Automation and Supervisory Control: A Perspective on Human Performance, Training, and Performance Aiding

This paper is based on results from an on-going effort sponsored by the US Army Research Institute (ARI) concerned with human performance and training issues in automated, near-real-time air defense command and control systems. Air defense command and control is the specific applications context, but the paper's implications extend to many contemporary process control settings. Topics that are addressed in the paper include: (1) human performance problems associated with automation, (2) a new look at human performance requirements in near-real-time process control, (3) and training and job performance support requirements for supervisory controllers. The “new look” portion describes a reasonable and evolving concept for human participation in automated processing, designated Rule-Based Supervisory Control. The paper is intended to introduce these topics to concept developers, system designers, and trainers dealing with automated process control technology.