Synergy between visual and auditory signals and its influence on the follow-up regulation quality.

The study aimed at verifying a hypothesis that supporting a visual signal of regulation deviation with an auditory one could improve the quality of regulation; the operator would have better information on machine operation. A special simulator was applied to follow-up tracking with a manual lever which controlled vertical movements of a cursor on a monitor screen. Simultaneously with visual information on screen, the operator was provided with an auditory deviation signal of pre-determined characteristics. 33 young males underwent the test. It was found that supporting a visual signal with an auditory one resulted in an improvement in the regulation quality by 5-6%, which proved synergy between those signals. The results may be used in designing tele- and servo-mechanisms, especially for remote control machinery, e.g., inspection robots or micromanipulators controlled by operators in a follow-up system.     

Perceptions of implied hazard for visual and auditory alerting signals

Visual and auditory alerts are increasingly important and have many applications, particularly in the presentation of hazard information in transportation and many industrial systems. This paper is concerned with the factors that govern the relative effectiveness of alerting signals involving various combinations of visual and auditory signals. The visual variables were colour, flash rate, and flash mode, combined with or without an auditory alarm. It was found that the subjects associated different levels of hazard with different alerting light colours, flash rates, flashing modes, and with combinations of auditory and visual alerts. A red flashing light was perceived as the most effective hazard warning colour, with yellow and blue warning lights indicative of less hazardous situations. The faster the flash rate, the greater is the hazard perceived. A flash rate of 60 fpm (flashes per minute) was not as effective as the rates of 180 and 240 fpm, and 240 fpm was the most effective. This implies that hazard warning signal should flash at well above 60 fpm. Having a breakup in the flashing pattern so as to provide a double or triple flash mode also increases the effectiveness of the signal. There were significant interactions between the alert variables used. The difference in perceived hazard levels for the colours blue and yellow were statistically non significant, but blue was more effective in conveying hazard message than yellow at the high flash rates. When accompanied with auditory alarms, blue and yellow were perceived to convey the same perception level of hazard as red without auditory alarms. The effect of colour on perceived hazard was also found to vary with flash mode. As compared to either visual signal alone or a visual signal with other types of acoustic alarms, a siren type of auditory alarm was found more effective for eliciting perception of hazards. There was evidence that presenting alerting signal in triple-flash mode and at high flash rate could be annoying and might not help improving hazard awareness.     

Transit bus operator performance and attitudes toward a collision warning system: results of a simulator experiment

OBJECTIVE: This article discusses the results of a simulator experiment to examine the efficacy of a collision warning system for transit bus operators. METHODS: Bus operators from a major metropolitan transit agency were assigned to one of three conditions: a collision warning system with a visual-only driver-vehicle interface, a collision warning system with a visual and auditory driver-vehicle interface, or no collision warning system (baseline). Operators were exposed to a critical event at the end of the simulation, in which a vehicle suddenly stopped in front of the bus while the operator was distracted by an in-vehicle task. Upon completing the experiment, operators who used the collision warning system were asked about their experience using the system, as well as whether or not they would like such a system in real life. RESULTS: Experimental results revealed new information about transit bus operator performance, but indicated no statistically significant differences among the three conditions. Subjective data indicated that operators had a positive attitude toward collision warning system usage. Operators generally liked the collision warning system and felt that a system such as the one used in the experiment would help them in avoiding crashes in the real world. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a collision warning system for transit bus operators is feasible from the perspective of user acceptance. However, several technical areas still need to be resolved.     

基于组合赋权法的空管监视信息质量评估

为准确评估监视信息质量,给空中交通管制(ATC)提供决策依据,预防事故的发生,从目标航迹完整性、精确性、正确性等3个方面出发,构建由跟踪完整性、参数完整性、位置精度、速度精度、航向精度、参数正确性和目标真伪值等7个指标构成的监视信息质量评估体系;以总偏差最小为目的 将可拓层次分析法(EAHP)和熵权法有效结合确定指标权...     

