UQ Researchers are developing a rigorous method to vastly improve safety in critical human­computer interactions including air-traffic control.

The SafeHCI project involves researchers from both the Software Verification Research Centre (SVRC) and the Key Centre for Human Factors and Applied Cognitive Psychology.

The new method is based on formal models of operators' cognitive processes, analysis of the causes of operator error and their contribution to system risk. The new method is being developed on an Air Traffic Control (ATC) case study.

A paper outlining the project was presented at the 2001 Australasian User Interface Conference. From the study, a new approach to Human Error Identification has been developed.

Key contributors to the project are Professor Peter Lindsay and Simon Connelly from the SVRC and Professor Michael Humphreys and Dr Andrew Neal from the Key Centre.

The project received a $240 million Australian Research Council (ARC) large grant in 2001.

Professor Lindsay was recently announced as UQ's new $1.55 million (over five years) Boeing Chair of Systems Engineering. The Chair will boost Australia's capacity to build and design complex engineering systems and enable UQ to take on a leadership role in the area. Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said Boeing's funding would enable UQ to establish one of the few systems engineering programs in the country. Systems engineering involves the design and building of large systems such as a modern airliner. Boeing Vice-President Patrick Gill said Boeing Australia, with its Brisbane headquarters, had a continual requirement for highly capable engineers to work on advanced projects including the Wedgetail airborne early warning and control system for the Commonwealth.

Professor Peter Lindsay www.uq.edu.au/uqresearchers/researcher/lindsaypa.html

Professor Michael Humphreys www.uq.edu.au/uqresearchers/researcher/humphreysms.html

Dr Andrew Neal www.uq.edu.au/uqresearchers/researcher/nealaf.html

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