A sensitivity/intrusion comparison of mental workload estimation techniques using a simulated flight task emphasizing perceptual piloting behaviors

Forty-eight licensed pilots flew three cross-country flights in which certain aspects of perceptual workload were varied by altering the rate and number of instrument-displayed incipient danger conditions. A moving-base simulation of a single-engine general aviation aircraft was used. The sensitivity of eight mental workload estimation techniques investigated to changes in perceptual workload was within a univariate factorial design. Concurrently, the differential intrusion of the eight techniques on four primary task measures was investigated using multivariate analysis. Of the eight techniques, six displayed statistically-significant sensitivity to load level. These included two opinion rating scales, secondary task measures of time estimation standard deviation and tapping regularity, respiration rate, and a primary task measure of danger condition detection/identification time. No intrusion effect was found. Recommendations for applying the various techniques, based on the relative sensitivity of those showing significance, are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Department dc:contributor.department

Industrial Engineering and Operations Research

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1982

Author dc:creator

• Casali, John G.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87656

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/87656