Design and Implementation of a Software Tool for Human Factors Accident Investigation and Classification (PCTACT)

Abstract

A software tool was designed and Implemented that leads accident investigators through the steps of a Systematic Error and Risk Analysts (SERA), a classification scheme based on Perceptual Control Theory arid developed at DRDC Toronto The software presents an investigator with a series of questions about an accident and generates conclusions about the nature of the failure and its probable pre-conditions. A graphical depiction of the decision tree allows users to navigate easily among the steps of the analysis. At the end of the process, the software produces a report detailing failures arid pre-conditions, and providing equivalent terminology from the AGA 135 HF ACS classification scheme. A help system was developed that makes context-sensitive help available to the user at various stages of the process In preliminary work to lay a foundation for intelligent finding, users' activities are tracked by the software m a way that can be used in the future to provide intelligent and adaptive help. To Illustrate the potential use of the tracking mechanism, the software was designed to mom for user actions and offer help whenever there is a long delay without input.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 31, 2002
Accession Number
ADA639066

Entities

People

  • Jack L. Edwards

Organizations

  • Defence Research and Development Canada

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accident Investigations
  • Accidents
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Classification
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Control Theory
  • Corporations
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Language
  • Operating Systems
  • Psychology
  • Risk
  • Standards
  • Web Browsers

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Database Systems and Applications
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.