A QFD-Enabled Conceptualization for Reducing Alarm Fatigue in Vessel Traffic Service Centre

Alarm fatigue refers to distrust or neglect of triggered alarms. Alarm fatigue in Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) centre would impair the performance of VTS operators (VTSOs), and reduce their situation awareness. To reduce alarm fatigue, some advanced technologies have been applied in the alarm system. However, human limitations, which may be the root cause of alarm fatigue, remain to be further studied. In this study, user requirements (URs) were analysed by the qualification function deployment (QFD) method to propose new modules for the alarm system of VTS. These modules are expected to reduce alarm fatigue by considering human limitation. To achieve this aim, three steps were conducted. Firstly, URs were obtained through expert interviews in local VTS centre. Secondly, the QFD method was adopted to select prioritized design requirements (DRs). Finally, three modules for the alarm system of VTS were proposed to meet DRs. They are automated case-based track assignment module; adaptive multi-parameter alarm generation module; and adaptive multimodal alarm presentation module.