Soldier Performance Issues in C2 `On the Move'

Abstract

Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. ABSTRACTFor several years, the need for increased mobility for command and control (C2) assets in U.S. ground forces has been apparent. However, increased use of automated information systems in moving vehicles does incur a price in Soldier performance. There are many Soldier performance issues associated with the performance of tasks while the vehicle is moving, that is, "on the move." This paper presents some of the issues related to the effects of vehicle motion on Soldier performance. The issues include vibration, visual displays, manual control, interactions among Soldiers, cognitive functions, and workload. Four areas of mitigation for vehicle motion effects are identified and briefly discussed. BACKGROUND

Effects of Input Device and Motion Type on a Cursor-Positioning Task

“…Dobie (2003) indicated that ship motion had detrimental effects on both gross (e.g., standing, walking, carrying out operational and maintenance tasks) and fine motor skills (e.g., delicate control adjustment and computer operations). Hill and Tauson (2005) pointed out that soldiers' input tasks were seriously affected by vehicle motion. Although many studies investigated the effects of motion on continuous manual control, most focused on the specific motion type (vertical vibration) and input device (joystick).…”

“…However, these comparisons were all executed under stationary situations. The results might be different were these input devices manipulated in a motion environment (McLeod, Poulton, Ross, & Lewis, 1980;Hill & Tauson, 2005).…”