Short answer

Design systems and protocols that proactively monitor and support crew situational awareness, particularly by accounting for the impact of fatigue and workload.

Field
Human Factors
Source
BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) (2014)
Method
Survey Research
Evidence
Strong effect

Fatigue and fluctuating workload significantly impair situational awareness among maritime professionals, leading to potential accidents. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)). Using Survey research, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design systems and protocols that proactively monitor and support crew situational awareness, particularly by accounting for the impact of fatigue and workload.

Study
Human FactorsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Situational Awareness in Marine Operations is Compromised by Fatigue and Workload

Fatigue and fluctuating workload significantly impair situational awareness among maritime professionals, leading to potential accidents.

BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) · 2014

01

Key Findings

  • 01Lack of primary situational awareness is a leading cause of accidents in the maritime industry.
  • 02Secondary loss of situational awareness is also a significant contributor to incidents.
  • 03Real-time simulation is challenging for accurately assessing situational awareness due to variable workload and fatigue.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Design systems and protocols that proactively monitor and support crew situational awareness, particularly by accounting for the impact of fatigue and workload.

How to apply

When designing control interfaces or operational workflows for high-stress environments, consider implementing features that provide clear, concise, and timely information, and potentially include fatigue monitoring or workload management tools.

Project actions

  • 01When researching human performance, consider how fatigue and workload might influence results.
  • 02Use a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to get a fuller picture of user experience.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the primary factors contributing to the loss of situational awareness among licensed captains and pilots in demanding marine operations.
MethodSurvey Research
ProcedureA questionnaire was developed and administered to licensed captains and pilots in the maritime industry. The questionnaire gathered feedback on factors potentially affecting situational awareness, such as workload and fatigue, across various operational contexts and vessel types.
ContextMaritime industry, specifically focusing on ship operations and the roles of captains and pilots.

Variables

IV["Workload level","Fatigue level"]
DV["Situational awareness (e.g., accuracy of recall, response time to alerts)"]
CV["Type of vessel","Experience level of personnel","Type of operation"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses a critical safety issue in a high-risk industry.
  • +Identifies key contributing factors to a complex human performance problem.

Limitations

It is difficult to perfectly replicate the complex, dynamic, and high-consequence environment of marine operations in a controlled study. Self-reported data can be subjective.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be improved by using standardized questionnaires and consistent administration. Validity is enhanced by focusing on a specific, well-defined aspect of situational awareness in a relevant context, though the subjective nature of self-report data may limit external validity.

Think critically

How can design interventions actively support situational awareness, rather than just presenting information, especially when users are fatigued or overloaded?

05

Design Principles

"Design for resilience by anticipating and mitigating human factors that degrade performance in critical operational environments."

Understanding the factors that degrade situational awareness is crucial for designing safer work environments and operational procedures in high-stakes industries. This insight can inform the development of training programs, technological aids, and operational protocols to mitigate risks associated with human error.

06

What This Means for Your Design

In busy or tiring situations on ships, people can lose track of what's going on, which can lead to accidents. It's hard to test this in practice because everyone gets tired and busy differently.

How to use in your project

  • 1.This research can inform the justification for investigating specific user groups or operational contexts where situational awareness is paramount.
  • 2.It can also guide the selection of methods to assess user performance under varying conditions.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This design project acknowledges the critical role of situational awareness in demanding operational environments, as highlighted by research in the maritime sector. Studies indicate that factors such as fatigue and fluctuating workload significantly impair a user's ability to maintain situational awareness, thereby increasing the risk of errors and accidents. Therefore, the design process will prioritize the development of interfaces and procedures that actively support and enhance user situational awareness, particularly under conditions of stress or high demand.

09

Source

BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway))

Situational awareness in Demanding Marine Operations

journal · 2014

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about situational awareness in marine operations is compromised by fatigue and workload?
Design systems and protocols that proactively monitor and support crew situational awareness, particularly by accounting for the impact of fatigue and workload. Evidence: BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)) (2014).
Why does "Situational Awareness in Marine Operations is Compromised by Fatigue and Workload" matter for design?
Understanding the factors that degrade situational awareness is crucial for designing safer work environments and operational procedures in high-stakes industries. This insight can inform the development of training programs, technological aids, and operational protocols to mitigate risks associated with human error.
How can designers apply this research?
Design systems and protocols that proactively monitor and support crew situational awareness, particularly by accounting for the impact of fatigue and workload.
What were the main findings?
Lack of primary situational awareness is a leading cause of accidents in the maritime industry.. Secondary loss of situational awareness is also a significant contributor to incidents.. Real-time simulation is challenging for accurately assessing situational awareness due to variable workload and fatigue.
What research method was used?
Survey Research.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2014 journal from BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway)).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing control interfaces or operational workflows for high-stress environments, consider implementing features that provide clear, concise, and timely information, and potentially include fatigue monitoring or workload management tools.
What are the limitations?
The study relies on self-reported data via questionnaires, which may be subject to recall bias or social desirability bias. The complexity of real-world maritime operations is difficult to fully capture in a questionnaire.