Browsing by Author "Manikath, Elizabeth"

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    Evaluating cause-effect relationships in accident investigation using HFACS-DEMATEL
    (Springer, 2024-07-01) Chan, Wesley Tsz-Kin; Li, Wen-Chin; Nichanian, Arthur; Manikath, Elizabeth
    This paper addresses the ‘routes to failure’ in the causal chain of events as categorized using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework. By using the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to evaluate the comparative influence of each HFACS category on other categories, the present research aims to classify each HFACS category as either an overall ‘cause’ or an overall ‘effect’ factor, and to give each HFACS category a comparable statistical value of their overall level of influence. Analysis of N = 30 responses from aviation safety experts identified that frontline perception faults had the potential to influence higher-level preconditions, and that ‘Environmental Factors’ were found to have the highest overall influence amongst HFACS categories at levels 1 and 2. The findings support the use of the DEMATEL method in the selection and direction of safety interventions. Safety remedies focusing on ‘cause’ factors are likely to have additional second-order benefits on associated ‘effects’, and more influential categories are likely to be more effective in influencing overall system safety. The methodology can assist safety managers in selecting and prioritizing safety initiatives, especially when faced with issues such as monetary or time constraints in the industrial context.
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    Usability assessment on existing alerting designs for emergency communication between passengers and cabin crews
    (German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics (DGLR: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt), 2024-01-10) Manikath, Elizabeth; Li, Wen-Chin; Piotrowski, Pawel
    Since the deregulation of commercial air travel afterWorldWar II, airlines are forced to differentiate their product in competition with each other. Whereas providing enhanced service during flight is the only way how airlines can fight for passengers. Unfortunately, this need for competition reduces flight attendants main responsibility in public perception as serving refreshments and keeping the cabin tidy. However, the key role of cabin crew is to ensure safety and security. Flight attendants need to handle multiple unexpected situations in a professional manner. A mean for communicating with cabin crew is the Passenger Call Button. The button is not solely used by passengers, but also commonly used by flight attendants in their routine. Research question. This paper explores how the current design is being used by passengers and cabin crew and its limitations during daily operations. Methodology. Two separate questionnaires were distributed to passengers and cabin crew to assess how the PCB is being used and what the limitations of the current design are. Results. The Passenger Call Button is mainly used for service requests. There is an association between travel duration and use of the PCB, as well as there is an association between travel class and the use of the PCB. Passengers as well as cabin crew stated that the existing design is not enabling discreet communication. Discussion. The results highlight the design flaws of the existing alerting design. Passengers as well as cabin crew use the PCB for their own communication practices. Training on how to use the device are missing. The results stress the need for an improved design and training needs. Conclusion. It is necessary to decouple the emergency alerting function from the service function to improve delayed response times. To support cabin crew during emergencies it is important to include an emergency alerting device.