Type of Document Master's Thesis Author Adams, Christi J. Author's Email Address no available e-mail. Must telephone (540) 710-0359 URN etd-63197-115233 Title An Investigation of Navigation Processes in Human Locomotor Behavior Degree Master of Science Department Industrial and Systems Engineering Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title Dingus, Thomas A. Prestrude, Albert M. Beaton, Robert J. Committee Chair Keywords
- visually moderated behavior
Date of Defense 1997-07-21 Availability unrestricted AbstractFor humans, walking is the principle means of locomotion,
or moving from one point to another. While upright locomotion
is a human characteristic, the way humans direct their locomotion
has not been studied extensively. Prior to the late 1940's,
little research or scholarly thought was published regarding
locomotion. In 1950, J. J. Gibson published one of the first
texts on visual perception, which included theories and research
on how humans interpret and react to a world of movement, even as
they move within that world. Published research on the topic has
been sporadic since then, especially when compared to the volume
of work on eye-hand coordination and other eye-brain perception
issues. Very little work has been documented on humans moving in
a "real world" setting, not laboratory settings or under very
specific timing requirements.
This study begins by proposing a heuristic framework of human
navigation, a description of how humans move from point to point,
navigating over and across navigation hazards in the walking path.
The heuristic model provides an engineering perspective for the safe
design of pedestrian areas, allowing sufficient area for visual
recognition of hazards.
Two observational studies were performed, one with four
different navigation hazards humans come in contact with and the
other one with two different hazards that humans pass without
contacting. These two classes of hazards involve different perceptual
principles. The studies examined the effects of ambient lighting
available affected the time required for high attention, fine
navigation when approaching a navigation hazard. Specific comparisons
between types of navigation hazards were not contemplated, since the
perceptual and motor requirements varied considerably among the hazards.
Low ambient light levels, representing twilight and night
conditions, increase the amount of time required for fine navigation.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant difference
in the fine navigation time to contact a navigation hazard for stairs
travelling down, a 900 turn in the path, and walking downhill with a
step midway. ANOVA also showed a significant difference in the fine
navigation time to pass a navigation hazard for two different hazards.
Under all conditions, post hoc analysis showed Night lighting levels
were different from Day lighting levels.
Practical applications of this research are in the facilities
planning and safety design fields. The individual's locomotion speed
combined with the fine navigation time required determines the distance
needed for visual recognition of the hazard and preparatory locomotor
changes. With extensive research, formalized guidelines and standards
can be developed for the safe planning, design and redesign of pedestrian
walkways. The human factors engineer could interact knowledgeably with
other professional designers to assure that walking paths are designed
to meet the human's requirements for safe locomotion.
Filename Size Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)
28.8 Modem 56K Modem ISDN (64 Kb) ISDN (128 Kb) Higher-speed Access ADAMS1.pdf 438.15 Kb 00:02:01 00:01:02 00:00:54 00:00:27 00:00:02
If you have questions or technical problems, please Contact DLA.