Applied Ergonomics最新文献

{"title":"Effects of adopting voice assistants countermeasures on alerting drowsy drivers across age.","authors":"Wei Zhang, Oliver Carsten, Courtney M Goodridge, Wei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104616","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Drowsy driving is one of the leading contributing factors to traffic accidents. As drivers continue driving despite being aware of their drowsy states, it is necessary to adopt active countermeasures to avoid them falling asleep behind the wheel. Based on the multiple resources model, this study proposed five countermeasure types using voice assistants (no-countermeasure vs. meaninglessly listening vs. meaningfully listening vs. repeating vs. answering) and investigated their effects on countering drowsiness for young and middle-aged drivers. A five-week simulated manual driving experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures based on driver performance, physiological indicators, eye movement indicators, and subjective ratings. Results indicated that repeating and answering were the two most effective countermeasures. The self-reported sleepiness of these two countermeasures (6.328 and 5.276 for repeating and answering, respectively) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the no-countermeasure (7.983). The physiological arousal state in term of skin conductance level for the two (1.798 and 1.990 for repeating and answering, respectively) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the no-countermeasure (1.022). Consistent patterns were also found in driving performance, eye movement indicators, psychomotor vigilance task accuracy, and subjective acceptance ratings. These findings suggested that countermeasures involving more resource stages can enhance drivers' alertness. The trend of higher alertness in the answering condition compared to the repeating condition highlighted the advantage of increasing cognitive load in countering drowsiness. Although young and middle-aged drowsy drivers did not differ on their average responses to different countermeasures, they showed differences in their physiological activation in reacting to the countermeasures. Drowsiness countermeasures should be tailored to fulfill individual needs, particularly for middle-aged drivers. This study not only clarifies how drowsiness countermeasures work but also offers practical guidance for vehicle designers on using in-vehicle voice assistants effectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"129 ","pages":"104616"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144805286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing heated driver seat design: Thermal comfort in cold weather.","authors":"Jangwoon Park, Hongwei Hsiao, Baekhee Lee, Kang Yen Lee, Joo Hwan Son","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104614","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Heated seats are increasingly used in vehicles to improve thermal comfort, yet preferred temperatures across different seat zones remain underexplored. This study examined seat surface temperature preferences across six seatback and cushion zones, considering the effects of weather conditions and user demographics. A total of 102 participants-diverse in sex, age, body size, and ethnicity-participated in a controlled experiment simulating -8 °C to 12 °C and 35 %-75 % humidity. Results indicated that colder conditions led to higher preferred temperatures at four seat zones, with female participants generally favoring warmer settings than males. The findings support the need for seat heating systems with individual controls for multiple zones. Twelve predictive models-six each for basic and advanced seat designs-were developed to estimate optimal seat temperatures. These models can help automotive manufacturers improve seat heating systems by integrating them into AI-assisted technologies for adaptive thermal regulation, ultimately enhancing occupant comfort and satisfaction.</p>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"129 ","pages":"104614"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144796183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the influence of job characteristics on the adoption of driver advisory systems for energy-efficient driving: Insights from a longitudinal field study in rail operations.","authors":"Gina N Schnücker, Johannes Salge, Linda Onnasch","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104597","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the impact of Driver Advisory Systems (DAS) for eco-efficient driving on train drivers' job characteristics and job satisfaction, and their effects on acceptance and compliance with the system. Driving and questionnaire data from 16 drivers equipped with DAS were collected over a five-month period. Questionnaire data were compared to questionnaire data of a control group (n = 18). Contrary to expectations, DAS did not significantly alter job characteristics or occupational satisfaction. However, drivers with higher task identity and occupational satisfaction demonstrated greater acceptance of and compliance with DAS, highlighting the interplay between work design and technology adoption. Regression analyses indicated that perceived usefulness, task identity, and skill variety were key predictors of compliance. Despite our small sample size, our study provides first indications about the value of considering aspects of work design to understand drivers' willingness to drive more energy-efficiently with the support of DAS.