This research investigates a quantitative methodology for the inclusion of fatigue, induced by sleep deprivation, in human reliability analysis (HRA). A statistical approach is developed for the use of empirical data in deriving performance shaping factor (PSF) coefficients that could be used in quantitative HRA methods. PSFs are used in human reliability analysis to modify general human error probabilities to situation specific conditions. Current HRA methods mostly rely on expert opinion to select PSF coefficients; the use of empirical data will reduce this reliance on expert opinion and help develop an improved technical basis for HRA. A review of existing HRA methods revealed that fatigue or sleep deprivation was not explicitly included. Literature on sleep deprivation effects on performance (e.g., reaction time) was reviewed. Data were extracted from the identified studies according to the meta-analysis research synthesis method and used to analyze the effect of sleep deprivation on performance. The data were used to estimate effect sizes, performance trends, and error probabilities. The error probabilities under sleep deprived and control conditions were compared, and the resulting probability ratios are suggested for use in informing the selection of PSF coefficients in HRA methods.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oklahoma State University, 2009. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oklahoma State University, 2009. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oklahoma State University, 2009. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Some environmental engineers do not understand how to perceive profitable opportunities in redeveloping the large number of contaminated brownfield sites in New Jersey. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to find effective decision-making strategies that help environmental engineers acquire profitable environmental redevelopment projects. The target population consisted of 4 environmental engineers in an environmental organization in Camden County, New Jersey who possessed proven decision-making strategies that helped them acquire profitable environmental redevelopment projects in the past 5 years. The conceptual framework for this study was the multiple criteria decision method (MCDM). Semistructured interviews were conducted with the engineers, and company documents were additional sources of data gathered. Triangulation and member checking were used to ensure the trustworthiness of interpretations. Five themes emerged from the analyses relating to strategies for an MCDM assessment in project management, a go/no-go assessment in project selections, education and training, ethics as an organizational value, and project management. These findings may lead to social change in Camden County, New Jersey community organizations, such as schools, daycare centers, and local businesses, which may benefit from the knowledge and safety recommendations of remediation decision making. Furthermore, these findings may provide opportunities for environment organizations to teach and train stakeholders on environmental processes while providing profitable opportunities to shareholders through sustainable practices.