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- Title
- DOD ACQUISITION WORKFORCE EDUCATION: AN SBA EDUCATION CASE STUDY.
- Creator
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Davenport, Richard, Proctor, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
A Department of Defense (DoD) M&S education task force is in the process of studying the Modeling and Simulation (M&S) education of the acquisition workforce. Historically, DoD acquisition workforce education is not referred to as education, but rather what the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) refers to as "practitioner training, career management, and services." The DAU is the organization primarily responsible for training the DoD acquisition corps in conjunction with service schools...
Show moreA Department of Defense (DoD) M&S education task force is in the process of studying the Modeling and Simulation (M&S) education of the acquisition workforce. Historically, DoD acquisition workforce education is not referred to as education, but rather what the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) refers to as "practitioner training, career management, and services." The DAU is the organization primarily responsible for training the DoD acquisition corps in conjunction with service schools and strategic partners in the civilian sector. DAU programs primarily focus on program management, contracting, and management of logistics across the system life cycle. Further, the examples and cases used in the training are primarily DoD centric. Only select DoD employees are exposed to Harvard Business School (HBS) perspectives. The use of M&S to improve system acquisition is only delivered in three courses. Further, Simulation-Based Acquisition (SBA) as a strategy in development of various systems is not explicitly taught. The general notion for this research is that exposure of actual or potential defense acquisition students to the rich civilian literature on M&S across the enterprise life cycle and SBA in particular may be beneficial to DoD. To further this general notion, this research investigates content in courses whose curriculum, while still more than 50% DoD, contains HBS SBA and other M&S related case studies. While abbreviated for the purpose of this abstract, the overall hypothesis of this dissertation is that M&S and HBS case studies make a positive contribution to DoD or potential DoD employees. To investigate this hypothesis, this research conducted both internal and external evaluations to determine the level to which the course makes a positive contribution to the student ability to "Understand the concepts of SBA across the entire program life cycle, in order to reduce the time, resources, and risks associated with the acquisition process". This was identified by the task force as a key element in the Education Skills Requirement (ESR) that this curriculum intends to address. The internal evaluation used inferential statistics to consider the validity of the course topics, content, evaluation methods, and case study delivery method through student evaluations of a live class. Among other variables, this research tracks class participants' responses (self-assessment) and performance (subject matter expert objective assessment) demographically to include current and potential DoD employees. With the graying of DoD workforce, potential DoD employees are important to the DoD community too. The external evaluation likewise considers the validity of the course topics and content through a survey of acquisition professionals external to the class. External acquisition professionals are drawn from across DoD as well as include former DoD acquisition employees. The combination of the internal and external evaluations provides insight into these and other issues related to the course topics, content, evaluation methods, and case study delivery methods and make recommendations on these and other issues for future course offerings.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002616, ucf:48251
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002616
- Title
- A HYBRID SIMULATION METHODOLOGY TO EVALUATE NETWORK CENTRICDECISION MAKING UNDER EXTREME EVENTS.
- Creator
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Quijada, Sergio, Sepulveda, Jose, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Currently the network centric operation and network centric warfare have generated a new area of research focused on determining how hierarchical organizations composed by human beings and machines make decisions over collaborative environments. One of the most stressful scenarios for these kinds of organizations is the so-called extreme events. This dissertation provides a hybrid simulation methodology based on classical simulation paradigms combined with social network analysis for...
Show moreCurrently the network centric operation and network centric warfare have generated a new area of research focused on determining how hierarchical organizations composed by human beings and machines make decisions over collaborative environments. One of the most stressful scenarios for these kinds of organizations is the so-called extreme events. This dissertation provides a hybrid simulation methodology based on classical simulation paradigms combined with social network analysis for evaluating and improving the organizational structures and procedures, mainly the incident command systems and plans for facing those extreme events. According to this, we provide a methodology for generating hypotheses and afterwards testing organizational procedures either in real training systems or simulation models with validated data. As long as the organization changes their dyadic relationships dynamically over time, we propose to capture the longitudinal digraph in time and analyze it by means of its adjacency matrix. Thus, by using an object oriented approach, three domains are proposed for better understanding the performance and the surrounding environment of an emergency management organization. System dynamics is used for modeling the critical infrastructure linked to the warning alerts of a given organization at federal, state and local levels. Discrete simulations based on the defined concept of "community of state" enables us to control the complete model. Discrete event simulation allows us to create entities that represent the data and resource flows within the organization. We propose that cognitive models might well be suited in our methodology. For instance, we show how the team performance decays in time, according to the Yerkes-Dodson curve, affecting the measures of performance of the whole organizational system. Accordingly we suggest that the hybrid model could be applied to other types of organizations, such as military peacekeeping operations and joint task forces. Along with providing insight about organizations, the methodology supports the analysis of the "after action review" (AAR), based on collection of data obtained from the command and control systems or the so-called training scenarios. Furthermore, a rich set of mathematical measures arises from the hybrid models such as triad census, dyad census, eigenvalues, utilization, feedback loops, etc., which provides a strong foundation for studying an emergency management organization. Future research will be necessary for analyzing real data and validating the proposed methodology.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001243, ucf:46926
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001243
- Title
- EVALUATION OF A SIMULATION-ENHANCED OBSTETRIC CLINICAL EXPERIENCE ON LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR KNOWLEDGE, SELF-EFFICACY, AND TRANSFER.
