Beyond human factors: The role of human centered design in developing a safety-critical system

Abstract

This paper describes the utility of Human Centered Design research as an extension of the human factors approach to developing safety-critical technology for human use. A case study is provided that illustrates how this paradigm can be employed during innovation efforts of the Trajectory Recovery System (TRS). The research paradigm in this project is organized around four nodes: understanding; conceptual development; prototyping; evaluation and analysis. Founded in creative exploration of a user-centered solution to In-Flight Loss of Control (ILOC), a multi-disciplinary effort was organized around a mixed methods research design. Human Centered Design, with its emphasis on examination of activity in larger contexts, is the organizing principle which serves to balance the technical engineering of systems with the complex needs of humans.