Date of Award

2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Systems Engineering

Department

Mechanical, Industrial and Systems Engineering

First Advisor

Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi

Abstract

In a variety of professions, personnel are asked to work extended shifts, straining themselves both physically and mentally. The strain in combination with the prolonged wakefulness can lead to mistakes on the job. This can be problematic for industries where mistakes are associated with high-risk consequences. A few professions that typically work in shifts include nurses, truck drivers, and oil-rig workers to name a few. Pertinent to this study is the performance of operators performing pilot related activities such as driving or monitoring; this is specifically interesting where the risk for failure can result in fatality or serious injury, such as a submarine environment. Ultimately, this study investigated the effects of prolonged wakefulness on the performance of operators as they perform pilot related activities. The performance evaluations gathered by this study provide insight into the correlation between appropriate shift length and timing of highest performance degradation.

Comments

This thesis contains Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and is not available.

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