Cognitive Engineering in Radiation Screening for Homeland Security

Abstract

Cognitive engineering methods in a large-scale homeland security program are described. Screening cargo containers at seaports for illicit radioactive material involves substantial staff, technology, and human operator decision making. The systems engineering model used by the radiation portal monitor (RPM) program entails elements similar to the incremental commitment model, which provides a risk-based focus for applications of cognitive engineering. This model includes methods for defining opportunities and context of use, methods for requirements and design solutions, and methods for evaluation. The application examples illustrate each of these general areas through work domain analysis, signal detection modeling, design of displays for radiation threat likelihood, and evaluation of the design concepts with field test data. The signal detection analysis shows how system detection sensitivity requirements for design can be established for low-probability, high-consequence events such as threats. The threat display concept developed by cognitive engineers has been implemented in new fielded systems. The success of cognitive engineering in the RPM program is largely a result of working with an incremental approach to systems engineering. This perspective provides application focus to those areas most likely to benefit from cognitive engineering within the overall constraints of the work domain, program schedule, and budget.

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