MAP-01-011 HFI Technical Guide - Human Factors Integration ...

Chapter 14 – Equipment LayoutHFI Technical IssuesFigure 14-2: Multiple user workstations within the combat systemIn the past the overall configuration of Operations compartments has not alwaysoptimised performance of the tasks required of personnel. Equipments orbulkheads have blocked access or visibility, equipments and subordinate userpositions have not been arranged around supervising Command positions andmovement has been difficult. The provision of standard consoles providingaccess to a range of functions will help to reduce the range of user-equipmentinterfaces with which each user will need to interact. The opportunity exists forthe layout of future Combat System workspaces to be designed around therequirements of the Command team.Platform management and other systems are increasingly co-located in onecompartment. In this case multiple workstations are provided for supervisors andfor operators engaged in machinery control and surveillance, security or safetymanagement and damage control. The following types of issues need to beconsidered when designing the configuration of the Ship Control Centre/ControlRoom:• The supervisor should have a clear line of sight to all other operator displayconsoles, e.g. place the supervisor’s console behind operator consoles in acentral position and on a raised dais.• All personnel should be seated facing in the direction of forward platformmotion.• Place most important and frequently used displays and controls in thecentre of the consoles to support reduced watchkeeping team sizes.• Provide facilities for supervisors or other operators to conductwatchkeeping duties whilst standing or moving around, e.g.communications, large screen repeater displays, raised working surfaces.Nov 2006 Page 14-5 Issue 4