HFES Home
Overview
Current Newsletter
Next Meeting
Job Openings
Membership
Sites of Interest
Newsletter
Updated: June 27
| Site
Contents: HFES Home Overview Current Newsletter Next Meeting Job Openings Membership Sites of Interest |
|
NewsletterUpdated: June 27 |
| June '99 | Volume 34 Number 5 |
|
|
http://www.erols.com/hfespoc |
|
We’ll be starting our regular program again in the fall with a dinner meeting on September 22nd featuring Larry Schleifer speaking on industrial ergonomics/micro work breaks. Our next newsletter in September will have meeting details.
Jack Laveson
Please keep those cards and letters coming! The Local Chapter and this newsletter can be a valuable means of keeping each other informed of news and happenings that are of interest to kindred spirits. So please take the time to contribute items that you think will be of interest. For example, news of upcoming events, job openings, recently published books or articles, re-locations or new positions, calls for papers, news of government contract initiatives or strategic plans, book reviews, methodological notes, or provocative opinion pieces are all hereby solicited. Practically anything that is not blatantly self-promotional is fair game (subtly self-promotional is probably inevitable). You can submit your contributions by e-mail (dhorst@userworks.com), phone (301-431-0500), fax (301-431-4834) or mail to:
Tuesday, June 29, 1999
Reagan National Airport
Tour of the Air Traffic Control Tower at Reagan National Airport. We will tour the facility in small groups. The tour will take 30-45 minutes and there will be three start times – at 11:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. We need to sign up ahead of time (see below). Anyone interested in attending one of the tours needs to arrive about 10 minutes early so each tour group can start on time. The tower staff will start the groups at 30-minute intervals, so if a group starts late, all the groups behind them are late as well.
Anyone who is NOT a US citizen must identify themselves to Dino Piccione when they make their reservation so that additional arrangements can be made through the FAA public affairs office.
Directions:
DIRECTIONS TO REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT:
By Metro: Take the Yellow or Blue line to National Airport. Exit the Metro train using the North end of the platform toward Terminal C. Exit the Metro station and turn to the right towards Terminal C using the walkway. At the end of the walkway take an immediate left, go past the elevators into a small entryway with a plaque on the wall that indicates it is a Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration facility. There is a call box mounted on the wall with a push button. Use the call box to announce your presence and that you are with the Human Factors Society tour.
By Car: Drive to National Airport via Route 1 or the George Washington Parkway. Use the hourly parking garage. Walk toward the garage exit at the North end that takes you to Terminal C. Walk past the Metro station entrance and continue straight down the walkway toward Terminal C. At the end of the walkway take an immediate left, go past the elevators into a small entryway with a plaque on the wall that indicates it is a Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration facility. There is a call box mounted on the wall with a push button. Use the call box to announce your presence and that you are with the Human Factors Society tour.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note – We have a standing offer to Student Members of the Chapter: Dinner
at a monthly meeting FOR FREE if you write up a synopsis of the meeting for publication in
the Newsletter. Contact the Newsletter Editor when interested.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Tom Granda, the Team Leader of Human Centered Systems, described two areas of human factors research at the Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC). These were Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and highway safety, both of which examine driver capabilities and limitations. ITS research includes such topics as driver interaction with in-vehicle information systems such as navigation devices, the integration of multiple in-vehicle information systems, icon development and evaluation, behavioral modeling for in-vehicle device usage, and traffic management center operator issues. Highway safety research includes such topics as older driver research, behavioral aspects of roadway geometrics, navigating through work/maintenance zones, and signing and pavement markings. At the end of his presentation, Tom provided the audience with copies of a CD containing fliers (short two-page, result-oriented documentations), final reports, and technical guidelines related to recent human factors and safety research at the TFHRC.
Don’t miss our upcoming chapter meetings (details to follow in due time):
July, August - No meetings during summer
September 22 - Larry Schliefer - Internal Revenue Service, topic – Industrial Ergonomics/Micro Work Breaks
October 27 - Jake Pauls, topic -- Safety of Stair Design
Late November or early December – Robert Sumwalt, an airline pilot and chairperson of the Air Line Pilots Associations’ HF and Ergonomics Committee.
