Citation

Zupanc CM, Burgess-Limerick RJ, Wallis G. Hum. Factors 2007; 49(4): 628-636.

Affiliation

School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia. czupanc@hms.uq.edu.au

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17702214

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate error and reaction time consequences of alternating compatible and incompatible steering arrangements during a simulated obstacle avoidance task. BACKGROUND: Underground coal mine shuttle cars provide an example of a vehicle in which operators are required to alternate between compatible and incompatible steering configurations. METHODS: This experiment examines the performance of 48 novice participants in a virtual analogy of an underground coal mine shuttle car. Participants were randomly assigned to a compatible condition, an incompatible condition, an alternating condition in which compatibility alternated within and between hands, or an alternating condition in which compatibility alternated between hands. RESULTS: Participants made fewer steering direction errors and made correct steering responses more quickly in the compatible condition. Error rate decreased over time in the incompatible condition. A compatibility effect for both errors and reaction time was also found when the control-response relationship alternated; however, performance improvements over time were not consistent. Isolating compatibility to a hand resulted in reduced error rate and faster reaction time than when compatibility alternated within and between hands. CONCLUSION: The consequences of alternating control-response relationships are higher error rates and slower responses, at least in the early stages of learning. APPLICATION: This research highlights the importance of ensuring consistently compatible human-machine directional control-response relationships.

Language: en