Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ENHANCE (ENHANCing Human Performance in Complex Socio-Technical SystEms)
Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-11-30
During the past 40 years, ships have become larger – up to 650% – to increase cargo- and human-carrying capacities, while crews are getting smaller – up to 60% compared to 40 years ago (Mallam, 2016). Hence, the consequences of an incident and a single error also increase, as does the exposure risk.
Technological advancements, including automation of onboard systems, have become desirable to shipping companies’ due to their contribution to increasing efficiency (Grech, Horberry & Koester, 2008; Progoulaki & Roe, 2011). There is a clear and increasingly pressing need for the sector to increase the technological and human-factors core competencies of crew members to better manage complex, modern maritime vessels that have the potential to deliver catastrophic outcomes. Despite this, the maritime sector is reluctant to adopt new and innovative requirements, including training. This is particularly clear where additional expenditure is required, which is made worse by current economic strains that have led to cost-cutting in the sector (Allianz GCS, 2017). Our research has identified the processing industry as an ideal comparator and knowledge donor (and recipient) as it is considerably further ahead in combating human error through training and assessment and has many similarities with maritime sector. ENHANCE will improve the effectiveness of human factors training in the maritime sector by combining and applying multidisciplinary knowledge, capabilities and world-class facilities to research, create and validate a new approach to high-level, collaborative training, which ultimately reaches the developers and deliverers of training courses and the end users themselves. This project aims to “ENHANCE human performance in complex socio-technical systems” through a validated training and assessment package combining technological and human-factor core competencies. This will enable crew members to better manage complex, modern maritime vessels and be more resilient and adaptive to dynamic operating environments. The aims will be achieved through the following objectives (1) Increase the understanding of the current training practices and the human role in complex socio-technical systems by extensive sharing of knowledge, practices, and experiences among the research institutions, industrial partners across disciplines and countries. (2) Develop and validate improved and effective training and assessment packages - consisting of manuals, protocols, effective use of immersive technologies, online repository, software tools, handbooks - for enhancing the competence of maritime and process operators based on the state-of-the-art of training science. (3) Stimulate the academic community to create a legacy of maritime socio-technical research.
Technological advancements, including automation of onboard systems, have become desirable to shipping companies’ due to their contribution to increasing efficiency (Grech, Horberry & Koester, 2008; Progoulaki & Roe, 2011). There is a clear and increasingly pressing need for the sector to increase the technological and human-factors core competencies of crew members to better manage complex, modern maritime vessels that have the potential to deliver catastrophic outcomes. Despite this, the maritime sector is reluctant to adopt new and innovative requirements, including training. This is particularly clear where additional expenditure is required, which is made worse by current economic strains that have led to cost-cutting in the sector (Allianz GCS, 2017). Our research has identified the processing industry as an ideal comparator and knowledge donor (and recipient) as it is considerably further ahead in combating human error through training and assessment and has many similarities with maritime sector. ENHANCE will improve the effectiveness of human factors training in the maritime sector by combining and applying multidisciplinary knowledge, capabilities and world-class facilities to research, create and validate a new approach to high-level, collaborative training, which ultimately reaches the developers and deliverers of training courses and the end users themselves. This project aims to “ENHANCE human performance in complex socio-technical systems” through a validated training and assessment package combining technological and human-factor core competencies. This will enable crew members to better manage complex, modern maritime vessels and be more resilient and adaptive to dynamic operating environments. The aims will be achieved through the following objectives (1) Increase the understanding of the current training practices and the human role in complex socio-technical systems by extensive sharing of knowledge, practices, and experiences among the research institutions, industrial partners across disciplines and countries. (2) Develop and validate improved and effective training and assessment packages - consisting of manuals, protocols, effective use of immersive technologies, online repository, software tools, handbooks - for enhancing the competence of maritime and process operators based on the state-of-the-art of training science. (3) Stimulate the academic community to create a legacy of maritime socio-technical research.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to the execution of this project, resulting in constraints on resources and delays. Despite these challenges, the project has achieved substantial progress and achieved most of the objectives.
Researchers and subject matter experts (SMEs) identified similarities of human involvement in both industries (maritime and process) and provided relevant performance indicators (PIs). Human factors constructs, such as Situation Awareness (SA) and Mental Workload (MWL) have been analysed. Key performance indicators (KPI’s) for critical incidences have been developed.