There are still a variety of opportunities available to serve the Chapter and the field of Human Factors and Ergonomics. One of these opportunities is as Membership and Directory Chair of the Chapter. If you would like to volunteer for this position or would like to learn more about the duties and opportunities regarding the position, please contact Doug Griffith at 703- 528-5250, extension 4120 or via e-mail at dkgriffith@erols.com.
We also need a Local Arrangements Chair. This person would coordinate locations for the Chapter’s monthly meetings and interact with the food service people at the meeting place. If interested, please contact Jack Laveson at 703-642-3677 or by e-mail at: j.i.laveson@ieee.org.
The second, and final, dues notices for 1999 have been mailed. No additional mailings are planned. Failure to respond promptly could result in being dropped from the membership roles and being omitted from the 1999 directory.
Dues are $25 for members and associates, and $15 for students. Corporate memberships are $100. If you are at least 60 years old or disabled and retired from the field of human factors, you are eligible for emeritus status. The emeritus status entails a one-time payment of $40 for a lifetime of membership benefits.
If there are any questions or problems, please contact me via email at dkgriffith@erols.com or by phone at 703 528 5250 x4120.
Many thanks to those of you who have already mailed their dues for your prompt response and for your continuing support.
Doug Griffith
HFESPOC Membership Chair
In Memorium
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John H. Hill on November 16,
1998. John was a loyal member of the chapter for 32 years.
New Job
Dino Piccione has started a new job with the FAA. His phone number is (202) 366-0128 and
his email address is dino.piccione@faa.gov.
Website Maintenance
After taking a few months off to give birth and get acquainted with her new son, Penny
Church is back at work maintaining her other baby, the HFESPOC website. Please send your
requests for web site changes to hfespoc@erols.com
or penny_church@hotmail.com.
George Mason University - August 6 to 9, 1999
ACT-R is a cognitive theory and simulation system for developing cognitive models for tasks that vary from simple reaction time to air traffic control. Each year a workshop is held to enable current users to exchange results and ideas. The sixth Annual ACT-R Workshop will be held at George Mason University, outside of Washington, DC, from August 6 to 9 1999. Current users, potential users, and knowledgeable observers of cognitive science are invited to attend.
The workshop will take place from the evening of Friday, August 6 through the afternoon of Monday August 9. The pre-workshop will begin Friday morning with a one-day tutorial introduction to ACT-R. The tutorial is suitable for users of other modeling systems as well as for knowledgeable observers of cognitive science. (There is an additional $75 fee for the tutorial.)
A reception and poster session will be held Friday evening. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings will be devoted to a series of research presentations, each lasting from 15 to 30 minutes. Afternoons will feature discussion sessions and instructional tutorials. Evenings will be occupied by demonstration sessions during which participants can gain a more detailed knowledge of the models presented and engage in unstructured discussions.
Admission to the workshop is open to all. Registration by August 1st is $175.00. On-site registration is $225.00. Tutorial (Friday, August 6th) is $75.00. Registration Fees include Proceedings, Continental Breakfasts and Lunch on 8/7, 8/8, 8/9; Reception on 8/6; and Workshop Banquet on 8/7 or 8/8.
Posters and Demonstrations: Abstract due July 1st. One-page, camera-ready copy due August 1st.
Papers: Due date for abstracts has already past. Camera-ready copy is due August 1st.
Registration: Registration by August 1st is $175.00. On-site registration is $225.00. Tutorial (Friday, August 6th) is $75.00. Registration Fees include Proceedings, Continental Breakfasts and Lunch on 8/7, 8/8, 8/9; Reception on 8/6; and Workshop Banquet on 8/7 or 8/8.
Suggestions for the topics of the discussion sessions or for tutorials on some aspect of ACT-R are welcomed. Topics do not have to be limited to ACT-R, but may include general issues dealing with some aspect of computational cognitive modeling or unified theories of cognition.
On-campus housing and reduced rates at local hotels will be available. Housing is available in GMU housing that offers suite-style single-occupancy rooms with shared bathroom. Rooms are air-conditioned. Local phone service is available for an additional $5 charge. Rates are $33/day/person. PAYMENT FOR ROOMS WILL BE COLLECTED AT CHECK-IN TIME.
