Assessment of Computer Modeling of Operator Mental Workload during Target Acquisition

Abstract

The predictive validity of computer simulation modeling of operator mental workload and situational awareness (SA) during a simulated air-to-ground combat mission was assessed in the present study. In Phase I, 12 participants completed a series of combat missions in a laboratory flight simulator and provided subjective ratings of workload (using the SWAT) and SA (using the SART). In Phase II, computer models of the mission were constructed using the Micro Saint modeling tool. The visual, auditory, kinesthetic, cognitive, and psychomotor components of the workload associated with each task were estimated and used to obtain measures of average and peak workload. The results from the simulated combat missions versus the Micro Saint models were similar but not identical, indicating that the computer models were partially but not completely valid predictors of mental workload and SA. The computer modeling appeared to be a more effective predictor of SA rather than mental workload.

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