Work - Volume 70, issue 3

Authors: Verma, Indresh Kumar | Karmakar, Sougata

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Both professional and personal car drivers use smartphones as In-Vehicle Infotainment System (IVIS) and generally mount it wherever they feel convenient. Inappropriate or sub-optimal positioning of navigation devices increases off-road eye-glance duration and fixation frequency. OBJECTIVE: The current research aimed to develop a smartphone holding device to facilitate the mobile-phone’s easy mounting on the steering wheel’s hub, ensuring the screen’s visibility at a comfortable viewing angle in a vertical upright position irrespective of the steering wheel’s rotation. METHODS: A systematic product design methodology was adopted to develop the final product. The morphological chart was adopted …for generating the different concepts of the smartphone mounting device. A Pugh chart was used for screening the various concepts generated in the previous step. Finally, a prototype of the selected best concept was made. User acceptance was assessed by taking feedback from users, and System Usability Scale (SUS) was used for usability evaluation. RESULTS: The developed innovative mounting device was light-weight and easy to use (SUS score 83.5). The final prototype was very effective in changing the angle of the smartphone to facilitate easy visibility at a comfortable viewing angle through the use of a ball and socket mechanism at the base. A ball bearing system was used in the mobile-phone holder for maintaining vertical stationary position during steering wheel rotation. CONCLUSION: As the device is useful for mounting the smartphone on the steering wheel’s hub, it might reduce driver distraction. Show more

Keywords: Driver distraction, automobile accessories, viewing comfort, design methods, usability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213618

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 985-996, 2021

Authors: Boye, Michael W. | Cohen, Bruce S. | Canino, Maria C. | Foulis, Stephen A. | Sharp, Marilyn A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In 2013 the U.S. Army began developing physical tests to predict a recruit’s ability to perform the critical physically demanding tasks (CPDTs) of combat arms jobs not previously open to women. OBJECTIVE: To revalidate 15 CPDTs chosen by subject matter experts (SMEs) and researchers through questionnaires pertaining to task performance frequency, perceived importance, and performance expectations. METHOD: Web-administered job analysis questionnaires were completed by 2,090 soldiers. Seventy-three percent ranged between 25–38 years of age, 66%were staff sergeants or above, and 73%were in service for 7 + years. RESULTS: Overall, the nine SME-endorsed CPDTs were conducted …more frequently and rated as more important than the six tasks identified by researchers. Foot march, dragging a casualty to safety, and connecting a tow bar (vehicle transport) were identified as the combined most important, most frequently performed and highly expected CPDTs to be performed. The canonical correlation between task performance frequencies and ratings of task importance across all 15 CPDTs was 0.82 (p  < 0.001). Expectations of task completion were strongly associated with more frequent task performance (Cramer’s Vs ranged 0.22 to 0.71; all p ’s < 0.001), but not task importance (only four CPDTs at p  < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study revalidates the value of CPDTs chosen by SMEs and researchers. Soldier readiness should reflect tasks identified by incumbents as important to success (e.g., evacuating a casualty) be trained more often, whereas others classified as frequently performed, but less important (e.g., filling sandbags), be deemphasized while ensuring that standards are met. Show more

Keywords: Military effectiveness, common tasks, military tasks, physical demands, job analysis

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213619

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 997-1007, 2021