HUMAN

Model-Based Analysis of Human Errors during Aircraft Cockpit System Design

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The objective of the HUMAN project is to develop a methodology with techniques and prototypical tools supporting the prediction of human errors in ways that are usable and practical for human-centred design of systems operating in complex cockpit environments. The methodology contributes to (1) reducing the accident rate by enhancing the accuracy of pilot error prediction and to (2) achieving a substantial improvement in the elimination of and recovery from human error by reducing the effort of design and test for active and passive safety measures. These targets will be achieved through research and technology development in: (1) Cognitive modelling: the challenge is to develop an integrated cognitive crew model able to predict a significant range of design relevant pilot behaviours (including errors) covering human-machine interaction and crew performance in the complex dynamic environments. (2) Virtual simulation: the challenge is to develop a high-fidelity virtual simulation platform to execute the cognitive crew model in realistic flight scenarios in order to analyse the dependencies (including the safety effect of likely pilot errors) between the pilots, a target system, the aircraft and its environment. (3) Knowledge base on human performance: the challenge is to thoroughly investigate pilot behaviour on a physical simulation platform (comprising a full-scale flight simulator) to enhance the understanding of cognitive processes leading to pilot errors and to use the resulting knowledge to validate and further develop the cognitive crew model. The human errors will be studied in relation to a target system that will be based on issues pertaining to the future Air Traffic Management context. This will permit to study pilots' future activities and potential errors and to provide useful information to drive the development of active and passive safety measures for this domain.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Extensive pilot training and experience may reduce the risk of human error, but struggles to completely eliminate it. A lapse of judgement, especially when piloting an aircraft, can lead to devastating consequences. European research seeks to isolate the risks by predicting pilot error.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

At times, these errors can be partially attributed to overly complex aircraft cockpit designs. A pilot can get disoriented in stressful situations and may accidently perform a potentially dangerous procedure.

This is why the EU-funded 'Model-based analysis of human errors during aircraft cockpit system design' (HUMAN) project has developed an innovative cognitive modelling tool that can help designers improve cockpit design. The idea is not necessarily to simplify the cockpit but to make it more suitable to human performance.

Their cognitive model of crew behaviour will inform cockpit designers of possible pilot limitations. Once identified, designers will be able to better adapt the cockpit to the pilot. Though the 36-month project won't end until February of 2011, HUMAN has already produced significant results.

Indeed, their cognitive modelling tool can already predict how and why a pilot reacts to any given event with respect to cockpit design and his or her physical interaction with systems controls. But developing such a tool requires extensive testing, validation and research ingenuity. Human judgement and error is notoriously difficult to pin down, so the researchers came up with two different testing platforms.

The first platform was entirely 'virtual' - using a simulated flight crew, cockpit, and flight environment - while the second 'physical' platform placed real pilots in flight simulators. The virtual platform enabled the HUMAN researchers to test their cognitive modelling tool and produce valuable data on pilot error predictions.

The data was then compared to the behaviour of the real pilots and their performance in the flight simulators. Data from the physical platform enhanced the understanding of cognitive processes leading to pilot errors, according to the project partners. The resulting knowledge was used to validate and further develop the cognitive crew model.

Though rare, pilot errors do occur. But by identifying potential cockpit design flaws improvements can be made to boost overall aircraft safety. Clearly, a benefit to anyone who flies.