- Creator
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Guimond, Mary, Sole, Mary Lou, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Simulation using computerized patient mannequins may be a useful mechanism to teach safe and effective nursing care, thus improving the quality of education for nurses. As nursing program enrollments grow, clinical placement is becoming more difficult and may not offer consistent learning opportunities that reinforce safe and effective nursing practice. This study applied Ford, Smith, Weissbein, Gully, and SalasÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ' (1998) model of learning transfer as the theoretical framework to...
Show moreSimulation using computerized patient mannequins may be a useful mechanism to teach safe and effective nursing care, thus improving the quality of education for nurses. As nursing program enrollments grow, clinical placement is becoming more difficult and may not offer consistent learning opportunities that reinforce safe and effective nursing practice. This study applied Ford, Smith, Weissbein, Gully, and SalasÂÂÂÂ' (1998) model of learning transfer as the theoretical framework to design a simulated obstetric clinical learning experience to augment the current clinical practice model, an approach that may lead to an improved educational experience. The purpose of this study was to compare learning outcomes of two clinical teaching strategies for obstetric clinical content for undergraduate nursing students: standard clinical instruction and a simulation-enhanced clinical experience. A mixed-method approach was used. A randomized cluster design was chosen to compare the learning outcomes for students participating in a simulation-enhanced clinical experience versus students participating in a traditional clinical rotation. From the study population of 124 students, 40 participated in the simulation-enhanced clinical group, with the remainder of students serving as controls. Four instruments (Obstetric Nursing Self-Efficacy instrument, Goal Orientation Scale, Proxy Measure, and examination knowledge items) were used to measure student characteristics or achievement of outcomes. Learning outcomes for self-efficacy, knowledge, skills, and transfer were compared between the groups using ANCOVA, independent sample t-test, and chi-square analyses. A qualitative descriptive analysis of clinical evaluations for all students was also conducted. Demographic characteristics between the groups were not statistically different. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed no difference in ONSE posttest scores between the groups after adjusting for goal orientation and ONSE pretest scores. An alternative ANCOVA for sequence (time in semester when the simulation occurred) and group was not significant. However, after adjustment for the covariate of ONSE pretest scores, ONSE posttest scores varied with sequencing (p <.05); students who had the simulated experience during the first half of the semester (M=67.27) scored higher than those in the second half (M=60.89) when pretest scores were used as a covariate. No differences were found between the experimental and control groups for knowledge or skills. The narrative analysis revealed broad variation in comments on the clinical evaluation form among clinical instructors. Attitude, knowledge attainment, skill acquisition, helpfulness, and professional role attributes were common themes related to student clinical performance. The findings from the study contribute to a growing body of literature evaluating the efficacy of simulation to augment clinical nursing practice experience. Data suggest there is little difference in learning outcomes for students participating in a simulation-enhanced clinical group versus the traditional clinical rotation. This finding supports that at least 15% of clinical hours could occur in a simulated clinical environment. A model driven method of simulation design and delivery could support learning in a way that will allow for efficient and effective use of simulation to support safe and effective obstetric nursing care.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003414, ucf:48374
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003414
- Title
- A HOLISTIC USABILITY FRAMEWORK FOR DISTRIBUTED SIMULATION SYSTEMS.
- Creator
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Dawson, Jeffrey, Rabelo, Luis, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This dissertation develops a holistic usability framework for distributed simulation systems (DSSs). The framework is developed considering relevant research in human-computer interaction, computer science, technical writing, engineering, management, and psychology. The methodology used consists of three steps: (1) framework development, (2) surveys of users to validate and refine the framework, and to determine attribute weights, and (3) application of the framework to two real-world systems...
Show moreThis dissertation develops a holistic usability framework for distributed simulation systems (DSSs). The framework is developed considering relevant research in human-computer interaction, computer science, technical writing, engineering, management, and psychology. The methodology used consists of three steps: (1) framework development, (2) surveys of users to validate and refine the framework, and to determine attribute weights, and (3) application of the framework to two real-world systems. The concept of a holistic usability framework for DSSs arose during a project to improve the usability of the Virtual Test Bed, a prototypical DSS, and the framework is partly a result of that project. In addition, DSSs at Ames Research Center were studied for additional insights. The framework has six dimensions: end user needs, end user interface(s), programming, installation, training, and documentation. The categories of participants in this study include managers, researchers, programmers, end users, trainers, and trainees. The first survey was used to obtain qualitative and quantitative data to validate and refine the framework. Attributes that failed the validation test were dropped from the framework. A second survey was used to obtain attribute weights. The refined framework was used to evaluate two existing DSSs, measuring their holistic usabilities. Ensuring that the needs of the variety of types of users who interact with the system during design, development, and use are met is important to launch a successful system. Adequate consideration of system usability along the several dimensions in the framework will not only ensure system success but also increase productivity, lower life cycle costs, and result in a more pleasurable working experience for people who work with the system.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001256, ucf:46906
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001256
- Title
- Limitations of Micro and Macro Solutions to the Simulation Interoperability Challenge: An EASE Case Study.
- Creator
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Barry, John, Proctor, Michael, Wiegand, Rudolf, Allen, Gary, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis explored the history of military simulations and linked it to the current challenges of interoperability. The research illustrated the challenge of interoperability in integrating different networks, databases, standards, and interfaces and how it results in U.S. Army organizations constantly spending time and money to create and implement irreproducible Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) integrating architectures to accomplish comparable tasks. Although the U.S. Army has made...