</p>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"129 ","pages":"104597"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of foot-transmitted vibration on gait metrics, kinematics, and dynamic stability.","authors":"Flavia Marrone, Nicole Sanna, Elena Falchi, Angelo Tirabasso, Massimo Bovenzi, Marco Tarabini","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104618","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Transport operators face increased risks of injuries and falls while walking on a vibrating floor. No standards exist for human exposure to foot-transmitted vibration (FTV). In this study, twenty-one subjects walked on a treadmill constrained on a moving platform used to apply harmonic vibrations in four directions (mediolateral, anteroposterior, roll, and pitch) at four frequencies (0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.5 Hz) with constant displacement (2 cm or 1°). The gait metrics, kinematic, and stability data were extracted in correspondence with the onset/offset of platform movement and when the steady-state of FTV was reached. Mediolateral vibration at the highest frequency was the most impactful condition, leading to the adoption of compensatory strategies to stabilize the center of mass closer to the floor and enlarge the base of support. These findings suggest that, from a normative perspective, a specific weighting curve is needed to assess human response to FTV while walking, since it varies as a function of vibration frequency and direction.</p>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"129 ","pages":"104618"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144805287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of telehealth videoconferencing on the healthcare work system: designing for sustained practice","authors":"Nicola Green ,&nbsp;David Tappin ,&nbsp;Tim Bentley","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104641","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104641","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Good health is vital for sustainable social and economic development and improving access to healthcare can help progress this goal. Telehealth is a digital technology that can strengthen health systems. One example is healthcare consultations using videoconferencing (VC) to connect patients and providers. Despite stakeholder benefits, there are challenges in integrating VC into routine practice which has led to failed VC services. This study, guided by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 2.0 framework, investigated the impact of VC on healthcare work systems in Aotearoa New Zealand. Interviews with experts, healthcare providers and patients (n = 40) and observations at three healthcare sites showed that using VC has cross-level system impacts, including new ways of working, change, human connection and equity. The findings suggest human-centred design and consideration of system interactions could support sustained VC healthcare, with implications for future technology adoption and opportunities for ergonomics and human factors in system analysis and design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104641"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of the use of a shift schedule evaluation tool with ergonomic recommendations on employee wellbeing - a quasi-experiment in the Finnish healthcare sector","authors":"Kati Karhula ,&nbsp;Rahman Shiri ,&nbsp;Jenni Ervasti ,&nbsp;Aki Koskinen ,&nbsp;Annina Ropponen ,&nbsp;Mikael Sallinen ,&nbsp;Jarno Turunen ,&nbsp;Mikko Härmä","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104638","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104638","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We investigated the effects of a shift schedule evaluation tool with ergonomics recommendations on employee wellbeing. The study sample was from the Finnish Public Sector study (n = 7002 employees). The shift planners' use of the shift schedule evaluation tool was linked to employees' self-reported wellbeing outcomes. Inverse probability weights, reflecting the likelihood of the evaluation tool's use by the shift planner, were calculated using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression for each participant and logistic regression for each ward. Wards using the tool (intervention group) were compared to those not using it (control group) with a generalized linear model. No association was found between the tool's use and wellbeing at the ward level. In the individual level, lower psychological distress was found in the intervention group (Risk ratio 0.92, 95 % Confidence interval 0.85−0.99). More rigorous use of the tool may be necessary to achieve significant benefits for wellbeing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104638"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145050073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nonlinear analysis reveals duration and gradient-dependent disruption of load carriage gait variability during an outdoor 6.72 km time trial in military personnel","authors":"Evan D. Feigel ,&nbsp;Ayden McCarthy ,&nbsp;Joel T. Fuller ,&nbsp;Lily Rosenblum ,&nbsp;Mita Lovalekar ,&nbsp;Tommi Ojanen ,&nbsp;Kai Pihlainen ,&nbsp;Brian J. Martin ,&nbsp;Kristen J. Koltun ,&nbsp;Tim L.A. Doyle ,&nbsp;Bradley C. Nindl","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104639","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104639","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This investigation assessed the effect of gradient and duration on the gait variability exponent, DFA-α, in military personnel affixed with dual inertial measurement units performing a load carriage time-trial. Gait data (N = 14) were partitioned into 256 stride time segments by gradient (uphill, downhill) using a gait event algorithm. Detrended fluctuation analysis calculated DFA-α per segment, which was averaged across one-third durations (phases 1–3) per gradient. