Enhancing forensic human factors/ergonomics analyses using digital surveillance video

The increased need for physical security and rapid technological developments has created opportunities for enhancing the validity of expert opinions offered in the courtroom by human factors/ergonomics professionals. Digital surveillance equipment typically yields more information from several perspectives as well as affords more control than ‘old’ technologies such as closed-circuit television, video cassette recorders, and multiplexers. This poster illustrates three case examples in which human factors/ergonomics experts used digital surveillance video as part of forensic analyses on cases retained by attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants. The first case is a rear-end collision on a freeway between a moving bus and a stopped pickup truck. The second is a collision between a moving bus and falling pedestrian, while the third is a more common slip-and-fall incident in a retail grocery store. The implications of improved digital surveillance video for the practice of forensics human factors/ergonomics are discussed.

Download Full-text

A Case Study Demonstrating the Utility of Surveillance Video in Assessing Gait Dynamics and Behavior During a Slip and Fall

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/1071181320641125 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 550-554

Author(s):

Leah S. Hartman ◽

Stephanie A. Whetsel Borzendowski ◽

Alan O. Campbell

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Gait Pattern ◽

Personal Injury ◽

Objective Data ◽

Surveillance Video ◽

Gait Dynamics ◽

Fall Incident ◽

The Individual ◽

And Behavior

As the use of surveillance video at commercial properties becomes more prevalent, it is more likely an incident involving a personal injury will be captured on film. This provides a unique opportunity for Human Factors practitioners involved in forensic investigations to analyze the behavior of the individual prior to, during, and after the event in question. It also provides an opportunity to gather unique and objective data. The present work describes a case study of a slip and fall where surveillance video and onsite measurements were combined and analyzed to quantify a plaintiff’s gait pattern. Using this type of analysis, we were able to determine that the plaintiff was likely aware that the floor was slippery and adjusted her gait and behavior prior to the slip and fall incident.

Download Full-text

Human Factors of Remotely Operated Vehicles

10.1016/s1479-3601(2006)7 ◽

2006 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Remotely Operated Vehicles

Download Full-text

An Application of the HFACS Method to Aviation Accidents in Africa

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors ◽

10.1027/2192-0923/a000093 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 33-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Isaac Munene

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Physical Environment ◽

Human Factor ◽

Flight Training ◽

African Countries ◽

Causal Factors ◽

Aviation Accidents ◽

Factors Analysis ◽

Adverse Weather ◽

Decision Errors

Abstract. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) methodology was applied to accident reports from three African countries: Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. In all, 55 of 72 finalized reports for accidents occurring between 2000 and 2014 were analyzed. In most of the accidents, one or more human factors contributed to the accident. Skill-based errors (56.4%), the physical environment (36.4%), and violations (20%) were the most common causal factors in the accidents. Decision errors comprised 18.2%, while perceptual errors and crew resource management accounted for 10.9%. The results were consistent with previous industry observations: Over 70% of aviation accidents have human factor causes. Adverse weather was seen to be a common secondary casual factor. Changes in flight training and risk management methods may alleviate the high number of accidents in Africa.

Download Full-text

Aviation Human Factors Related Industry News

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors ◽

10.1027/2192-0923/a000088 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 136-138

Keyword(s):

Human Factors

Download Full-text

Asiana Airlines Flight 214

Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors ◽

10.1027/2192-0923/a000066 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 113-121 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Stephanie Chow ◽

Stephen Yortsos ◽

Najmedin Meshkati

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Aviation Safety ◽

Cultural Factors ◽

Vital Role ◽

Cultural Issues ◽

Flight Crew ◽

Pilot Performance ◽

Engineering Designs ◽

Flight Deck

This article focuses on a major human factors–related issue that includes the undeniable role of cultural factors and cockpit automation and their serious impact on flight crew performance, communication, and aviation safety. The report concentrates on the flight crew performance of the Boeing 777–Asiana Airlines Flight 214 accident, by exploring issues concerning mode confusion and autothrottle systems. It also further reviews the vital role of cultural factors in aviation safety and provides a brief overview of past, related accidents. Automation progressions have been created in an attempt to design an error-free flight deck. However, to do that, the pilot must still thoroughly understand every component of the flight deck – most importantly, the automation. Otherwise, if pilots are not completely competent in terms of their automation, the slightest errors can lead to fatal accidents. As seen in the case of Asiana Flight 214, even though engineering designs and pilot training have greatly evolved over the years, there are many cultural, design, and communication factors that affect pilot performance. It is concluded that aviation systems designers, in cooperation with pilots and regulatory bodies, should lead the strategic effort of systematically addressing the serious issues of cockpit automation, human factors, and cultural issues, including their interactions, which will certainly lead to better solutions for safer flights.

Download Full-text