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Human Factors Engineering in Complex Socio-Technical Systems
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Human Factors Engineering in Complex Socio-Technical Systems

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Computing and Artificial Intelligence".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 1467

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Dong-Han Ham

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
Interests: cognitive systems engineering; human–computer interaction; system safety engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human factors engineering (HFE) can be described as a discipline that aims to design usable, safe, productive, and pleasurable products or systems that people should interact with in their daily activities or professional work. For this purpose, HFE follows the philosophy of ‘human-centered design’ and draws on concepts, principles, frameworks, models, and processes from cognitive psychology, design science, systems engineering, computer science, management, and so on. HFE is one of the most representative multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary subjects. However, even though HFE can be applied to any kind of product or systems, it has several peculiar characteristics when it is concerned with the analysis, design, evaluation, operation, and disposal of complex socio-technical systems such as nuclear power plants, airplanes and air traffic control systems, advanced manufacturing systems, intelligent transportation systems, and so on. HFE in such a system requires a comprehensive work domain analysis, as well as a task analysis. Of several performance or quality attributes, safety is the most important attribute in a complex socio-technical system. Thus, the main focus of HFE in such a system is the design of a safe working environment and the safe operation of the system. As advanced information technologies are increasingly introduced in a complex socio-technical system, cognitive issues when human users interact with these systems become increasingly important. This Special Issue aims to introduce state-of-the-art research on HFE in a complex socio-technical system. The typical research topics include the following:

Cognitive work analysis, work domain analysis, cognitive task analysis, cognition and complexity, cognitive performance issues, joint cognitive systems, human–computer interaction in complex systems, human–computer joint intelligent systems, human performance modeling, human errors, human reliability, system safety, resilience engineering, training systems development, human–machine interfaces, information displays and controls for complex systems.

Prof. Dr. Dong-Han Ham
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • human factors engineering
  • cognitive systems engineering
  • human–machine interaction
  • system safety
  • resilience engineering
  • socio-technical systems
  • human performance

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 3581 KiB  
Article
Team-Communication Modeling Framework for Multi-Unit Nuclear Power Plant Accident Analysis
by Shelly Salim, Seon-Yeong Yeom and Dong-Han Ham
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 5096; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15095096 - 3 May 2025
Viewed by 411
Abstract
A multi-unit nuclear accident is an accident that damages the nuclear core and occurs in multiple units simultaneously in a nuclear power plant. Its massive consequences have triggered extensive studies on accident prevention and mitigation. In this study, we are interested in the [...] Read more.
A multi-unit nuclear accident is an accident that damages the nuclear core and occurs in multiple units simultaneously in a nuclear power plant. Its massive consequences have triggered extensive studies on accident prevention and mitigation. In this study, we are interested in the emergency-response teams involved in multi-unit accident management. Multiple emergency-response teams need to interact with each other during multi-unit accident-management tasks, and the basis of team interactions is communication. Thus, we propose a team-communication modeling framework consisting of three models, i.e., a team-communication investigation model, process model, and performance-factor model. The methods used to develop each model are described. Also, an analysis methodology is provided to guide the application of the modeling framework, and a case study based on a multi-unit accident scenario is performed to confirm the feasibility of our study. The final results of the case study are four specialized models developed by applying the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM), each covering a specific scope of the accident scenario, with the functions and aspects elaborated to support team-communication analysis. Modeling insights are collected and can be applied to improve accident-training scenarios, procedure/guideline development, and accident-management support systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Factors Engineering in Complex Socio-Technical Systems)
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15 pages, 3968 KiB  
Article
Innovative Detachable Two-Way Wheelchair Propulsion System: Enhancing Mobility and Exercise for Spinal Cord Injury Users
by Jiyoung Park, Eunchae Kang, Seon-Deok Eun and Dongheon Kang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 4663; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094663 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 254
Abstract
Background: Prolonged manual wheelchair usage often leads to musculoskeletal disorders in the upper body of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) due to repetitive, unidirectional movements. To mitigate these issues, targeted exercise of the back muscles—particularly those involving pulling movements of the arms [...] Read more.
Background: Prolonged manual wheelchair usage often leads to musculoskeletal disorders in the upper body of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) due to repetitive, unidirectional movements. To mitigate these issues, targeted exercise of the back muscles—particularly those involving pulling movements of the arms and shoulders—is recommended. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a detachable, two-way propulsion system for manual wheelchairs, enabling propulsion through both pushing forward and pulling backward on the wheelchair pushrims. Methods: The propulsion system was engineered using a planetary gear train to facilitate dual-direction propulsion. Specifically, the planetary gear reverses the rotational direction, allowing the wheelchair to advance forward even when users pull the pushrims backward. Thus, the wheelchair can move forward through either pushing forward or pulling backward actions. Results: A prototype of the proposed system was fabricated using 3D printing technology and its functionality was verified. The prototype successfully demonstrated the two-way propulsion capability and the operation of the attachment mechanism. Additionally, the pilot test confirmed that an individual with SCI was able to propel a manual wheelchair equipped with the two-way propulsion system using both propulsion methods and switch between the methods independently while maintaining stability and safety throughout the test. Conclusion: The developed detachable two-way propulsion system shows significant promise as both a mobility aid and an exercise device, potentially reducing musculoskeletal complications among individuals with SCI who regularly utilize manual wheelchairs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Factors Engineering in Complex Socio-Technical Systems)
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