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA examined effects of gradient, duration, and interaction on DFA-α, with Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc comparisons. There was a significant main effect of duration (phase 1: 0.593 ± 0.021; phase 2: 0.563 ± 0.031; phase 3: 0.493 ± 0.021; F = 3.833, p = 0.035, η_p² = 0.228), but not gradient (uphill: 0.486 ± 0.031; downhill: 0.614 ± 0.035; F = 4.252, p = 0.060, η_p² = 0.246), or interaction (F = 0.019, p = 0.981, η_p² = 0.001). Pairwise comparisons revealed significantly lower DFA-α during phase 3 than phase 1 (p = 0.016). Elapsed duration and uphill gradient, despite a large, but non-significant effect, may represent factors altering gait variability for injury risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104639"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145027333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"COVID-19 vaccination systems: Human Factors at the ‘sharp end’","authors":"Janette Edmonds ,&nbsp;Sue Hignett ,&nbsp;Helen Vosper ,&nbsp;Hugh Currie ,&nbsp;Paul Bowie","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104588","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104588","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To share key learnings from the assessment of a COVID-19 vaccination system in Scotland using a Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) approach.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Project data were collected in February 2021 in NHS Ayrshire and Arran (NHSAA) – the regional health authority - using document analysis (Service Delivery Manual, 2020), observations (2 site visits), and workshops (n = 8, with 26 participants). The Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach (SHERPA) is a framework for human reliability analysis that can be used as part of a safety assessment or safety case to determine whether the system is ‘safe enough’ and provide recommendations to improve safety by mitigating error potential. In this paper it was used to assess the service delivery system and make recommendations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Many recovery mechanisms and risk control measures had already been implemented by NHSAA. Eighteen issues required additional risk control, grouped into three themes.<ul><li><span>1.</span><span><div>Improve staff training and awareness, and the management of expectations.</div></span></li><li><span>2.</span><span><div>Improve equipment and information provision.</div></span></li><li><span>3.</span><span><div>Implement additional checks and contingencies.</div></span></li></ul></div><div><ul><li><span>1.</span><span><div>Improve staff training and awareness, and the management of expectations.</div></span></li><li><span>2.</span><span><div>Improve equipment and information provision.</div></span></li><li><span>3.</span><span><div>Implement additional checks and contingencies.</div></span></li></ul></div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings were used to improve the current service delivery and provide guidance for the safe design and delivery of future rollouts of time-critical public health vaccination programmes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104588"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145020411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"VR- or lecture-based training? The role of culture in safety training outcomes","authors":"Estefany Rey-Becerra ,&nbsp;Lope H. Barrero ,&nbsp;Rolf Ellegast ,&nbsp;Annette Kluge","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104626","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104626","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Virtual reality (VR) training provides immersive, risk-free experiences that leverage multisensory integration to improve memory retention, presence and embodiment to strengthen engagement and attention, and situational learning to promote transfer of training to real-world contexts. Adding gamification through serious games (SG) further enhances engagement and active learning. This study validates a VR-SG safety training previously evaluated in Colombia, now applied to 74 professional roofers in Germany comparing ViStra (VR-SG) with LeStra (lecture-based with problem-based learning). Using Kirkpatrick's model, we assessed reaction, cognitive and attitudinal outcomes, self-reported behavior, and safety climate through validated questionnaires. Both programs improved cognitive and attitudinal outcomes, with no significant differences. No effects were found for behavior or safety climate. Thus, ViStra matched LeStra's effectiveness. Post hoc comparison with Colombian data suggests cultural factors influence some outcomes, highlighting the importance of adapting training strategies to cultural contexts for future safety training strategies in diverse work environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"130 ","pages":"Article 104626"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144922619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating train drivers’ performance to inform the development of automatic train operation","authors":"Baris Cogan ,&nbsp;Esther Bosch ,&nbsp;Birte Thomas-Friedrich ,&nbsp;Helena Wasle ,&nbsp;David Schackmann ,&nbsp;Christian Klotz ,&nbsp;Birgit Milius","doi":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104622","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apergo.2025.104622","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding train driver performance can provide valuable insights for the development of automatic train operation systems. This study investigates the visual perception of train drivers under different conditions using driving simulator experiments. The 43 participating train drivers were instructed to drive the train and react to stationary objects on the tracks of varying size and contrast to the background. Two train protection systems (the German intermittent train protection system PZB and the European Train Control System with in-cab signalling ETCS) and on-sight driving were used. The results showed significant effects of size, contrast, and speed on reaction times. The effects of the train protection systems and on-sight driving were inconclusive. The approach presented in this study, along with an understanding of the relative impact of various performance shaping factors can serve as a basis for defining the requirements for ATO systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55502,"journal":{"name":"Applied Ergonomics","volume":"129 ","pages":"Article 104622"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144904108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}