practitioner summary: This review recommends a multi-method approach to the measurement and evaluation of teamwork. Team models will need to be adapted to describe interaction with non-human agents, which is what the future is most likely to hold. The most effective team training interventions use simulation-based approaches.

It's a circular argument: Examining how a novel configuration impacts information flow in submarine control rooms

The continuing advancement of technology means that sociotechnical systems are primed for revolutionary changes to ways of working that can increase capability. It is critical to consider the unintended impact technology can have on human operators particularly regarding information flow and interactions within teams. Previous research revealed that the co-location of operator's dependent on each other for task relevant information can optimise information flow previously constrained by engineering considerations. The current work compared a novel circular configuration to that of a contemporary submarine control room. In the circular configuration, consoles faced inwards, permitting eye contact between operators, and three large screen displays were introduced to provide all operators with the same information. Ten teams participated in low and high demand dived tracking scenarios in a simulated submarine control room. All communications between operators were recorded in order to generate social, information, and task networks. These were statistically compared to networks generated from a baseline study of contemporary operation. Overall, the volume of verbal communications significantly reduced, information exchange was more structured, and the volume of tasks completed by operators significantly increased when operating in an inward facing circle configuration. The current work provides support for a data driven evidence-based approach to design that is information centric but endorsed by the end user to optimise performance and increase productivity. Implications of the work and future research ideas are discussed.

To utilize automation or not to utilize automation, that is the question: An evaluation of how drills and procedures impact optronics mast usage from a sociotechnical systems perspective

The delegation of tasks to a non-human agent in a sociotechnical system can extend human capabilities and performance. Effective performance is, however, reliant on a successful relationship between human operators and automation. Optronics is a partially automated system which has replaced periscope on board some modern submarine platforms, operating modes permit the completion of tasks either manually or utilizing automation. A reluctance to utilize automated functionality within the optronics system has been due to operator familiarity with legacy manual procedures based upon the use of a physical periscope. This highlights the gap that is prevalent between innovation, design, training and governance of automation utilization. The current work examined current (Control group) utilization of optronics technology using an expert population in a high fidelity simulator. Findings were utilized to guide the development of novel optronics specific standard operating procedures (Intervention group). Results indicate that automaton disuse was greatly reduced, which had had a positive overall impact on overall system performance with regard to productivity and accuracy. The current work highlights the importance of incorporating governance of use and training as part of an automation design and implementation program is critical to help 'maximize what you have'.