Off-campus housing is available in the Comfort Inn for $65.00/day/room (single or double occupancy). Room includes continental breakfast and shuttle service to and from GMU. Contact Comfort Inn directly at 703-591-5900 or 800-223-1223. Refer to code GMU-0806. Additional information (detailed schedule, etc.) will appear on the Human Factors and Applied Cognitive Web site (http://hfac.gmu.edu/~actr99) when available or can be requested.
Addresses for submissions and for more information:
1999 ACT-R Workshop
George Mason University
Psychology Department
Human Factors & Applied Cognitive Program
MSN 3F5 Attn: Jane Blechman
Fairfax, VA 22030
Fax: +1 (703) 993-1330 Tel: +1 (703) 993-2104
Email: jblechma@gmu.edu
Web site (http://hfac.gmu.edu/~actr99)
The Washington Metropolitan Federal Safety and Health Council is planning a safety conference for employees in the federal government and private sector who have safety responsibilities for federal and corporation installations throughout the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.
The program is scheduled for July 1, 1999 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Quality Hotel and Conference Center, CourtHouse Plaza, Arlington, VA.
Last years program attracted approximately 300 safety professionals from throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. This year they are attempting to significantly increase audience participation.
For further information, please contact Curtis M. Wolridge, Vice Chairman, at (202) 401-1301 or by fax at (202) 401-8568.
Internship, GE Information Services, Inc.
Job Description: The User Interface group at GE Information Services, Inc. is seeking applicants for six-month to one-year positions as paid student interns at our Rockville, Maryland headquarters. GE Information Services is a leading, worldwide provider of electronic commerce services such as Supply Chain Management, Logistics, and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). The User Interface group consults to design, develop, and test user interfaces of commercial business products on various delivery platforms (e.g., web and Windows '95).
Student interns work primarily in our Usability Lab collecting and analyzing data, producing recommendations for improving product usability, and reporting results to cross-functional product development teams. In addition, student interns work with user interface professionals to complete various user interface design activities (e.g., task analysis, prototyping, standards writing) as part of the software development lifecycle.
Deadlines: For positions starting in May/June, submit resume by April 1st. For positions starting in Aug/Sept, submit resume by June 1st. For positions starting in December/January, submit resume by October 10.
Send or E-Mail Resumes To:
Kelly Pritchard
401 North Washington Street
Mailstop MC03A
Rockville, MD 20850
Kelly.pritchard@geis.ge.com
Human Factors Integration Engineer, Nichols Advanced Marine
Provide Human Factors Engineering support to all phases of the LPD 17 detailed design process.
1) Review of 3D models and mock-ups and alternative designs for
accepted human factors, ergonomics, and safety practices
2) Provide recommendations with respect to the integration of Sailors and Marines in
system and facility designs
3) Review of human factors and system safety analyses
4) Support of goals of effectiveness, efficiency, simplicity, error reduction, safety and
health, training, maintenance
1) MS in Human Factors/Ergonomics
1) Work experiences should be broad but centered around the human and
the human interaction with the design
2) Prior military experience a plus, particularly US Navy service
3) Use and application of applicable human factors and safety standards
1) Be able to manage several projects at once
2) Be able to communicate effectively
3) Be a self-starter, require little direction or assistance
This position is in Crystal City, VA. For more information, visit
www.nichols.com, select "employment", and see Job # 50-99-101.Submit Resumes to: dc2resumes@nichols.com
For further information contact:
Kevin McSweeney
(504) 437-3389
mcsweeneykp@lpd17.navsea.navy.mil
New Scientific Discovery
The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by investigators at a major US research university. The element, tentatively named "Administratium", has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of O. However, it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons. It is also surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.
Since it has no electrons, Administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of Administratium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occurred in less than a second.
Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganization.
Research at other laboratories indicates that Administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies and large corporations, although small institutions are not immune to its effects. It can usually be found in the newest, best appointed, and best maintained buildings.
Scientists point out that Administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how Administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising.
|
Recent Meetings:
January, 1999 February, 1999 March, 1999 April, 1999 May, 1999 |
Coming Attractions: June 29, 1999 September 22, 1999 October 27, 1999 Nov/Dec, 1999 |
