Combat Automation Requirements Testbed (CART): An Example Application
Abstract
The Combat Automation Requirements Testbed (CART) environment is an evolving software tool used to develop human performance models and integrate them with constructive simulations (CS) to address human performance modeling questions. An informal study was conducted to determine the level of effort required by naive users to use the CART software to answer research questions, identify areas where the software and supporting materials could be improved, and evaluate the utility of CART for addressing research questions normally tackled in virtual simulations (VS). Although model development was time consuming, much of this activity would need to be done whether researchers were using VS or CS. Regardless of method used, it would be prudent for researchers to develop detailed mission scenarios and task sequences and make educated estimates of time and workload requirements. The difference between resource requirements for VS and CS studies occurs in the activities that come next. In VS, hardware and software must be developed and subject-matter-experts testbed. In CS, the remainder of the work is mostly software development. The level of effort depends on the desired fidelity of the model and whether or not it is to 'stand alone' or interact with a VS environment. Several usability issues should be addressed before CART is widely distributed. Perhaps most important, the CART software and supporting materials are poorly documented. This is exacerbated by the non-intuitive nature of the CART user interface. Most researchers will require substantial assistance from CART software experts to fully-utilize the software. An easy to follow user's manual, pop-up menus, and Help function would go a long way toward making CART more user friendly and accessible to researchers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA396871
Entities
People
- Jeffrey A. Doyal
- Karen A. Craig
- Thomas R. Carretta