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Evaluation of a Virtual Environment Prototype for Studies on the Effectiveness of Technology-Based Safety Signs

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Advances in Ergonomics in Design (AHFE 2017)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 588))

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Abstract

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the viability of using a Virtual Environment (VE) prototype for conducting research regarding technology-based safety signs, i.e., Augmented Reality (AR) warnings. Using a complex work-related context (comprised of two hazardous situations with distinct salience levels) and a sample of 12 workers (27–60 years), the study’s objectives were to assess: the AR safety signs’ effectiveness in enhancing hazard-risk behaviors and promoting behavioral compliance; as well as the participants’ overall user experience. To undergo such an evaluation, the following issues were addressed: simulator sickness; level of presence; hazard and safety sign perception; and overall usability. Results reveal that: the AR warnings were effective in identifying hazards and in prompting compliant behaviors; and despite slight simulator sickness, participants were highly engaged, as well as adequately perceived both hazards and warnings. Thus, the VE prototype proved to be adequate for safety sign research regarding AR warnings.

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Acknowledgments

A Ph.D. scholarship (SFRH/BD/79622/2011) granted to Lara Reis de Amaral, from FCT: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation), supported this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ergonomics Laboratory, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal

    Lara Reis de Amaral, Emília Duarte & Francisco Rebelo

  2. CIAUD, Faculdade de Arquitetura, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua Sá Nogueira, Pólo Universitário, Alto da Ajuda, 1349-063, Lisbon, Portugal

    Lara Reis de Amaral & Francisco Rebelo

  3. UNIDCOM, IADE – Creative University, Av. D. Carlos I, 4, 1200-649, Lisbon, Portugal

    Emília Duarte

Authors
  1. Lara Reis de Amaral
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  2. Emília Duarte
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  3. Francisco Rebelo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lara Reis de Amaral .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal

    Francisco Rebelo

  2. Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Marcelo Soares

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de Amaral, L.R., Duarte, E., Rebelo, F. (2018). Evaluation of a Virtual Environment Prototype for Studies on the Effectiveness of Technology-Based Safety Signs. In: Rebelo, F., Soares, M. (eds) Advances in Ergonomics in Design. AHFE 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 588. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60582-1_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60582-1_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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