Validation of auditory detection response task method for assessing the attentional effects of cognitive load

Objectives: There are 3 standardized versions of the Detection Response Task (DRT), 2 using visual stimuli (remote DRT and head-mounted DRT) and one using tactile stimuli. In this article, we present a study that proposes and validates a type of auditory signal to be used as DRT stimulus and evaluate the proposed auditory version of this method by comparing it with the standardized visual and tactile version.

Methods: This was a within-subject design study performed in a driving simulator with 24 participants. Each participant performed 8 2-min-long driving sessions in which they had to perform 3 different tasks: driving, answering to DRT stimuli, and performing a cognitive task (n-back task). Presence of additional cognitive load and type of DRT stimuli were defined as independent variables. DRT response times and hit rates, n-back task performance, and pupil size were observed as dependent variables.

Results: Significant changes in pupil size for trials with a cognitive task compared to trials without showed that cognitive load was induced properly. Each DRT version showed a significant increase in response times and a decrease in hit rates for trials with a secondary cognitive task compared to trials without. Similar and significantly better results in differences in response times and hit rates were obtained for the auditory and tactile version compared to the visual version. There were no significant differences in performance rate between the trials without DRT stimuli compared to trials with and among the trials with different DRT stimuli modalities.

Conclusions: The results from this study show that the auditory DRT version, using the signal implementation suggested in this article, is sensitive to the effects of cognitive load on driver's attention and is significantly better than the remote visual and tactile version for auditory–vocal cognitive (n-back) secondary tasks.     

Improving the effectiveness of warnings by increasing the appropriateness of their information content: some hypotheses about human compliance

The ways that warnings are administered vary greatly. A warning may come as a message broadcast on the radio about severe weather, as a flashing light in the cockpit of an airplane, or as an audible smoke alarm. Typically, warnings provide an auditory or visual signal to assist in the detection of an anticipated stimulus. However, warnings tend to operate in an all or none mode: either the warning is present, or it is not. Consequently, the information they provide is limited. If warnings are provided too often, their information content becomes even lower and frequent false alarms render them ineffective because of the “cry-wolf” effect. On the other hand, if warnings are not administered frequently enough, they result in too many potentially costly misses. In this conceptual paper, it is argued that the effectiveness of warnings might be significantly improved if warnings are made more “intelligent” by providing information about the likelihood of the occurrence of the stimulus. Several representative cases are discussed and analyzed in order to demonstrate the advantages of the proposed methods.     

On the selection of stimulus for the auditory variant of the detection response task method for driving experiments

Objectives: The detection response task (DRT) is a method for measuring attentional effects of secondary tasks on a driver's cognitive load by measuring response times and hit rates to different types of stimuli as indirect indicators of increased cognitive load. ISO 17488 (International Organization for Standardization 2016) only provides guidelines for the technical implementation and measurement methods for the visual and tactile versions (use of visual and tactile stimuli) of the DRT method. This article presents a study with the goal of finding the most appropriate auditory stimulus for the implementation of an auditory version of the DRT method.

Methods: This article presents the results of an experiment in which responses to 7 different auditory DRT stimuli—varying in frequency—were compared while inducing users' cognitive load with a modified n-back task. The experiment was conducted in a surrogate driving environment and in a within-subject design. Response times, hit rates, and secondary task performances were observed as indicators of increased cognitive load.

Results: Significantly shorter response times were found for the white noise signal compared to single-frequency signals. However, the largest differences in response times, for trials without and with a cognitive task, were found for 4- and 8-kHz single-frequency signals. No significant differences were found for hit rates and secondary task performances between the different stimuli.

Conclusions: Consistent significant differences in response times for all tested stimuli prove that the auditory DRT variant is also sensitive to changes in cognitive load. The mean increase in response times of more than 25% for 4- and 8-kHz signals for trials with a cognitive task compared to trials without one indicates that one of these signals could be used as a potential auditory stimulus for the auditory DRT variant.     

