Operator Loading Tasks

The rationale of measuring operator workload in terms of auxiliary, or secondary task performance scores is reviewed and a set of standardized tasks which would be useful in obtaining more nearly comparable measures over a wide range of primary tasks are suggested.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is: (1) To review the rationale of measuring operator workload in terms of auxiliary, or secondary task performance scores; (2) To summarize the important characteristics of suitable loading tasks; (3) To describe several loading tasks which have been used or which are potentially useful; and(4) To suggest the development of a set of standardized tasks which would be useful in obtaining more nearly comparable measures over a wide range of primary tasks.