Presentation
Evaluating the Effects of Task Load, Crew Size, and Work Design on Multiple Vehicle Operations
DescriptionRemotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) are an emerging technology and have many applications within civil aviation. A major barrier to the growth of commercial RPAS operations is the cost of crewing. Currently, a single RPA is typically controlled by two to three personnel. Although recent advances in RPAS control systems have enabled crews to operate multiple RPA simultaneously, there is limited research that evaluates their safety and effectiveness. There is a need to understand how the complexity of multi-vehicle operations scales due to the cost of coordinating multiple vehicles between multiple personnel. We conducted a desktop simulation study to investigate how task load (2RPA vs. 4RPA per person), crew size (2-person vs. 3-person), and work design (functional vs. structural), affect crew performance in multi-vehicle RPAS operations. Participants worked as crews to conduct search and rescue missions using multiple RPA. We measured self-reported workload, number of images classified, and frequency of conflicts between RPA. Data was analyzed using Bayesian hierarchical models. Results suggest that coordination cost increases when increasing task load and crew size, which affects crew performance, and that these costs stem from dependencies that are created between crew members in each work design.
Event Type
Lecture
TimeTuesday, October 14th2:10pm - 2:30pm CDT
LocationGrand Hall K
Perception and Performance