title: Directional control-response compatibility relationships assessed by physical simulation of an underground bolting machine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The authors examine the pattern of direction errors made during the manipulation of a physical simulation of an underground coal mine bolting machine to assess the directional control-response compatibility relationships associated with the device and to compare these results to data obtained from a virtual simulation of a generic device.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Directional errors during the manual control of underground coal roof bolting equipment are associated with serious injuries. Directional control-response relationships have previously been examined using a virtual simulation of a generic device; however, the applicability of these results to a specific physical device may be questioned.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight participants randomly assigned to different directional control-response relationships manipulated horizontal or vertical control levers to move a simulated bolter arm in three directions (elevation, slew, and sump) as well as to cause a light to become illuminated and raise or lower a stabilizing jack. Directional errors were recorded during the completion of 240 trials by each participant
  
  
  RESULTS
  Directional error rates are increased when the control and response are in opposite directions or if the direction of the control and response are perpendicular.The pattern of direction error rates was consistent with experiments obtained from a generic device in a virtual environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Error rates are increased by incompatible directional control-response relationships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ensuring that the design of equipment controls maintains compatible directional control-response relationships has potential to reduce the errors made in high-risk situations, such as underground coal mining.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burgess-Limerick
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D003032:Coal Mining / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D008875:Middle Aged; D017751:Safety Management; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult