The healthcare crisis in the United States has prompted the Institute of Medicine [IOM] and National Academy of Engineering [NAE] to collaborate to address how systems engineering could be used to redesign processes and delivery systems in healthcare. A collaborative effort funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Science Foundation, NIH, and NAE, brought together engineers and healthcare professionals to examine engineering applications and systems engineering tools as they apply to the healthcare system. The full report, Building a Better Delivery System: A New Engineering/Health Care Partnership, outlines several recommendations to close the growing gap. In response the Clemson University-GHS partnership demonstrates how systems engineering principles can be used. In this research, the authors present several concurrent research efforts being pursued as a partnership between Greenville Hospital System and Clemson University, and variety of tools that can be used to study and solve complex issues faced in healthcare. In particular, the authors suggest where both human factors and quantitative systems modeling can be used to provide insight and recommendations for changing existing processes.

This study investigated human error in non-aviation industries utilizing the Human Factors Classification and Analysis System (HFACS). The purpose of this study was to identify associations between active errors and latent conditions beyond the aviation industry using a taxonomy that systemically identifies both active errors and latent conditions at all levels of an organization. Doing so could potentially allow for the shifting of intervention target areas from active errors to latent conditions. Seven data sources representing five different non-aviation industry types were analyzed using HFACS methodology and causal category associations were identified. Among the various significant causal factor associations, violations were determined be associated with certain causal categories at the unsafe supervision tier. Additionally, crew resource management causal factors were found to be associated with both skill-based and decision errors. Associations among the HFACS causal categories yield useful information when determining targeted interventions.

Empirical findings from a gaze-contingent color degradation study report the effects of artificial reduction of the human visual system's sensitivity to peripheral chromaticity on visual search performance. To our knowledge, this is the first such investigation of peripheral color reduction. For unimpeded performance, results suggest that, unlike spatiotemporal content, peripheral chromaticity cannot be reduced within the central 20° visual angle. Somewhat analogous to dark adaptation, reduction of peripheral color tends to simulate scotopic viewing conditions. This holds significant implications for chromatic Level Of Detail management. Specifically, while peripheral spatiotemporal detail can be attenuated without affecting visual search, often dramatically (e.g., spatial detail can be so reduced up to 50% at about 5°), peripheral chromatic reduction is likely to be noticed much sooner. Therefore, color LOD reduction (e.g., via compression), should be maintained isotropically across the central 20° visual field.

This study investigated human error across a variety of industry types utilizing the Human Factors Classification and Analysis System (HFACS). One of the goals of the present study was to determine any similarities or disparities across industry type in regards to HFACS causal categories. Seven data sources represented five different industry types were collected and analyzed for percentage of cases associated with a causal factor at each HFACS causal category. Skill-based errors were found to dominate the unsafe acts tier regardless of industry type. Different statistical methods for determining population differences yielded conflicting results. Significant differences were found among certain data source pairings when the traditional two-proportion z-test was applied; however, the differences were found to be non-significant when the false discovery rate method was applied.

Recent collaborative efforts between Greenville Technical College's Aviation Maintenance Technology (Greenville, South Carolina, USA) training facility and Clemson University (Clemson, South Carolina, USA) have lead to significant improvements in Aviation Maintenance Technician training through the use of advanced computer technology. Such applications included: 2.5D and 3D virtual environments of a large-bodied aircraft cargobay with interaction modalities ranging from fully immersive (using a head-mounted display and 6 degrees-of-freedom mouse) to semi-immersive (using a spatially-tracked suspended, touch-sensitive window display) to non-immersive (using a basic desktop computer and mouse); and 3D virtual environments of turbine engine blades where nondestructive inspection methods (e.g. borescoping) could be practiced. This paper discusses the integration of these technologies into an existing educational curriculum and provides insight as to how such programs might be implemented and evaluated.

Recent advances have led to the development of a virtual simulator to be used for non-destructive inspection (NDI) training of aviation maintenance technicians. The simulator is distinctive in that it has been developed to simulate a general type of NDI job aiding tool (video borescope), as opposed to only simulating a precise model and make. By generating a simulator based on a generic model of the video borescope, the development process must face a common hurdle: determining the best interaction device for the task at hand. In the real world, video borescopes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, as do their interaction devices. In this case, the team must decide upon the best interaction device to be used while ensuring the retention of inspection information from training and facilitating interaction ease of use, all while not permanently engraining the skills that will be needed to control the actual devices when actually used. In short, the interaction device chosen for this simulator should facilitate the trainee's ability to learn NDI techniques without hardwiring simulator control techniques which can vary greatly in the real world. In an effort to determine the most applicable interaction device for this generic training simulator, a study was conducted using expert inspectors and two common interaction devices: a gamepad and a joystick. Performance measures were collected and subjective measures, by way of post-test questionnaires, were considered as well. This paper details the evaluation of a gamepad and a joystick as interaction devices when used with a virtual video borescope simulator for inspection training. Following the findings identified in the study, recommendations are provided for the implementation of such devices.

Increased emphasis on aircraft inspection to ensure aviation safety has resulted in the need for a bet ter trained workforce of aircraft maintenance personnel. As alm ost 90% of inspection is visual in nature, it has l ed to the development of computer simulators to train human i nspectors performing the inspection task. However, th lack of immersion and interaction has led to limited effect iveness in such simulators. This paper details the first phase of the development of a virtual borescope. Using a simple model of the turbine and stator of a Pratt and Whit ney PT6 engine, the simulator was evaluated using a modifie d v rsion of the Witmer-Singer Presence Questionnai re (PQ). Based on the responses of the expert participants, it was observed that the realism and interaction of the simulator was comparable to that of the actual borescope. Alt hough the participants commented on the lack of con straints while interacting with the simulator, they experien c d a high degree of correlation between the action s performed in the virtual simulator and the actual borescope insp ection.

This paper describes a research program with an objective to develop and implement an interactive virtual reality (VR) model of the aircraft inspection maintenance process for asynchronous delivery. Existing approaches have not been able to mimic accurately the complexity of the aircraft maintenance process, reporting limited transfer capabilities and student preparedness for the workplace. This use of virtual reality technology will enable educators to create and students to experience the complex aircraft maintenance environment in an educational classroom, a setting where it has not yet been successfully created using traditional multimedia-based technologies. This model will emphasize the curriculum development and workplace preparedness needed by modern aircraft maintenance technology for local, state and national audiences. The primary objectives of this research are curriculum enhancement and assessment of VR as a pedagogical tool. This innovative approach is the first effort to extend tested VR technology to the aircraft maintenance technology curriculum in a two-year college. The outcome of this research will lead to the following: an innovative, high-impact model for curriculum application in aircraft maintenance technology for college students and industry employees; an increased workplace pool of aircraft maintenance technicians prepared for the transition from learning to workforce; a program providing the use of VR technology as a pedagogical tool. The successful completion of this effort will fill a state and national need for well-prepared students entering the aircraft maintenance industry and will provide a better understanding of the use of VR as a pedagogical tool.