Collaboration between academia and industries enabled comprehensive analysis of current training methods in process and maritime industries, focused on strengths and weaknesses of existing practices.
An expanded analysis of PIs with general equations of KPI was derived based on the employment of Human Reliability Assessment (HRA) methods. A Risk Matrix was established, and marine pilot reliability was determined. Bayesian Network-based modelling was used to explore how to reduce task complexity and human error. Human performance metrics were evaluated to help build new training approaches.
The potential of virtual reality (VR) in maritime training was studied using literature reviews, PhD research, and secondments. A statistical power analysis was completed to guide future study. Communication plans included a project website, data management plan and dissemination using academic networks, social media, and media outlets.
Workshop, seminars, publications (26+) and conferences (13+) supported enhancing partnerships and build visibility about the necessity of improving training methodologies.
Researchers and subject matter experts (SMEs) identified similarities of human involvement in both industries (maritime and process) and provided relevant performance indicators (PIs). Human factors constructs, such as Situation Awareness (SA) and Mental Workload (MWL) have been analysed. Key performance indicators (KPI’s) for critical incidences have been developed.
Collaboration between academia and industries enabled comprehensive analysis of current training methods in process and maritime industries, focused on strengths and weaknesses of existing practices.
An expanded analysis of PIs with general equations of KPI was derived based on the employment of Human Reliability Assessment (HRA) methods. A Risk Matrix was established, and marine pilot reliability was determined. Bayesian Network-based modelling was used to explore how to reduce task complexity and human error. Human performance metrics were evaluated to help build new training approaches.
The potential of virtual reality (VR) in maritime training was studied using literature reviews, PhD research, and secondments. A statistical power analysis was completed to guide future study. Communication plans included a project website, data management plan and dissemination using academic networks, social media, and media outlets.
Workshop, seminars, publications (26+) and conferences (13+) supported enhancing partnerships and build visibility about the necessity of improving training methodologies.
ENHANCE project has gone beyond the current state of the art of knowledge and capacity building between academic and industry as well as between maritime and process industry exchange. This effort expanded on current training frameworks by supporting innovative training methods that involve the integration of modern training modalities such as Virtual Reality (VR) for immersive operator education.
Academic research and industry collaborations have established the usefulness of VR-based training for increasing operator skills. Secondments across sectors enabled ENHANCE to participate in the creation of standards and best practices for operator training in the maritime and process industries. We believe the impact will last as the collaboration will continue beyond the life of project.
Results gained are predicted to help industries, national governments, regional authorities and decision makers aiming at the reduction of incidents by improving human performance. This could save hundreds of human lives and reduce economic losses. To support this goal, the consortium promoted the ENHANCE initiative globally through publications, media, newspapers, and other dissemination efforts.
This project also enhanced the quality of the universities involved. For instance, Norway established its first Centre of Excellence in Maritime Simulator Training and Assessment at USN. Therefore, taking the legacy of ENHANCE further.
In conclusion, it is expected that ENHANCE members will continue to participate in conferences and publish articles together in order to disseminate the results obtained and further apply additional funding related to Human Factors, Safety, operator training and system thinking.
Academic research and industry collaborations have established the usefulness of VR-based training for increasing operator skills. Secondments across sectors enabled ENHANCE to participate in the creation of standards and best practices for operator training in the maritime and process industries. We believe the impact will last as the collaboration will continue beyond the life of project.
Results gained are predicted to help industries, national governments, regional authorities and decision makers aiming at the reduction of incidents by improving human performance. This could save hundreds of human lives and reduce economic losses. To support this goal, the consortium promoted the ENHANCE initiative globally through publications, media, newspapers, and other dissemination efforts.
This project also enhanced the quality of the universities involved. For instance, Norway established its first Centre of Excellence in Maritime Simulator Training and Assessment at USN. Therefore, taking the legacy of ENHANCE further.
In conclusion, it is expected that ENHANCE members will continue to participate in conferences and publish articles together in order to disseminate the results obtained and further apply additional funding related to Human Factors, Safety, operator training and system thinking.