University of New South Wales - UNSW

AVIA 5017 Human Factors in Transportation Safety

The aim of this course is to help students develop an applicable understanding of human factors issues, and their relevance throughout the lifecycle of transportation systems.

Exclusions

Students having previously completed AVIA5018 Aviation Human Factors are excluded from enrolling into AVIA5017.

Course Overview

This course introduces students to the wide variety of issues affecting the safety of transportation systems. The course takes a lifecycle approach, beginning with human factors in design, through operation, maintenance and management. The transportation modalities of interest to this course are rail, shipping and aviation, including air traffic control. Students will obtain a solid understanding of how human factors considerations should be integrated into the development process, rather than added as an afterthought or add-on. Case studies will be integrated with theory throughout the course material.

Lecturer

Dr. Steven Shorrock

Location

This course runs for twelve weeks.
It is delivered entirely in Distance Learning format and is therefore accessible from any location.

Assessment

Students are required to complete one written assignment on a topic which will be detailed in the Distance Learning manual. The assignments must be word-processed with all students expected to have a back-up copy on disk, to be made available to lecturer on request.

There is also a final examination with this course.

Required Texts

Course Study Materials which are distributed to students and available via WebCT Vista.

Recommended Texts

Rail

Wilson, J., Norris, B., Clarke, T. & Mills, A (2005) Rail human factors. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate. ISBN 0754643824, 554 pages.

This is an edited book with a large collection of chapters by different authors on most aspects of human factors in the rail industry. This is currently the only rail human factors book on the market.

Aviation – Flight

Hawkins, F (1997) Human Factors in Flight. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate. ISBN 1857421353, 384 pages.

This is a very accessible and useful textbook on human factors, covering most of this course, and more. There is an aviation focus, but much of the material can be applied generically within the transport modalities.

Aviation – Air Traffic Control

Isaac, A. & Ruitenburg, B (1999) Air traffic control: human performance factors. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate. ISBN 0291398545, 392 pages.

A straightforward textbook for all involved in air traffic control, covering basic aspects of human performance in the ATC environment, written by a human factors specialist and air traffic controller.

Smolensky, M.W. and Stein, E.S (Eds.) (1998) Human factors in air traffic control. San Diego, US: Academic Press. ISBN 0126530106, 477 pages.

A very comprehensive and more advanced edited book with chapters by various leading contributors on most aspects of human factor in air traffic control.

Shipping

There are no books or textbooks are currently available. However, the following conference proceedings may be useful to those involved in shipping.
Royal Institution of Naval Architects (2005) Human factors in ship design, safety, and operation. London: Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

Another set of conference proceedings from a conference of the same name in 2002 is also available from the RINA.

Design and Engineering

Sanders, M.S. & McCormick, E.J (1992) Human factors in engineering and design. New York: McGraw Hill. ISBN 0071128263, 790 pages.

This is one of the most detailed and comprehensive books on human factors in design and engineering. This is for very advanced study.

Sandom, C (2004) Human factors for engineers. London: Institution of Electrical Engineers. ISBN 0863413293, 361 pages.

This book provides practical and pragmatic advice for engineer to assist engineers in designing interactive systems that are safer, more secure and easier to use.

Human Performance

Wickens, C., Lee, J., Liu, Y., Gordon-Becker, S (2003) Introduction to human factors engineering: International edition (2nd Edition). Pearson. ISBN 0131229176, 608 pages.
Kroemer, K.H.E., Grandjean, E (1997) Fitting the task to the human. London: Taylor and Francis. ISBN 0748406654, 432 pages.
Noyes, J (2001) Designing for humans. Hove, UK: Psychology Press. ISBN 0415227224, 215 pages.

Lighter Reads

Health and Safety Executive (1999) Reducing error and influencing behaviour (HSG48). HSE Books. Norwich: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO). ISBN 0717624528.
Health and Safety Executive (2000) Improving maintenance: A guide to reducing error (HSG48). HSE Books. Norwich: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO). ISBN 0717618188.

Many other texts are available and can be searched easily via a search engine or online book stores. Other texts that may be of assistance are extracted in the various sections to each unit. You may find that some of these extracts are also useful references in other units within this course.

Journals

There are many journals dedicated to human factors. These can be accessed (usually electronically) via the UNSW Library website – SIRIUS. The most relevant include:

Safety Science
Human Factors
Ergonomics
Applied Ergonomics
Human Factors and Aerospace Safety
Cognition, Technology and Work
Journal of Safety Research
Accident Analysis and Prevention

Learning Resources

The University of New South Wales provides a range of resources to help students develop their skills and to realise their full potential. The Learning Centre, located at the entrance to the Library provides guidance material, which is also available on-line.

In particular, students may wish to access the following:

Note-Taking Skills
The Basics of Essay Writing
Answering Assignment Questions
Report Writing FAQs
The Basics of Studying for Exams
Surviving Exams
Exam Skills
Plagiarism
American Psychological Association (APA) Style Referencing