The primary objectives of HFE are to reduce the incidence and impact of human error; enhance the usability of complex systems; reduce cognitive workload and system manning; improve training; and increase system affordability.

Carlow personnel have been applying HFE to maritime and offshore systems, manned spaceflight (for every manned spaceflight program since the Mercury Project), aircraft systems, transportation systems, information systems, consumer products, pharmaceutical plants, medical systems and devices, and systems and equipment for the aged and disabled.

List of Carlow Publications

• Carlow conducted the research that led to the adoption of the high center mounted brake light on all passenger vehicles sold in the US after 1986. This research demonstrated that the high mounted brake light reduces the probability of being involved in a rear end accident by 54%.

• Carlow personnel determined the role of human error in the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident, and developed a R&D program for improvement of human performance in all US nuclear plants.

• Carlow is currently helping the Navy reduce manning levels on combatant ships by up to 75% while enhancing human performance, safety and quality of life at sea.

• Carlow recently conducted a study in support of the FAA to assess the performance of airport security screening personnel.

• Carlow is currently developing caregiver protocols and training to maximize the independence and autonomy of Alzheimers patients, for the national Institute on Aging.

• Carlow has been active in applying human factors engineering in Europe, having participated in the European Union Transport R&D program to develop design guidelines to accommodate elderly and disabled passengers on cruise ships and ferries; and another project to enhance the competitiveness of European shipping through integration of humans with high technology.

Carlow International supports the HFES System Development Technical Group. The System Develoment Technical Group (SDTG) fosters research and information exchange on the integration of human factors/ergonomics into the development of systems and products. Members are concerned with defining human factors/ergonomics activities and integrating them into the system/product development process in order to provide systems that meet user requirements.