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Item: A Proposed Paradigm for Advancing Human Factors Research: Linking Behavioral and Avalanche Scientific Disciplines

    • Title: A Proposed Paradigm for Advancing Human Factors Research: Linking Behavioral and Avalanche Scientific Disciplines

      Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA

      Authors:

      • Keith Gale  [ Pinecrest Nordic Ski Patrol, Clayton, CA, USA ]
      • Dale Atkins  [ RECCO, XXXX, CO, USA ]
      • Iain Stewart-Patterson  [ Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC, Canada ]
      • Benjamin Zweifel  [ WSL-Institut für Schnee- und Lawinenforschung SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
      • Bruce Tremper  [ Utah Avalanche Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA ]
      • Baruch Fischoff  [ Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, PA, USA ]
      • Michael Jenkins  [ Charles River Associates, Cambridge, MA, USA ]
      • Rashaad Jones  [ Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA ]
      • Joseph Keebler  [ Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, USA ]
      • Moin Rahman  [ HVHF Sciences, LLC, Coral Springs, FL, USA ]
      • Gabrielle Wong-Parodi  [ Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, PA, USA ]
      • Mark Borsuk  [ Dartmout College, Hanover, NH, USA ]
      • Magda Osman  [ Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom ]
      • Alan Sanfey  [ Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands ]
      • Brenda Dervin  [ Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA ]
      • Karlene Roberts  [ University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA ]
      • Ed Carlson  [ National Ski Patrol, Lakewood, CO, USA ]
      • Mike Laney  [ National Ski Patrol, Lakewood, CO, USA ]
      • Tim Bennett  [ Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom ]
      • Kenneth Perez  [ Texas A&M, College Station, TX, USA ]
      • Taylor Barr  [ University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA ]

      Date: 2016-10-02

      Abstract: The avalanche industry understands that to save lives, we need to understand human behavior. The scientific discipline most directly affiliated with human factors is behavioral scientists. The avalanche industry has a unique opportunity to collaborate with the behavioral science industry to reduce avalanche fatalities and increase safety. Much like the lessons learned by the aviation and other industries, it has been proven that research in human factors has positive effects. Though the avalanche and behavioral discipline linkage to date has been weakly coupled, this paper outlines how to move forward and more tightly couple these disciplines. This strategic linkage would represent the paradigm shift necessary to address the human factors concerns of the avalanche industry. For the first time, the strategic linkages between the Avalanche and Behavioral Sciences has been established. These linkages range across the full spectrum of the relevant scientific disciplines. The co-authors of this paper are a testament that such collaboration is not only theoretically possible, but actually and actively encouraged. Progress to create the necssary strategic linkages has begun. The co-authors represent some of the thought-leaders of both the avalance and behavioral sciences. The paradigm shift would create a strategic alignment, whose benefits would be reaching far into the future. Though exciting, there are challenges that the avalanche industry must address to move along the new paradigm pathway.

      Language of Article: English

      Presenters:

      Keywords: Research Roadmap

      Page Number(s): 744-747

      Subjects: human factors avalanche research avalanche mitigation

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