Luminance of the Surround and Visual Fatigue of VDT Operators

Luminance distribution in the visual field is considered as one of causal factors with a significant influence on visual fatigue, especially for intensive and extended Video Display Terminal (VDT) work. The aim of the study was to define visual fatigue of VDT operators for different values of surrounding luminance. Experiments were carried out in laboratory conditions under 3 lighting conditions. Only 1 lighting parameter—the luminance of the wall behind the display (surrounding luminance)—changed. Visual fatigue was measured both by a subjective evaluation of different visual complaints (asthenopic symptoms) and by objective measurements of changes in the following visual functions: accommodation, convergence, habitual horizontal phoria, critical fusional frequency (CFF), and visual acuity. The same experiments were done for CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and LCD TFT (Liquid Crystal Display with Thin Film Transistor) screens. The results of the study have shown that there was no significant influence of the value of surrounding luminance on the asthenopic symptoms for either type of screen. A general tendency towards bigger visual complaints for LCD TFT than for CRT participants was found. An objective evaluation of visual fatigue demonstrated a tendency towards bigger changes in visual functions with an increase of surrounding luminance for both screens. Statistical analysis of the results has shown that surrounding luminance influences significantly the reduction of the accommodation amplitude (significance level < .05).     

基于无线传感器网络的市政下水道可燃气体监测系统设计及应用

为防止下水道可燃气体积聚引发爆炸事故,利用无线传感器网络技术设计了市政下水道可燃气体监测系统.实测结果表明:气体传感器监测数据相对误差在2.0%以内,无线数据收发设备的年发送成功率达到98.0%,满足工程运用需求,系统具有较高的可靠性和稳定性.结合无线网络覆盖范围广、实时在线的特点,该系统实现了对不同区域下水道内可燃气体浓度的远程监测,为下水道的安全预警提供了有效依据.     

软岩大变形巷道支护技术及应用

针对三门峡铝土矿软岩巷道大变形难支护的问题,综合现场工程地质调查、软岩水理作用测试、现场测试等手段和方法,对该地区巷道破坏模式和失稳机理进行详细分析,提出了锚喷-砌碹相结合的互补支护技术。按照互补支护参数建立数值模型并进行稳定性分析,数值计算结果表明在此支护方式下巷道各部位围岩收敛变形控制良好,且支护后围岩安全系数较之前明显提高。将新支护方案进行工程试验,巷道变形监测数据表明,支护后的巷道变形得到了良好的控制,混凝土喷层未出现裂缝,围岩变形速度迅速减小;锚喷10天后围岩变形基本稳定,此时进行二次砌碹支护效果最好,可以保证巷道的长期稳定。     

Pedestrian distraction: The effects of road environment complexity and age on pedestrian’s visual attention and crossing behavior

Introduction: Little is known about how characteristics of the environment affect pedestrians’ road crossing behavior. Method: In this work, the effect of typical urban visual clutter created by objects and elements in the road proximity (e.g., billboards) on adults and children (aged 9–13) road crossing behavior was examined in a controlled laboratory environment, utilizing virtual reality scenarios projected on a large dome screen. Results: Divided into three levels of visual load, results showed that high visual load affected children’s and adults’ road crossing behavior and visual attention. The main effect on participants’ crossing decisions was seen in missed crossing opportunities. Children and adults missed more opportunities to cross the road when exposed to more cluttered road environments. An interaction with age was found in the dispersion of the visual attention measure. Children, 9–10 and 11–13 years old, had a wider spread of gazes across the scene when the environment was highly loaded—an effect not seen with adults. However, unexpectedly, no other indication of the deterring effect was found in the current study. Still, according to the results, it is reasonable to assume that busier road environments can be more hazardous to adult and child pedestrians. Practical Applications: In that context, it is important to further investigate the possible distracting effect of causal objects in the road environment on pedestrians, and especially children. This knowledge can help to create better safety guideline for children and assist urban planners in creating safer urban environments.     

