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Investigating Interruptions: Implications for Flightdeck PerformanceA fundamental aspect of multiple task management is attending to new stimuli and integrating associated task requirements into an ongoing task set; this is "interruption management" (IM). Anecdotal evidence and field studies indicate the frequency and consequences of interruptions, however experimental investigations of mechanisms influencing IM are scarce. Interruptions on commercial flightdecks are numerous, of various forms, and have been cited as contributing factors in many aviation incident and accident reports. This research grounds an experimental investigation of flightdeck interruptions in a proposed IM stage model. This model organizes basic research, identifies influencing mechanisms, and suggests appropriate dependent measures for IM. Fourteen airline pilots participated in a flightdeck simulation experiment to investigate the general effects of performing an interrupting task and interrupted procedure, and the effects of specific task factors: (1) modality; (2) embeddedness, or goal-level, of an interruption; (3) strength of association, or coupling-strength, between interrupted tasks; (4) semantic similarity; and (5) environmental stress. General effects of interruptions were extremely robust. All individual task factors significantly affected interruption management, except "similarity." Results extend the Interruption Management model, and are interpreted for their implications for interrupted flightdeck performance and intervention strategies for mitigating their effects on the flightdeck.
Document ID
20000004291
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Latorella, Kara A. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1999
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Report/Patent Number
NASA/TM-1999-209707
NAS 1.15:209707
L-17910
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGT-50992
PROJECT: RTOP 522-14-11-03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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