ABSTRACT
Dynamic (or adaptive) control of task allocation in complex human-machine systems refers to the flexible allocation of tasks or functions between the operator and the system. Two studies are described that examined the impact of explicit task allocation on performance, subjective workload and situation awareness in a complex multiple-task environment. Participants were asked to control four tasks simultaneously: a monitoring task involving the detection of different types of visual signal, a tracking task involving manual control and visual input, a communications task involving the detection and response to auditory signals, and a resource management task involving maintenance of water levels and flow in a set of tanks. At relatively low levels of task demands there were few differences in performance and workload between the control group and operators who had explicit control over task allocation. The benefits of explicit task allocation became clearer at higher levels of task demands.