Effects of multitasking on operator performance using computational and auditory tasks

This study investigated the effects of multiple cognitive tasks on human performance. Twenty-four students at North Carolina A&;T State University participated in the study. The primary task was auditory signal change perception and the secondary task was a computational task. Results showed that participants' performance in a single task was statistically significantly different from their performance in combined tasks: (a) algebra problems (algebra problem primary and auditory perception secondary); (b) auditory perception tasks (auditory perception primary and algebra problems secondary); and (c) mean false-alarm score in auditory perception (auditory detection primary and algebra problems secondary). Using signal detection theory (SDT), participants' performance measured in terms of sensitivity was calculated as ?0.54 for combined tasks (algebra problems the primary task) and ?0.53 auditory perceptions the primary task. During auditory perception tasks alone, SDT was found to be 2.51. Performance was 83% in a single task compared to 17% when combined tasks.     

建筑施工现场安全信息定置管理技术研究

建筑施工现场是一个动态的、复杂的的场所,是人流、物流、信息流交汇的地点,管理难度大,发生意外安全事件和安全事故多。为了解决这个难题,本文针对目前建筑工程施工现场的特点,提出了用安全信息定置管理技术来解决建筑施工安全难题的方法。通过现场直观、形象、通俗易懂的看板和现场的安全信息,使现场操作人员通过视觉很容易地从管理看板上和现场的各种标识上获取有关安全操作的各种信息和管理者的要求和意图,从而实现操作者的自主管理、自我控制,实现安全施工的目的。同时介绍了用定置管理原理的科学定置技术,从建筑工程施工现场安全信息管理的收集、加工、设计、应用的方法。建筑施工现场安全信息定置管理技术的推广,将加速建筑安装企业及建筑施工现场的标准化安全管理的实现,真正实现预防为主、自主管理为主、持续改进的安全管理模式。值得在建筑施工现场推广。     

Advanced manufacturing technology and work simplification: An empirical study

This paper is concerned with the effects of advanced manufacturing technology on shopfloor operator jobs and work attitudes. A strong line of argument from labour process theory suggests that such technology will simplify and deskill jobs, and reduce the quality or working life. This proposition was explored within a large electronics company which assembles computer boards, where two different applications of information technology have been experienced. These were compared with two traditional manual assembly jobs. Assessment of job content, perceived job characteristics and operator work attitudes, showed no uniform deskilling effects of advanced manufacturing technologies. Much larger differences existed both between the different new technology applications and between the traditional jobs. This demonstrates that choice of technology is important to skill use and employees' attitudes, as are the choices for the organization of work around it. These are not uniform processes even within a single organization. Experience of operating advanced manufacturing technology was also accompanied by more positive views concerning its impact on the shopfloor.     

不同警告方式下驾驶人应激反应能力模拟试验研究

为研究在道路突发危险场景下先进驾驶辅助系统的不同警告方式对驾驶人应激反应能力的影响，利用自主开发的驾驶人应激反应能力测试软件，以计算机模拟与驾驶模拟器为试验平台，以实际驾驶视频为试验场景，选取操作准确率和反应时间为测试指标，分析不同警告方式下驾驶人的应激反应能力。研究结果表明:视觉警告可有效缩短应激反应时间；视听觉组合警告中，视觉警告占主导作用，听觉警告起辅助作用；在真实场景视频试验环境下，驾驶模拟器模拟试验的操作效果优于计算机模拟试验。     