Show moreThis thesis explored the history of military simulations and linked it to the current challenges of interoperability. The research illustrated the challenge of interoperability in integrating different networks, databases, standards, and interfaces and how it results in U.S. Army organizations constantly spending time and money to create and implement irreproducible Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) integrating architectures to accomplish comparable tasks. Although the U.S. Army has made advancements in interoperability, it has struggled with this challenge since the early 1990s. These improvements have been inadequate due to evolving and growing needs of the user coupled with the technical complexities of interoperating legacy systems with emergent systems arising from advances in technology. To better understand the impact of the continued evolution of simulations, this paper mapped Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs with Tolk's Levels of Conceptual Interoperability Model (LCIM). This mapping illustrated a common relationship in both the Hierarchy of Needs and the LCIM model depicting that each level increases with complexity and the proceeding lower level must first be achieved prior to reaching the next. Understanding the continuum of complexity of interoperability, as requirements or needs, helped to determine why the previous funding and technical efforts have been inadequate in mitigating the interoperability challenges within U.S. Army simulations. As the U.S. Army's simulation programs continue to evolve while the military and contractor personnel turnover rate remains near constant, a method of capturing and passing on the tacit knowledge from one personnel staffing life cycle to the next must be developed in order to economically and quickly reproduce complex simulation events. This thesis explored a potential solution to this challenge, the Executable Architecture Systems Engineering (EASE) research project managed by the U.S. Army's Simulation and Training Technology Center in the Army Research Laboratory within the Research, Development and Engineering Command. However, there are two main drawbacks to EASE; it is still in the prototype stage and has not been fully tested and evaluated as a simulation tool within the community of practice. In order to determine if EASE has the potential to reduce the micro as well as macro interoperability, an EASE experiment was conducted as part of this thesis. The following three alternative hypothesis were developed, tested, and accepted as a result of the research for this thesis:Ha1 = Expert stakeholders believe the EASE prototype does have potential as a U.S. Army technical solution to help mitigate the M(&)S interoperability challenge. Ha2 = Expert stakeholders believe the EASE prototype does have potential as a U.S. Army managerial solution to help mitigate the M(&)S interoperability challenge. Ha3 = Expert stakeholders believe the EASE prototype does have potential as a U.S. Army knowledge management solution to help mitigate the M(&)S interoperability challenge. To conduct this experiment, eleven participants representing ten different organizations across the three M(&)S Domains were selected to test EASE using a modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) approach developed by Davis. Indexes were created from the participants' responses to include both the quality of participants and research questions. The Cronbach Alpha Test for reliability was used to test the reliability of the adapted TAM. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranked test provided the statistical analysis that formed the basis of the research; that determined the EASE project has the potential to help mitigate the interoperability challenges in the U.S. Army's M(&)S domains.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0005084, ucf:50740
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005084
- Title
- A Program Manager's Dilemma: Measuring the Effect on Performance of Different Visual Modalities in Mixed Reality Aerial Door Gunnery.
- Creator
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Stevens, Jonathan, Kincaid, John, Shumaker, Randall, Karwowski, Waldemar, Mohammad, Syed, Sottilare, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The United States Army continues to develop new and effective ways to use simulation for training. One example is the Non-Rated Crew Member Manned Module (NCM3), a simulator designed to train helicopter crewmembers in critical, high risk tasks such as crew coordination, flight, aerial gunnery, hoist and sling load related tasks. The goal of this study was to evaluate visual modalities' effect on performance in mixed reality aerial door gunnery.There is a strong belief in the United States...
Show moreThe United States Army continues to develop new and effective ways to use simulation for training. One example is the Non-Rated Crew Member Manned Module (NCM3), a simulator designed to train helicopter crewmembers in critical, high risk tasks such as crew coordination, flight, aerial gunnery, hoist and sling load related tasks. The goal of this study was to evaluate visual modalities' effect on performance in mixed reality aerial door gunnery.There is a strong belief in the United States Army that the greater the degree of immersion in a virtual simulation, the more effective that simulation is. However, little scientific research exists that supports this notion. In fact, the true goal of training simulation is to optimize the degree of transfer to the trainee - not to create the most immersive experience possible. As a result, the Army Program Manager frequently faces trade-off dilemmas during the simulation design phase, balancing user desires with cost and schedule constraints. One of those trade-off predicaments, and the unscientific manner in which it was resolved, served as the motivation for this research.A review of the literature was conducted in order to investigate the benefits of simulation for training. The taxonomy of reality, as well as the training efficacy of virtual and mixed reality simulation, were examined. Major concepts, applications and components of virtual and mixed reality simulation training were studied. Prior visual modality research was reviewed and discussed. Two discrete groups of subjects, expert (n = 20) and novice (n = 76), were employed in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two visual modality treatments (Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) flat panel screen or Head-Mounted Display (HMD)) and executed three aerial door gunnery training scenarios in the NCM3. Independent variables were visual modality, trial, immersive tendency and simulator sickness questionnaire scores. Dependent variables included performance, presence and simulator sickness change scores. The results of the study indicate no main effect of visual modality on performance for the expert population while a main effect of visual modality on performance was discovered for the novice population. Both visual treatment groups experienced the same degree of presence and simulator sickness. No relationship between an individual's immersive tendency and their performance and level of presence was found. Results of this study's primary objective are conflicting, by expertise group, and thus both support and challenge the commonly held notion that higher immersive simulation leads to better performance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005422, ucf:50427
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005422
- Title
- SIZE AND POWER PROPERTY OF THE ASYMPTOTIC TESTS AND THE BOOTSTRAP TESTS IN THE PROBIT MODEL: SIMULATION RESULTS.
- Creator
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Shen, Xiaobin, Im, Kyung, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This paper compares the size and power properties of the asymptotic tests based on the asymptotic standard errors with the bootstrap tests based on the bootstrap confidence interval in the Probit model. The asymptotic tests work surprisingly well even when the sample size is quite small (e.g., n = 30) for the test of exclusion hypothesis β = 0. The bootstrap tests work similarly well. It shares essentially the same size and power property of the asymptotic tests when the null hypothesis...
Show moreThis paper compares the size and power properties of the asymptotic tests based on the asymptotic standard errors with the bootstrap tests based on the bootstrap confidence interval in the Probit model. The asymptotic tests work surprisingly well even when the sample size is quite small (e.g., n = 30) for the test of exclusion hypothesis β = 0. The bootstrap tests work similarly well. It shares essentially the same size and power property of the asymptotic tests when the null hypothesis is β = 0. However, the small sample probit estimators can be seriously biased when β/σ is large. Consequently, when we are interested in the non-exclusion hypothesis such as β/σ = 1, the conventional asymptotic tests can suffer size distortion and low power. But, following our simulation results, the size of the bootstrap tests is quite robust to the presence of the bias and the power is much better. Therefore, the bootstrap approach has some limited usefulness in practice when we are interested in the non-exclusion tests such as β/σ = 1 in the probit model.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001222, ucf:46914
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001222
- Title
- THE IMPACT OF COMPUTER BASED SIMULATION TRAINING ON LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT.
- Creator
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Sidor, Stanley, House, Jess, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between measures of emotional intelligence after participation in a simulation based leadership development program as applied to a student cohort at a community college. Additionally, this study was conducted to investigate significant differences in emotional intelligence subscales when compared to the categorical variables of age, race, gender, position type, number of years employed, and time. All 300 students in the...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between measures of emotional intelligence after participation in a simulation based leadership development program as applied to a student cohort at a community college. Additionally, this study was conducted to investigate significant differences in emotional intelligence subscales when compared to the categorical variables of age, race, gender, position type, number of years employed, and time. All 300 students in the introductory management classes in the Bachelors of Applied Science business principles classes in the Business program were invited to participate. A total of 201 questionnaires representing 103 individuals were returned, garnering a 67% initial return rate; the total number of useable surveys was 182 representing 91 individuals for a final useable return rate of 60.7%. An analysis of the relationship between the measures of emotional intelligence before and after participating in leadership simulation revealed statistically significant differences after participation in the leadership simulation. There was a significant increase in respondent scores in three of the four subscales after the respondents participated in the Virtual Leader simulation: (a) self-emotion appraisal (SEA), p = .031; (b) others emotion appraisal (OEA), p = .002; and (c) regulation of emotion (ROE), p =.002. The emotional intelligence construct, use of emotion (UOE), p = .061, did not demonstrate statistical significance. A statistical analysis of all combinations and interactions of the categorical variables (age, race, gender, years employed, and position types compared to the value
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001705, ucf:47330
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001705
- Title
- DEVELOPING MICROSCOPIC TOLL PLAZA MODEL USING PARAMICS.
- Creator
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Nezamuddin, Nezamuddin, Al-Deek, Haitham, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Simulation modeling is the most cost-effective way of studying real life transportation problems, either existing or anticipated, without disturbing the balance of the transportation system. There is a vast suite of simulation models available in market, ready to choose from macroscopic, mesoscopic, or microscopic in nature, to study different transportation system elements like freeways, highways, signalized and un-signalized intersections. However, most of these network simulation models,...
Show moreSimulation modeling is the most cost-effective way of studying real life transportation problems, either existing or anticipated, without disturbing the balance of the transportation system. There is a vast suite of simulation models available in market, ready to choose from macroscopic, mesoscopic, or microscopic in nature, to study different transportation system elements like freeways, highways, signalized and un-signalized intersections. However, most of these network simulation models, like PARAMICS, VISSIM, CORSIM … etc, do not come readily available with built in toll plaza models. On the other hand, many researchers have independently developed toll plaza models, which can only model an isolated toll plaza without the road network. These toll plaza models, which are based on queuing theory (and some are macroscopic in nature), do not take into account headway, gap acceptance, or inter-vehicle interaction to follow a lead car or to perform lane changing maneuvers. Vehicles just upstream of the toll plaza are assigned to one of the toll lanes, solely based on the payment method (manual, automatic coin machine, or electronic toll collection) and queue lengths at the toll lanes. For instance, if a vehicle is traveling in the leftmost lane and the rightmost toll lane has the shortest queue length, then the queuing model will assign this vehicle to the rightmost lane, and the vehicle will do unrealistic maneuvering to reach to the assigned toll lane instantly. Microscopic network simulation models simulate the vehicular movements based on lane-changing and car-following rules. If such a model could be customized to serve the purpose of the toll plaza simulation, it will simulate the vehicular movements just upstream and downstream of the toll plaza more realistically. Being a network simulation model, it can also model the road network integrated with the plaza, which can be used to study the entire toll road corridor, unlike the isolated toll plaza models. In addition to being a microscopic network simulation model, PARAMICS has many simulation tools, which can be customized to develop a network model with enhanced toll plaza simulation capabilities. PARAMICS also provides the flexibility of using an aerial picture of the toll plaza and upstream/downstream sections of the road as