title: Pilot's visual attention allocation modeling under fatigue.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human factors involved with visual attention mechanism and fatigue are critical causes of modern aviation accidents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the connection between attention and flight fatigue, a mathematical model of pilot's visual attention allocation was established based on information processing channels. Multi-task condition and current psychophysical state were taken into account as well.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen participants were recruited to perform a long-term dual-task in a Boeing 737-800 flight simulator. The primary task was an envelope flight task and the secondary was an unusual attitude (UA) recovery task. Reaction time of the secondary task was recorded as a behavior performance index, while heart rate and respiration rate were measured as physiological indices as well as fixation distribution as attention allocation index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experiment results showed a significant affect of experiment time that indicated the occurrence and influence of fatigue. Eye movement tracking also revealed good agreement with the predictable model and hence verified its effectiveness. Moreover, applicability of the model was validated under flight fatigue and multiple tasks condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study provided a quantitative connection between pilot's visual attention allocation and flight fatigue, which was verified in the ergonomics experiment.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xiaoru
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wanyan
authors.forename: Damin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhuang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001359:Aviation; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006804:Ergonomics; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D056152:Respiratory Rate
keywords: Visual attention allocation; ergonomics experiment; fatigue; mathematical model