Office of Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-89/5
Title and Subtitle: Operation Workload - A study of passenger energy expenditure during an emergency evacuation.
Report Date: March 1989
Authors: Higgins EA, Vant JHB
Abstract: In an earlier study at the Civil Aeromedical Institute, workloads were determined for passengers during an emergency evacuation. The evacuation tests were conducted in an orderly manner and were suggested as representative of a moderate workload. The current study is a continuation and amplification of that study and utilizes similar techniques for determining workload.
In this study, passengers were required to avoid aircraft aisles and to traverse over seat backs to the exit in order to simulate a maximum effort which might be anticipated in an emergency. Thus, maximum workload could be estimated more realistically. This information is necessary to formulate qualification requirements for passenger protective breathing equipment. Recommended values proposed in the first study should be modified.
Key Words: evacuation, passengers, breathing apparatus, emergencies, workload, energy consumption, aviation safety, operation, qualifications, requirements, test and evaluation, protective equipment.
No. of Pages: 39
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-89/5
Title and Subtitle: Operation Workload - A study of passenger energy expenditure during an emergency evacuation.
Report Date: March 1989
Authors: Higgins EA, Vant JHB
Abstract: In an earlier study at the Civil Aeromedical Institute, workloads were determined for passengers during an emergency evacuation. The evacuation tests were conducted in an orderly manner and were suggested as representative of a moderate workload. The current study is a continuation and amplification of that study and utilizes similar techniques for determining workload.
In this study, passengers were required to avoid aircraft aisles and to traverse over seat backs to the exit in order to simulate a maximum effort which might be anticipated in an emergency. Thus, maximum workload could be estimated more realistically. This information is necessary to formulate qualification requirements for passenger protective breathing equipment. Recommended values proposed in the first study should be modified.
Key Words: evacuation, passengers, breathing apparatus, emergencies, workload, energy consumption, aviation safety, operation, qualifications, requirements, test and evaluation, protective equipment.
No. of Pages: 39
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012