Validating an integrated workload scale for vessel traffic services
A comparative assessment with Nasa-TLX
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21623492 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Fernando Crestelo Moreno (0000-0003-4090-076X, Universidad de Oviedo, corresponding author), Jesus A García Maza (0000-0002-1843-0629, Universidad de Oviedo) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Current Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1046-1310 • E-ISSN: 1936-4733 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12144-025-08918-1 |
| OpenAlex | W7128421561 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 36 |
Vessel Traffic Services Operators (VTSOs) work in safety-critical environments that require constant monitoring of cognitive workload to ensure maritime safety. This study validates the Integrated Workload Scale (IWS), a real-time, color-coded tool co-developed with VTSOs for intuitive workload assessment. The reliability and construct validity of the IWS were evaluated by comparing its scores with those from the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), and operational indicators, including task type and emergency involvement. Data were collected from 23 VTSOs (14 males, 9 females; mean age = 42 ± 9.6 years) at two Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers in Spain that jointly managed more than 15,000 vessels and 500 emergencies annually. The IWS demonstrated strong internal consistency and high convergent validity with NASA-TLX scores (ρ = 0.842, p p = .008), with 72% of operators reporting higher fatigue during night shifts. Thermographic data confirmed physiological sensitivity to workload, especially during night shifts. Unlike retrospective measures, the IWS enables real-time monitoring and operational decision-making. These findings establish the IWS as a reliable and context-sensitive instrument for improving fatigue management in maritime operations
Construct validity · Rating scale · Task Analysis · Workload · Human-Automation Interaction and Safety · Maritime Navigation and Safety · Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
| Highly cited | No |
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