基于改进相互作用矩阵的基坑施工安全风险评价

为解决现有基坑施工风险评价方法过于单一、客观性不足的问题，从勘察设计与监测、支护结构、土方施工、排水与降水、周围环境5个方面选取19个基坑施工安全影响因素；利用引入C-OWA算子的相互作用矩阵对其进行交互耦合分析，考虑各因素的单独作用效果的同时，在削弱专家主观偏好和综合考虑各因素相关性的基础上，研究其协同作用效果；最后用实例验证方法的实用性，结果表明:该项目整体风险偏高，其中排水系统能力、地下水水位和地下管线埋布是影响该基坑施工安全的主要风险因素，需重点防控。     

基于虚拟现实技术的非煤矿山救护队培训系统设计与实现

针对非煤矿山救护队应急救援培训的实际需求和现实不足的情况,根据救护队行动程序,应用虚拟现实技术,研究与设计非煤矿山救护队应急救援培训系统。硬件系统采用可视立体技术和多点触摸技术,设计双屏触摸一体培训考试机。软件系统由用户信息管理子系统、多媒体演示培训子系统、专项操作训练子系统、考核与评价子系统、综合训练子系统构成。采用3D显示、人性化用户体验设计、自动寻路A*算法和导航网格等关键技术,从几何建模、动画建模、信息数据库和场景驱动等方面对系统整体进行架构。该系统的设计与开发可使非煤矿山救护队培训考核更加安全、高效、系统和节约。     

基于行为主义的建筑施工企业安全教育实验研究

结合行为主义反应性制约取向理论对建筑施工企业安全教育进行探讨, 建立企业安全教育刺激-反应S-O-R单元链,以安全帽使用教育为例进行实验设计,通过实验分析得到视觉听觉双重刺激形式的安全教育更容易引起人的安全行为反应,且行为保持性最佳;单纯视觉、听觉刺激形式的安全教育对人的安全行为反应作用基本一致,但采用听觉刺激安全教育产生的安全行为保持性较差,在第7个工作日后逐渐恢复到空白实验阶段。同时通过心理问卷调查,分析实验过程中人员心理变化与工作年限等因素对人员安全意识的影响,得到工作年限为1~2年的人员安全意识较低,过强的刺激将导致人员的过度恐惧反而使安全意识降低。最后,对企业现行安全教育方式提出几点改进措施,包括:正视安全教育刺激的重要性、保持性以及针对性;充分认识企业安全文化环境对安全教育的影响。     

The consequences of unexpected emotional sounds on driving behaviour in risky situations

Recent development of systems for assisted driving has raised questions about what features of the stimuli perceived by a driver may improve driving behaviour and road safety. The present study aimed to uncover whether emotional auditory stimuli can affect risky behaviour in hazardous situations. Forty-nine volunteers rode a motorcycle in a virtual environment and went through a number of preset risky scenarios, some of which were cued by a sound (a beep, a positive emotional sound or a negative sound). Results showed that hearing the beep reduced the frequency of accidents in the upcoming risky situation, while the emotional cues did not. Likewise, the beep induced the drivers to decrease their speed and focus their gaze on relevant areas of the visual field, while the emotional sounds did not. These results suggest that auditory warning systems for vehicles should avoid using emotion-laden sounds, as their affective content might diminish their utility to increase driving alertness. These findings could provide important information for the development of new advanced driver assistance systems and in general for the specification of future Human–Machine-Interaction design guidelines.     

基于组合赋权和灰色Euclid理论的深基坑支护方案优选

提高深基坑开挖施工安全水平,综合考虑基坑支护方案影响因素的特点,建立基于博弈论组合赋权和灰色Euclid理论的基坑支护方案优选决策模型。首先,运用层次分析法（AHP）与信息熵法分别确定主客观权重。然后利用博弈集结模型对指标体系进行组合赋权,得到综合权重。最后,运用灰色Euclid理论评价优选模型进行深基坑支护方案的优选,同时结合工程实例进行验证。结果表明:运用博弈集结组合赋权和灰色Euclid理论模型选出方案A4为最优支护方案,结果与工程实际一致。