Challenges and opportunities in user centric shipping: developing a human centred design approach for navigation systems

Abstract

Out-of-the-loop, clumsy automation, radar assisted collisions and design induced errors, are all too familiar terms in the human factors literature. Unfortunately, these latent factors are very much present in the operation of maritime navigation systems (Rowley et al., 2006) in some cases leading to unsafe acts with consequenmtial outcomes. Lacking in usability some of these navigation systems have trapped the crew into what is sometimes referred to, but seldom investigated, as design induced errors. This paper will describe the process adopted by the international community with major input from Australia in ensuring that a research driven Human Centred Design (HCD) approach is applied in the development of future navigation systems, resulting in a dedicated guideline. Apart from describing the core elements of the new guideline, the challenges posed from a maritime regulatory perspective in developing and ensuring acceptance will also be discussed.