A model for types and levels of human interaction with automation

Abstract

Abstract-Technical developments in computer hardware and software now make it possible to introduce automation into virtually all aspects of human-machine systems. Given these technical capabilities, which system functions should be automated and to what extent? We outline a model for types and levels of automation that provides a framework and an objective basis for making such choices. Appropriate selection is important because automation does not merely supplant but changes human activity and can impose new coordination demands on the human operator. We propose that automation can be applied to four broad classes of functions: 1) information acquisition; 2) information analysis; 3) decision and action selection; and 4) action implementation. Within each of these types, automation can be applied across a continuum of levels from low to high, i.e., from fully manual to fully automatic. A particular system can involve automation of all four types at different levels. The human performance consequences of particular types and levels of automation constitute primary evaluative criteria for automation design using our model. Secondary evaluative criteria include automation reliability and the costs of decision/action consequences, among others. Examples of recommended types and levels of automation are provided to illustrate the application of the model to automation design.

Impact of automation: Measurement of performance, workload and behaviour in a complex control environment

“…The levels of automation identified in the models can be used to distinguish levels of independent variables in experimental designs; if sufficient levels are defined, the effect of automation can being to be described on a continuum. The levels of automation incorporated in this study are described in terms of the model for types and levels of automation described by Parasuraman et al (2000). The benefit of this model over those used by other researchers (e.g.…”

“…Simply describing automation systems along one continuum does not give an appreciation of the different types of automation which may be present within systems and does not allow the analysis of the impact of automation at different stages of decision making. Parasuraman et al (2000) provide an interpretation of how automation will vary in each of these functional dimensions. For information acquisition, a low level of automation is suggested which simply helps gather the information; a mid-level is when the automation organises the information in some form, perhaps forming priorities; and a high level is where the automation filters the information so that a full set of raw data is not provided to the operator.…”

“…Automation may assist the operator with decision and action selection, for example by using conditional logic. Parasuraman et al (2000) proposed that the decision selection automation level increases as the automation narrows the decision alternatives.…”

“…The work of Parasuraman et al (2000) was extended during this study to generate levels appropriate to the rail signalling domain in each of the four functional dimensions. A limitation of the existing scales used to describe the level of automation in each functional dimension developed by Parasuraman et al is that they combine the functional dimensions, creating one scale for information acquisition and analysis and a second for decision-making and action implementation.…”

“…These levels are described in terms of a rail automation model based on previous automation theory (Parasuraman, Sheridan, & Wickens, 2000). Performance, subjective workload, and signaller activity were measured for each level of automation running under both normal operating conditions and abnormal, or disrupted, conditions.…”