New technology applications in hazardous materials operations

Jill L. Drury, ScD; Mark Micire, MS; Holly A. Yanco, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2010.0033

Authors

Jill L. Drury, ScD
Mark Micire, MS
Holly A. Yanco, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2010.0033

Keywords:

emergency response, low-fidelity prototyping, user testing, information technology, HAZMAT

Abstract

The authors have been investigating novel ways to apply technology to enhance response to fast-paced, complex, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents. Although there are many uses of Global Positioning System, Radio Frequency Identification, simple radio frequency transmitter/sensor devices, and multitouch display technologies, these technologies have only made their way into the HAZMAT community in limited ways. Based on an investigation of the technology needs of HAZMAT responders, the authors developed an approach to combine these technologies to address the observed safety, situation awareness, and efficiency shortfalls. This article describes the proposed approach and provides the results of an investigation into its acceptance and likely utility. During lowfidelity prototype-based user tests and structured interviews, certified HAZMAT responders gave high scores to the usefulness of the proposed functionality and its likely helpfulness in maintaining safety

Author Biographies

Jill L. Drury, ScD

The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, Massachusetts.

Mark Micire, MS

Department of Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts.

Holly A. Yanco, PhD

Department of Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts.

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