overlay, to ensure that the toll plaza model operates under similar geometric conditions as the real plaza. Using an overlay, exact details of the transition area can be fed into the model. In real life, there is a smooth transition (in terms of the number of lanes and the width of the roadway) from the uniform free-flowing section of the roadway to the toll plaza. Detailed representation of the transition area, in terms of geometry and curb of the roadway along with the number of lanes, is essential for a realistic toll plaza simulation. This kind of detail is not available in a queuing model. As the roadway approaches the toll plaza, it contains more lanes compared to its upstream segments. However, in a simulation model vehicles have a tendency to maintain the same old lanes, and the newly added lanes remain unoccupied by the vehicles. Next-lane Allocation feature in PARAMICS can be used to map upstream lanes onto downstream lanes, preventing this unrealistic behavior from occurring in the simulation model. It tells the vehicles in a particular upstream lane to choose from one or more of the downstream lanes as per the settings. Next-lane allocation can be used in such a manner that all the downstream lanes are utilized. PARAMICS has several other tools such as Restrictions Manager, Vehicle Type Manager, Lane-choices Rules, HOV Lanes, and Vehicle Actuated (VA) Signals which can be used in combination to build a toll plaza model. A microscopic 'Holland East Plaza - SR408' network model has been developed using PARAMICS V5.1. This model contains the plaza and the downstream section of SR 408 Westbound till I-4 interchange in downtown Orlando. This model has been successfully calibrated and validated for the mainline toll plaza and ramp volumes for year 2004. Several hypothetical incident scenarios were simulated to study an entire corridor from the toll plaza to Interstate 4. It was found that the volumes on I-4 off-ramp and SR 408 mainline were affected the most under incident conditions. Volumes for other ramps were not affected in the same proportions. An incident on mainline toll road affected the throughput of the plaza significantly, but the same is not true for an incident on an off-ramp. Travel times to I-4 off-ramps and SR 408 thru lanes were the most sensitive in each of the incident scenarios. In case of the elimination of tolls during the hurricane evacuation, the throughput of the plaza increased significantly. Travel times for the vehicles coming through the plaza and going to different destinations decreased significantly, while it increased for vehicles using on-ramps, because of their inability to merge in the mainline traffic due to the increased toll road volume. The developed model in this thesis has the potential of transportation network wide applications with multiple toll plazas.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001183, ucf:46851
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001183
- Title
- Multiscale simulation of laser ablation and processing of semiconductor materials.
- Creator
-
Shokeen, Lalit, Schelling, Patrick, Kar, Aravinda, Vaidyanathan, Rajan, Su, Ming, Kara, Abdelkader, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
We present a multiscale model of laser-solid interactions in silicon based on an empirical potential developed under conditions of strong electronic excitations. The parameters of the interatomic potential depends on the temperature of the electronic subsystem Te, which is directly related to the density of the electron-hole pairs and hence the number of broken bonds. We analyze the dynamics of this potential as a function of electronic temperature Te and lattice temperature Tion. The...
Show moreWe present a multiscale model of laser-solid interactions in silicon based on an empirical potential developed under conditions of strong electronic excitations. The parameters of the interatomic potential depends on the temperature of the electronic subsystem Te, which is directly related to the density of the electron-hole pairs and hence the number of broken bonds. We analyze the dynamics of this potential as a function of electronic temperature Te and lattice temperature Tion. The potential predicts phonon spectra in good agreement with finite-temperature density-functional theory (DFT), including the lattice instability induced by the high electronic excitations. For 25fs pulse, a wide range of fluence values is simulated resulting in heterogeneous melting, homogenous melting, and ablation. The results presented demonstrate that phase transitions can usually be described by ordinary thermal processes even when the electronic temperature Te is much greater than the lattice temperature TL during the transition. However, the evolution of the system and details of the phase transitions depend strongly on Te and corresponding density of broken bonds. For high enough laser fluence, homogeneous melting is followed by rapid expansion of the superheated liquid and ablation. Rapid expansion of the superheated liquid occurs partly due to the high pressures generated by a high density of broken bonds. As a result, the system is readily driven into the liquid-vapor coexistence region, which initiates phase explosion. The results strongly indicates that phase explosion, generally thought of as an ordinary thermal process, can occur even under strong non-equilibrium conditions when Te (>)(>)TL. In summary, a detailed investigation of laser-solid interactions in silicon is presented for femtosecond laser pulse that yields strong far-from-equilibrium conditions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004599, ucf:49206
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004599
- Title
- Personal Computer Simulation Program for Step Motor Drive Systems.
- Creator
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Koos, William M., Harden, Richard C., Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
University of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; A system of equations modeling a class of step motors known as the permanent magnet rotor step motor is presented. The model is implemented on a APPLE personal computer in a version of BASIC. Measurements are then made on an existing motor and input to the program for validation. A special test fixture is utilized to take performance data on the motor to facilitate comparisons with the predictions of the program. The comparisons...
Show moreUniversity of Central Florida College of Engineering Thesis; A system of equations modeling a class of step motors known as the permanent magnet rotor step motor is presented. The model is implemented on a APPLE personal computer in a version of BASIC. Measurements are then made on an existing motor and input to the program for validation. A special test fixture is utilized to take performance data on the motor to facilitate comparisons with the predictions of the program. The comparisons show the model is indeed valid for design of step motor drive systems and emphasize the practical nature of using personal computers and simulations for design
Show less - Date Issued
- 1982
- Identifier
- CFR0008163, ucf:53067
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0008163
- Title
- Functional Cost Estimating Techniques Applied to Operational Flight Trainers.
