Choose one specific area within Civil Engineering (e.g. transportation, construction, geotechnical, structural, water resources, infrastructure systems) and examine how Human Factors concepts can enhance
CVEN4405 Application of Human Factors in Civil Engineering Group Assignment 2025/26 | UNSW Sydney
| Academic Year | 2025/26 |
|---|
CVEN4405 Assignment
Application of Human Factors in Civil Engineering Group Assignment Summary (30%) This individual assessment invites you to explore the application of Human Factors (HF) in a chosen area of Civil Engineering. Through structured analysis, you will demonstrate how HF principles can be embedded into engineering design, decision-making, or systems to improve safety, usability, efficiency, or sustainability.
Assignment Task
Choose one specific area within Civil Engineering (e.g. transportation, construction, geotechnical, structural, water resources, infrastructure systems) and examine how Human Factors concepts can enhance performance or reduce risks.
You must address four parts in your report:
Part 1: Scoping the Problem (~2 pages)
- Clearly define the engineering challenge or risk area that could benefit from the integration of HF principles.
- Introduce the system, environment, or context.
- Describe the current gaps, inefficiencies, risks, or user challenges.
- Justify why a Human Factors approach is relevant and valuable in this context.
Part 2: Applying Human Factors Principles (~3 pages)
- Apply Human Factors theories or principles.
- Describe the applicable HF concepts or models.
- Analyse how these concepts explain or illuminate aspects of the problem.
- Use diagrams, simulations, or examples to support your explanation.
Part 3: Developing Interventions and Evidence Base (~4 pages)
- Propose realistic, evidence-based interventions informed by Human Factors.
- Describe the intervention(s): design, policy, behavioural, or training-based. - Support with academic literature or case studies. - Evaluate expected impacts: safety, usability, efficiency, etc.
- Discuss feasibility and potential implementation barriers.
Part 4: Conclusion & Recommendations (~1 page)
- Summarise the value of HF in your chosen civil engineering area.
- Provide key recommendations.
- Reflect briefly on broader implications for practice or future design. Submission Requirements
- Word document or PDF
- Professional formatting with appropriate headings
- Include graphs/figures if applicable
- Use APA or IEEE referencing style
- Submit via Moodle before deadline
- Pages: No more than 10 pages (excluding references)
- Due Date: Week 8, deadline outlined in course profile
CVEN4405 Marking Rubric for Group Assignment (30%)
Criteria | High Distinction (85-100%) | Credit (65-74%) | Fail (0-49%) |
Problem Scope & Justification | Clearly defined, complex, real-world issue; excellent justification of HF relevance | Reasonably defined problem; good justification | Vague or irrelevant problem; no clear justification |
Application of HF Concepts | Sophisticated application of multiple HF principles; excellent theoretical depth | Adequate application; some theoretical integration | Poor or incorrect use of HF principles |
Interventions & Evidence Base | Innovative and feasible solutions; strongly evidence-based and well-explained | Practical solutions; some evidence from literature | No clear interventions or evidence |
Conclusion & Recommendations | Strong synthesis; clear, insightful and well-grounded recommendations | Adequate synthesis; reasonable recommendations | No real synthesis or value-added recommendations |
Individual Assignment Self-Reflection (10%)
Reflect and critique your group project in not more than two pages. Discuss your contribution to the project from Human Factors in engineering.
Submission Requirements
- Word document or PDF
- Professional formatting with appropriate headings
- Use APA or IEEE referencing style
- Submit via Moodle before deadline
- Pages: No more than 2 pages (excluding references)
- Due Date: Week 10, deadline outlined in course profile
Criteria | High Distinction (85–100%) | Credit (65–74%) | Pass (50–64%) | Fail (0–49%) |
Depth of Reflection | Offers a thoughtful and insightful analysis of the project and personal role | Some reflective insight; identifies key contributions | Basic reflection; limited depth or critical analysis | Lacks reflection on contribution or learning |
Human Factors Concepts | Strong and explicit connection to HF principles/project | General links with some evidence of applying HF concepts | Mentions HF concepts but with weak explanation | No clear reference to Human Factors concepts |
Personal Contribution | Clearly articulates specific, meaningful contributions to group outcomes | Describes individual role with some clarity and relevance | Contribution described in vague or generic terms | No clear explanation of personal role |
Critical Thinking | Demonstrates awareness of strengths, limitations, and team dynamics | Some recognition of challenges and group processes | Limited assessment or only positive/negative comments without analysis | No critique or self-awareness; lacks analysis |
Structure & Presentation | Logically structured, professionally presented, well-written, within page limit | Clear structure and generally well-written | Minor issues in flow or formatting | Poorly written or structured; major issues in clarity |
