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Papers by Margaret Trotter

Applied Ergonomics, May 1, 2011

Interface design is an important factor in assessing the potential effects on safety of interacti... more Interface design is an important factor in assessing the potential effects on safety of interacting with an in-vehicle information system while driving. In the current study, the layout of information on a visual display was manipulated to explore its effect on driving performance in the context of music selection. The comparative effects of an auditoryeverbal (cognitive) task were also explored. The driving performance of 30 participants was assessed under both baseline and dual task conditions using the Lane Change Test. Concurrent completion of the music selection task with driving resulted in significant impairment to lateral driving performance (mean lane deviation and percentage of correct lane changes) relative to the baseline, and significantly greater mean lane deviation relative to the combined driving and the cognitive task condition. The magnitude of these effects on driving performance was independent of layout concept, although significant differences in subjective workload estimates and performance on the music selection task across layout concepts highlights that potential uncertainty regarding design use as conveyed through layout concept could be disadvantageous. The implications of these results for interface design and safety are discussed.

Iet Intelligent Transport Systems, Jun 1, 2011

The potential of in-vehicle information systems (IVISs) to cause driver distraction highlights th... more The potential of in-vehicle information systems (IVISs) to cause driver distraction highlights the need to ensure that such systems are designed in such a way that driver safety is not compromised. The human-centred design approach has much to offer in this regard. Central to this approach is that interface design is an iterative process, and that information on usability is collected as part of this process thus helping to inform system design. This study presents a case study, where the usability of three IVIS display presentation concepts for a music selection device was examined in each of the two phases of design iteration. In Phase 1, data on usability were collected through a cognitive walkthrough approach involving four human factors experts. In Phase 2, data were collected as part of an experimental lab-based study involving 30 potential users. The approach was effective in highlighting areas for design improvement and was sufficiently sensitive in differentiating the concepts on the basis of their usability. Suggestions for a further phase of usability evaluation as part of a subsequent IVIS design iteration are offered.

Ergonomics Design & Mgmt. Theory & Applications, 2011

Journal of aging and physical activity, Jan 2, 2015

The study aim was to evaluate the implementation of group- and home-based exercise falls preventi... more The study aim was to evaluate the implementation of group- and home-based exercise falls prevention programs delivered through community health agencies to community dwelling older people. Interviews with program staff were guided by the Diffusion of Innovations theory. Highly consistent themes emerged for the two types of programs. Both had high overall compatibility, high relative advantage, good observability and high inherent trialability-all factors known to strengthen implementation. The level of complexity and low financial compatibility emerged as the strongest potential inhibitors to program implementation in the context examined. The two main factors contributing to complexity were the need to challenge balance safely across a broad range of capability, and practical considerations associated with program delivery. A range of strategies to provide more technical support for exercise program leaders to tailor balance challenge for exercise program leaders may enhance implem...

Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 2013

ABSTRACT Interest in the potential of improvisation to enhance safety outcomes in safety critical... more ABSTRACT Interest in the potential of improvisation to enhance safety outcomes in safety critical situations has been increasing; however, improvisation also has the potential to make emergency situations worse rather than better. If organisations are to capitalise on improvisation's potential to produce safety benefits, a model of the factors that influence its effectiveness in safety critical situations is needed. This review draws together what is currently known about the factors influencing improvisation and the methods used to examine them. The review reveals that, unlike most contemporary ergonomics concepts, as yet no research has examined factors beyond organisational boundaries or examined the interactions of factors across different systems levels, both integral components of systems-based models. In closing, discussion is presented on the most appropriate research agenda for enhancing understanding of improvisation and its influencing factors.

Safety Science, 2014

ABSTRACT Effective, appropriate improvisation has the potential to enhance system resilience, yet... more ABSTRACT Effective, appropriate improvisation has the potential to enhance system resilience, yet the phenomenon is currently not well understood. This research tests the notion that improvisation is a systems phenomenon and examines the appropriateness of Rasmussen’s (1997) Risk Management Framework and Accimap methodology for examining the factors influencing improvisation in safety critical situations. Impromaps (improvisation Accimaps) were used to determine whether the factors identified as influencing improvisation in two case studies met the predictions made by Rasmussen’s Risk Management Framework. The findings indicate improvisation is a systems phenomenon and support the use the Framework and Impromaps as an analysis methodology for the examination of improvisation incidents. The methodology allowed the identification of factors across all levels of both systems, and was able to describe the relationships between factors both within and across the system levels. It is concluded that Impromaps are applicable to improvisations occurring in different domains and resulting in positive as well as negative outcomes.

Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 2014

The extent to which best practice for falls prevention is being routinely delivered by health car... more The extent to which best practice for falls prevention is being routinely delivered by health care providers for community-dwelling older adults is unclear. We investigated falls prevention practice among Hospital Admission Risk Programs (HARP) that provide and coordinate specialized health care for people at high risk of hospitalization. Cross-sectional survey of all HARP services in Victoria, excluding one paediatric programme (n = 34). The questionnaire focused upon medication review and exercise prescription, as these are the evidence-based falls interventions with a good fit with HARP services. Completed questionnaires were received from 24 programmes (70.6%) that service 15,250 older clients (60+ years). All except one programme screened for medicine use; however, a lower proportion (65% of those that screen) target falls risk medications. Among the 17 programmes responding to the exercise prescription question, all routinely include strengthening exercises, and almost all (n = 15) include flexibility, endurance training and movement of the centre of gravity. A lesser proportion (71%) includes reducing the need for upper limb support. The majority of services (88%) undertake falls risk assessments, and all of these either make referral appointments for clients or refer to other services that make referral appointments for clients. Follow-up of appointments and the resulting recommendations was high. Screening for falls risk medications could be improved and staff training in exercise prescription for balance challenge in this high-risk group may be needed. Although evidence-based falls prevention practice within Victorian HARP services appears strong, the effect on falls risk may not be as high as that achieved in randomized trials.

Applied Ergonomics, 2011

Australian road and railway authorities have made a concerted effort to reduce the number of rail... more Australian road and railway authorities have made a concerted effort to reduce the number of rail level crossings, particularly the higher risk passive crossings that are protected by devices such as 'give way' or 'stop' signs. To improve this situation, passive level crossings are often upgraded with active controls such as flashing red lights. Traffic signals may provide good safety outcomes at level crossings but remain untested. The primary purpose of this research was to compare driver behaviour at two railway level crossings with active controls, flashing red lights and traffic signals, to behaviour at the current standard passive level crossing control, a stop sign. Participants drove the MUARC advanced driving simulator for 30 min. During the simulated drive, participants were exposed to three level crossing scenarios. Each scenario consisted of one of three level crossing control types, and was associated with an oncoming train. Mean vehicle speed on approach to the level crossings decreased more rapidly in response to flashing lights than to traffic signals. While speed on approach was lowest for the stop-sign condition, the number of non-compliant drivers (i.e., those who did not stop) at the crossing was highest for this condition. While results indicate that traffic signals at rail level crossings do not appear to offer any safety benefits over and above flashing red lights, further avenues of research are proposed to reach more definitive conclusions. Compliance was lowest for the passive crossing control which provides further support for the ongoing passive crossing upgrades in Australia.

Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2012

This project aimed to provide a greater understanding of the systemic factors involved in mining ... more This project aimed to provide a greater understanding of the systemic factors involved in mining accidents, and to examine those organisational and supervisory failures that are predictive of sub-standard performance at operator level. A sample of 263 significant mining incidents in Australia across 2007-2008 were analysed using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). Two human factors specialists independently undertook the analysis. Incidents occurred more frequently in operations concerning the use of surface mobile equipment (38%) and working at heights (21%), however injury was more frequently associated with electrical operations and vehicles and machinery. Several HFACS categories appeared frequently: skill-based errors (64%) and violations (57%), issues with the physical environment (56%), and organisational processes (65%). Focussing on the overall system, several factors were found to predict the presence of failures in other parts of the system, including planned inappropriate operations and team resource management; inadequate supervision and team resource management; and organisational climate and inadequate supervision. It is recommended that these associations deserve greater attention in future attempts to develop accident countermeasures, although other significant associations should not be ignored. In accordance with findings from previous HFACS-based analyses of aviation and medical incidents, efforts to reduce the frequency of unsafe acts or operations should be directed to a few critical HFACS categories at the higher levels: organisational climate, planned inadequate operations, and inadequate supervision. While remedial strategies are proposed it is important that future efforts evaluate the utility of the measures proposed in studies of system safety.

Enhancing evacuee safety is a key factor in reducing the number of injuries and deaths that resul... more Enhancing evacuee safety is a key factor in reducing the number of injuries and deaths that result from earthquakes. This can be achieved by designing safer buildings taking into account behavioral factors and by training occupants. However, traditional approaches such as evacuation drills cannot be used in buildings in which occupants cannot easily leave the building (e.g. hospitals). In addition, these traditional approaches may not provide the intended learning outcomes and do not allow for the investigation of the impact of multiple evacuation factors on behavior. Virtual Reality (VR) and Serious Games (SG), i.e. games having education (in its various forms) as the primary goal, represent novel and effective alternatives to overcome the limitations of traditional approaches. We discuss the advantages and limitations of using VR SGs to investigate how building occupants behave during earthquake evacuations and to train building occupants to cope with such emergencies. We explore the key design components to develop the VR SG framework namely (a) what features constitute an earthquake event; (b) which types of buildings can be selected and how they should be represented within the VR environment; (c) how damage to the building is to be determined and represented; (d) what factors need to be included for agent behavior in earthquakes; and (e) what level of interaction should there be between agents and the human players. We highlight the important aspects that need to be addressed in further research to effectively develop VR SG tools for earthquake evacuation training.