- Creator
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Gardner, James H., Doering, R. D., Engineering
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Engineering Thesis
- Date Issued
- 1977
- Identifier
- CFR0011986, ucf:53098
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0011986
- Title
- A STUDY ON THE ANALYZING PRIORITY OF LIMITING FACTORS IN LIVE, VIRTUAL, AND CONSTRUCTIVE (LVC) SIMULATION INTEROPERABILITY USING ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP) METHOD.
- Creator
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Yoo, Youngkun, Lee, Gene, Rabelo, Luis, Elshennawy, Ahmad, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Each Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) simulation model has been developed and used with many benefits. When system developers created each simulation model, focused on specific standards to fit to their own respective purposes. Consequently, there have been interoperability issues among simulation models that have many limitations. To be specific, despite various efforts to achieve and maintain complete interoperability in LVC simulation environment, substantial limiting factors have...
Show moreEach Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) simulation model has been developed and used with many benefits. When system developers created each simulation model, focused on specific standards to fit to their own respective purposes. Consequently, there have been interoperability issues among simulation models that have many limitations. To be specific, despite various efforts to achieve and maintain complete interoperability in LVC simulation environment, substantial limiting factors have remained in technical and managerial fields. Thus, analyzing and prioritizing limiting factors in LVC simulation is the effective way to solve interoperability problems while saving budget and time. The purpose of this research is to analyze the priority of limiting factors in LVC simulation interoperability. Based on the identified limiting factors from the literature review, this study performed Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) survey to generate weights of experts' judgement for each limiting factor. Following the AHP survey targeted to LVC simulation experts, this researcher suggest the priority of limiting factors that are needed to be focused on as well as recommendations for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005912, ucf:50849
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005912
- Title
- Impact of Dynamic Message Signs on Driver Behavior Under Reduced Visibility Conditions.
- Creator
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Selby, Ryan, Abdel-Aty, Mohamed, Eluru, Naveen, Lee, JaeYoung, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Fog along roadways is a dangerous hazard that leads to crashes resulting from limited visibility. Low visibility gives drivers less time to react to potential obstacles that can suddenly appear and require immediate action. To solve this issue, early warning systems involving Dynamic Message Signs or other types of devices are used to alert drivers of the impending visibility condition so that they are prepared. This research focuses on testing the effectiveness of one form of warning systems...
Show moreFog along roadways is a dangerous hazard that leads to crashes resulting from limited visibility. Low visibility gives drivers less time to react to potential obstacles that can suddenly appear and require immediate action. To solve this issue, early warning systems involving Dynamic Message Signs or other types of devices are used to alert drivers of the impending visibility condition so that they are prepared. This research focuses on testing the effectiveness of one form of warning systems to investigate how it impacts driver behavior in foggy conditions. To accomplish this objective, a simulation study is developed to test variables of interest including: Roadway Type, Fog Level, DMS Presence, Beacon Presence, Traffic Volume, and DMS Message Provided. Using a factorial design, 24 scenarios are created by randomizing the variables listed using statistical software to be tested on 72 volunteer participants. Using a NADS MiniSim Driving Simulator, the participants driving behavior is recorded including speed and breaking behavior under an initial clear condition followed by a reduced visibility fog condition. From demographics, drivers age 35 and over consistently showed a higher likelihood of speed reduction between clear and fog conditions with overall reduction increasing with age. This is seen when looking at the mean change in speed based on driver age where young drivers (18-25 yrs) reduced speeds by 7MPH, older drivers (35-45 yrs) reduced by 12MPH, and elder drivers (65+ yrs) reduced by 17MPH. The more often a person drove and those that were educated at a graduate level also showed a higher chance of speed reductions. This demonstrates the impact of experience and exposure to driving performance under reduced visibility conditions. Those who recently drove under fog conditions or learned to drive in Florida were found to be less likely to reduce their speeds when entering the fog. This is attributed to these drivers being confident or familiar with the environment resulting in risky driving behavior. For the scenario variables, it is determined that the type of roadway a driver travels plays a major role in how much speed reduction occurs and thus how much a driver decelerates when entering a low visibility environment. On average, drivers traversed the fog zone at 50MPH with the lowest travel speed being 30MPH. Since the speed limit on the freeway is 5MPH higher than the arterial, drivers' traveling along this road are noted to decelerate at higher rates to achieve this target speed. Additionally, DMS presence and message also provided an impact on the drivers' choice to decelerate and reduce travel speed within the fog condition. Under the most severe conditions, the probability of a driver reducing speed increases as the number of DMS present increases. Additionally, when a DMS presents a warning and specifies the action that a driver should take, in this case 'reduce speed,' greater speed reductions and decelerations are observed and are more likely to occur. Interestingly the number of DMS did not have a significant impact on driver behavior under every fog condition like the message presented did except in the most severe fog condition. Taking into account that 33% of drivers did not accurately remember the number of DMS encountered it can be concluded that the warning message itself is the most important aspect of the early warning system. This indicates that drivers accurately remember being directed to reduce speed whether they are given the advisement once or multiple times based on the number of DMS present. Further research into how the warning message is presented or worded could provide additional insight into the impact it can have on driver behavior. Since it is observed that drivers acknowledge the 'reduce speed' advisement, it is likely that specifying a specific speed limit could also warrant driver obedience. Additional testing and observation of driver reaction to larger traffic volumes and situations within the fog would also allow for further analysis of driver behavior under reduced visibility and the impact the early warning system has on their behavior.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006179, ucf:51116
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006179
- Title
- Analysis of Alternative Convoy Route Patrol Procedures for Countering Improvised Explosive Devices Deployed During Asymmetric Warfare in Afghanistan-like Rural Settings.
