The Extent of Distraction of Cell Phone Conversations for Passengers in Simulated Flight

<p>Currently, passengers are forbidden from making cell phone calls during flights in the United States due to cellular electronic interference. However, some related research has demonstrated that the use of cell phones has little interference with avionics. Furthermore, any potential electronic interference can be eliminated by using new technology. Although talking on the cell phone does not cause electronic interference, the distraction of a passenger caused by a cell phone may negatively impact safety. The cell phone calls have been found to affect people’s attention and performance. In-flight announcements are popular methods to inform commercial airliner passengers of their situation and aircraft’s status. If a passenger’s attention is distracted from the announcements by the phone call, it would inhibit the passenger from being aware of important information. Nevertheless, little research is about the distraction of the in-flight announcements caused by cell phone calls. The purpose of this study was to compare the extent of safety compliance (checking seatbelts, raising tray tables) and retention of announcements among three groups: cell phone conversation, face-to-face conversation (i.e., talking with the passenger next to them), and control. Findings revealed that the cell phone group and the face-to-face group memorized less information from safety announcement and complied with safety behaviors to a lesser degree than the control group. The face-to-face group was not safer than the cell phone group on any measure. Therefore, it is recommended that lifting the ban on in-flight cell phone calls should be considered.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Aeronautics

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aeronautical Science

Year

2017

Author dc:creator

• Li, Tianhua

• cell phone
• conversation
• airline passengers
• Aviation Safety and Security
• Management and Operations

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.erau.edu/edt/338

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1337