Ismael Cremer

What Are the Predictors of System-Wide Trust Loss in Transportation Automation?

Prior research has examined how individuals place trust in single (e.g., Meyer, 2001, 2004) and multiple (e.g., Geels-Blair, Rice, & Schwark, 2013) automated devices when one fails. This has shown that participants are influenced by system-wide trust (SWT). What has been missing is an investigation into what types of people succumb to SWT effects. The current study attempts to replicate SWT findings and identify possible predictors of individuals likely to be influenced by SWT. The findings did demonstrate a replication of SWT. The study found that ‘‘feelings of negativity when automated devices fail’’ was a significant predictor of SWT theory.

A Framework for the Development of Technical Requirements for Renewable Energy Systems at a Small-Scale Airport Facility

Airports are key components of the global transportation system and are the subject of continuous sustainability improvements. Promoting clean energy sources and energy-efficient practices can help attain major sustainability goals at airports around the world. Although small airports are greater in number, most of the “sustainability” attention has been given to large airports. Small airports are typically located in rural areas, making them excellent candidates for renewable energy. This paper focuses on the planning and selection of renewable energy systems as a strategic method to reduce energy use and increase electric power reliability at small-scale airport facilities. The target system may use a combination of renewable energy sources to produce electrical power for the on-site facilities. The framework details include methods of energy collection, power production, and energy storage that are environmentally sound. A small airport serving a dual role as a flight training facility was used as case study. In the case study, systems engineering methodology was adapted to the small airport/ renewable energy domain in order to effectively identify stakeholders and elicit user requirements. These, coupled with industrial standards, relevant government regulations, and a priori constraints, are used to derive the initial requirements that serve as the basis for a preliminary design. The proposed framework also contains provisions for an on-site assessment of existing airport energy needs, sources, providers, and location-specific assets and challenges.© 2015 ASME

Consumer Affect and Type of Water Recycling Projects: Implementation at Airports

Previous studies have shown that the level of contact with recycled water has a significant impact on users’ attitude and perceptions toward its use. Recycled water is an engineering process that allows water to be reused for various processes and can mitigate the consumption of freshwater resources used by the airport. The current study aims to determine whether affect mediates the relationship between the type of water recycling projects and a person’s preference toward the use of that airport. Participants were presented with a scenario of an airport that uses recycled water for their sprinkler system or for their drinking fountains. This study found that affect was a significant mediator that mediated the relationship between the type of water recycling project and a person’s preference towards using that airport. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of this data.

A brief aviation sustainable practices attitude scale: establishing validity and reliability

Previous research has focused on transportation sustainability in other arenas, and in aviation perception scales, but to date, no researcher that we know of has developed a valid and reliable scale to measure consumer attitudes of aviation sustainability practices. A pair of aviation sustainability practices attitude (ASPA) scales were created for the purpose of measuring consumer attitudes about their experiences with airport and airline sustainable activities. The direct purpose of these scales is to aid in measuring the level that consumers would rate various sustainable practices with regard to the environment. In this paper, we outline the methodology that was used. A previous sustainable attitude scale called the SUS-TAS developed by Choi and Sirakaya (2005) was used as a foundational basis for the current scales in this paper. A total of 669 participants were solicited to help test the final two scales for validity and reliability. A factor analysis using the principal components and varimax rotation loaded strongly on one factor in each scale, providing evidence for validity. Reliability was tested via Cronbachs alpha and Guttmanns split-half tests, indicating high consistency and reliability.