- Creator
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Baca, Larry, Proctor, Michael, Kincaid, John, Morrow, Patricia Bockelman, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are the greatest casualty producing and costly weapon system employed by the enemy on the asymmetric battlefield of today. Despite Billions of dollars spent on technological devices to counter the IED threat, IEDs are still responsible for roughly 50% of battlefield casualties. A tremendous amount of effort and resource has and continues to be levied in the pursuit of a technological solution to the IED problem. By contrast, little research has been done on...
Show moreImprovised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are the greatest casualty producing and costly weapon system employed by the enemy on the asymmetric battlefield of today. Despite Billions of dollars spent on technological devices to counter the IED threat, IEDs are still responsible for roughly 50% of battlefield casualties. A tremendous amount of effort and resource has and continues to be levied in the pursuit of a technological solution to the IED problem. By contrast, little research has been done on Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) procedures. This paper explores the potential of CIED procedures as a casualty reduction mechanism by comparing two observed tactical procedures used in patrolling convoy routes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006525, ucf:51376
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006525
- Title
- DEVELOPING AN OBJECT-ORIENTED APPROACH FOR OPERATIONS SIMULATION IN SPEEDES.
- Creator
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Wasadikar, Amit, Rabelo, Luis, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Using simulation techniques, performance of any proposed system can be tested for different scenarios with a generated model. However, it is difficult to rapidly create simulation models that will accurately represent the complexity of the system. In recent years, Object-Oriented Discrete-Event Simulation has emerged as the potential technology to implement rapid simulation schemes. A number of software based on programming languages like C++ and Java are available for carrying out Object...
Show moreUsing simulation techniques, performance of any proposed system can be tested for different scenarios with a generated model. However, it is difficult to rapidly create simulation models that will accurately represent the complexity of the system. In recent years, Object-Oriented Discrete-Event Simulation has emerged as the potential technology to implement rapid simulation schemes. A number of software based on programming languages like C++ and Java are available for carrying out Object Oriented Discrete-Event Simulation. These software packages establish a general framework for simulation in computer programs, but need to be further customized for desired end-use applications. In this thesis, a generic simulation library is created for the distributed Synchronous Parallel Environment for Emulation and Discrete-Event Simulation (SPEEDES). This library offers classes to model the functionality of servers, processes, resources, transporters, and decisions. The library is expected to produce efficient simulation models in less time and with a lesser amount of coding. The class hierarchy is modeled using the Unified Modeling Language (UML). To test the library, the existing SPEEDES Space Shuttle Model is enhanced and recreated. This enhanced model is successfully validated against the original Arena model.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000332, ucf:46278
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000332
- Title
- DEVELOPMEMNT OF A MODELING AND SIMULATION TRAINING NEEDS MODEL FOR SELECTED DEFENSE ACQUISITION WORKFORCE COMMUNITIES.
- Creator
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PEH, LIK CHUN, PROCTOR, MICHAEL, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The DoD Modeling and Simulation Steering Committee (M&S SC) identified Modeling and Simulation (M&S) as an educational objective for the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) workforce. Notably, past usages of M&S in system acquisitions for both DoD and commercial industry have demonstrated improvements in efficiency and effectiveness over traditional acquisition techniques. However, to achieve expected and consistent performance by this workforce in these new techniques, the M&S...
Show moreThe DoD Modeling and Simulation Steering Committee (M&S SC) identified Modeling and Simulation (M&S) as an educational objective for the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) workforce. Notably, past usages of M&S in system acquisitions for both DoD and commercial industry have demonstrated improvements in efficiency and effectiveness over traditional acquisition techniques. However, to achieve expected and consistent performance by this workforce in these new techniques, the M&S essential skill requirements for this workforce may be extensive. This research aims to validate the content and level of competency in selected M&S tools and technology necessary for consistent workforce performance. The notion here is to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in the acquisition process through thresholds of competency that must be resident in or available to the acquisition workforce. This research proposes a matrix of training objectives and levels of competency for portions of the AT&L workforce that was validated through survey by individuals who are leading experts in both M&S and acquisition. This effort combines rigorously defined learning objectives and parameters by academia with practical learning insights from the military and industry ground perspectives. The resultant Joint Learning Model aims to identify the workforce educational foundations necessary to achieve more widespread efficiency and effectiveness in current and future DoD acquisitions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002110, ucf:47536
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002110
- Title
- THE USE OF PC BASED SIMULATION SYSTEMS IN THE TRAINING OF ARMY INFANTRY OFFICERS – AN EVALUATION OF THE RAPID DECISION TRAINER.
- Creator
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Lucario, Thomas, Proctor, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This research considers two modes of training Army infantry officers in initial training to conduct a platoon live fire exercise. Leaders from groups that were training with the current classroom training methods were compared to leaders from groups whose training was augmented with a PC based training system known as the Rapid Decision Trainer (RDT). The RDT was developed by the US Army Research Development and Engineering Command for the purpose of aiding in the training of tactical...
