Human engineering considerations in designing a computerized controlled access security system

The authors describe human engineering effort in the design of a major security system upgrade at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This upgrade was to be accomplished by replacing obsolete and difficult-to-man (i.e. multiple-operator task actions required) security equipment and systems with a new, automated, computer-based access control system. The computerized access system was intended to control entry-sensitive exclusion areas by requiring personnel to use an entry-booth-based system and/or a remote-access control panel system. Each of the entry systems presented some common design objectives, such as accommodating a user population which ranged from 39 in. to 78 in. However, the booth entry system presented a large number of unique and challenging problems relating to the handicapped portion of the laboratory population. The result of the preliminary design effort was the fabrication of a static-scale mock-up of the entry booth system and the remote control panel system. Design studies and tests were conducted using a full-scale mock-up and two operational prototypes.<>