Behavioral Measures of Aircrew Mental Workload

Abstract

Behavioral research literature pertaining to the measurement of aircrew workload was classified into general categories of subjective opinion, spare mental capacity, and primary task metrics. Fourteen specific classes of workload measures related to these general categories were reviewed specifically in regard to aircrew workload assessment in the flight test and evaluation. Each class of measures was summarized in terms of background, applications, and implications for research and implementation. It was concluded that no one, single measure can be recommended as the definitive behavioral measure of mental workload. Due to the multidimensionality of workload, it appears that the most promising assessment procedure should include multiple measures of subjective opinions, spare mental capacity, and primary task measures as well as physiological correlates.