The effects of psychological load and speed on tractor operator error.
Sixteen tractor operators made a total of 64 runs through a tractor driving course designed to measure operator performance in a simulated field operation. The number of tasks the operator was required to perform was held constant while speed was varied and 12.9 km/h (2 and 8 mile/h). However, the psychological load was greater at the row end. The number of steering errors highly correlated with the speed, [Formula: see text] , [Formula: see text] . The steering error rate was not evenly distributed thorughout the course, but was significantly higher at the end of the rows as the tractor entered or exited. This research on speed-load theory as it applied to complex tractor-machinery operation indicates that the number of steering errors an operator makes is directly related to speed and psychological load.
Sinden
J V
JV
Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Becker
W J
WJ
Shoup
W D
WD