Assessment and Classification of Cognitive Decrements Associated with High Workload and Extended Work Periods in a UAV Setting

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Assessment and Classification of Cognitive Decrements Associated with High Workload and Extended Work Periods in a UAV Setting


AFRL-RH-WP-TP-2010-0015

Iris Davis
John A. Caldwell
Regina Schmidt
Glenn Wilson
Margaret Funke

The present study investigated high workload and time-on-task effects through the assessment of performance and physiological measures during the continuous performance of a complex uninhabited air vehicle UAV task. This study systematically explored the effects of time-on-task, while also incorporating a variety of workload conditions designed to simulate an actual UAV operation. Subjective sleepiness and workload were monitored, as well as performance, on a psychomotor vigilance task. Electroencephalographic data were collected in order to establish physiological evidence of fatigue due to time-on-task. The results of this study demonstrated that performance remained stable throughout the 4-hour continuous mission on all workload conditions. In addition, no physiological evidence of fatigue was identified