Show moreThis research considers two modes of training Army infantry officers in initial training to conduct a platoon live fire exercise. Leaders from groups that were training with the current classroom training methods were compared to leaders from groups whose training was augmented with a PC based training system known as the Rapid Decision Trainer (RDT). The RDT was developed by the US Army Research Development and Engineering Command for the purpose of aiding in the training of tactical decision making and troop leading procedures of officers in the initial levels of training to become rifle platoon leaders. The RDT allows the leader in training to run through platoon level operations prior to live execution in a simulated combat environment. The focus of the system is on leadership tasks and decision making in areas such as unit movement, internal unit communication and contingency planning, and other dismounted infantry operations. Over the past year, some Infantry Officer Basic Course platoons at Ft. Benning have used the RDT in an experimental manner. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the system is beneficial in training IOBC officers. The Army Research Institute (ARI) conducted a preliminary evaluation of the RDT in March 2005 (Beal 2005). However, no quantitative measures were used in the evaluation of the RDT, only subjective evaluations of the users. Additionally, there were no formal evaluations by the training cadre, only the users themselves. This experiment continues the work of ARI and uses qualitative and quantitative data from both users and the evaluating cadre. In this experiment, the effectiveness of the RDT was evaluated through measuring leader behaviors and personal preferences. Three measurement approaches were used; (1) quantitative performance measures of leader actions, (2) qualitative situational awareness and evaluations of inclusion in the non leader players, and (3) a qualitative evaluation of the system's usability and effectiveness by system users. Analysis reveals statistically significant findings that challenge the current norms.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0000990, ucf:46716
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000990
- Title
- A COMMON COMPONENT-BASED SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE FOR MILITARY AND COMMERCIAL PC-BASED VIRTUAL SIMULATION.
- Creator
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Lewis, Joshua, Proctor, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Commercially available military-themed virtual simulations have been developed and sold for entertainment since the beginning of the personal computing era. There exists an intense interest by various branches of the military to leverage the technological advances of the personal computing and video game industries to provide low cost military training. By nature of the content of the commercial military-themed virtual simulations, a large overlap has grown between the interests, resources,...
Show moreCommercially available military-themed virtual simulations have been developed and sold for entertainment since the beginning of the personal computing era. There exists an intense interest by various branches of the military to leverage the technological advances of the personal computing and video game industries to provide low cost military training. By nature of the content of the commercial military-themed virtual simulations, a large overlap has grown between the interests, resources, standards, and technology of the computer entertainment industry and military training branches. This research attempts to identify these commonalities with the purpose of systematically designing and evaluating a common component-based software architecture that could be used to implement a framework for developing content for both commercial and military virtual simulation software applications.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001177, ucf:46868
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001177
- Title
- A HYBRID SYSTEM DYNAMICS-DISCRETE EVENT SIMULATIONAPPROACH TO SIMULATING THE MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISE.
- Creator
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Helal, Magdy, Rabelo, Luis, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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With the advances in the information and computing technologies, the ways the manufacturing enterprise systems are being managed are changing. More integration and adoption of the system perspective push further towards a more flattened enterprise. This, in addition to the varying levels of aggregation and details and the presence of the continuous and discrete types of behavior, created serious challenges for the use of the existing simulation tools for simulating the modern manufacturing...
Show moreWith the advances in the information and computing technologies, the ways the manufacturing enterprise systems are being managed are changing. More integration and adoption of the system perspective push further towards a more flattened enterprise. This, in addition to the varying levels of aggregation and details and the presence of the continuous and discrete types of behavior, created serious challenges for the use of the existing simulation tools for simulating the modern manufacturing enterprise system. The commonly used discrete event simulation (DES) techniques face difficulties in modeling such integrated systems due to increased model complexity, the lack of data at the aggregate management levels, and the unsuitability of DES to model the financial sectors of the enterprise. System dynamics (SD) has been effective in providing the needs of top management levels but unsuccessful in offering the needed granularity at the detailed operational levels of the manufacturing system. On the other hand the existing hybrid continuous-discrete tools are based on certain assumptions that do not fit the requirements of the common decision making situations in the business systems. This research has identified a need for new simulation modeling approaches that responds to the changing business environments towards more integration and flattened enterprise systems. These tools should be able to develop comprehensive models that are inexpensive, scalable, and able to accommodate the continuous and discrete modes of behavior, the stochastic and deterministic natures of the various business units, and the detail complexity and dynamic complexity perspectives in decision making. The research proposes and develops a framework to combine and synchronize the SD and DES simulation paradigms to simulate the manufacturing enterprise system. The new approach can respond to the identified requirements in simulating the modern manufacturing enterprise systems. It is directed toward building comprehensive simulation models that can accommodate all management levels while explicitly recognizing the differences between them in terms of scope and frequency of decision making as well as the levels of details preferred and used at each level. This SDDES framework maintains the integrity of the two simulation paradigms and can use existing/legacy simulation models without requiring learning new simulation or computer programming skills. The new framework uses a modular structure by which the SD and DES models are treated as members of a comprehensive simulation. A new synchronization mechanism that that maintains the integrity of the two simulation paradigms and is not event-driven is utilized to coordinate the interactions between the simulation modules. It avoids having one simulation paradigm dominating the other. For communication and model management purposes the SDDES formalism provides a generic format to describe, specify, and document the simulation modules and the information sharing processes. The SDDES controller which is the communication manager, implements the synchronization mechanism and manages the simulation run ensuring correct exchange of data in terms of timeliness and format, between the modules. It also offers the user interface through which users interact with the simulation modules.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002264, ucf:47835
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002264
