Risk identification
This experiment was performed as a general test of the technological equipment and functions of RCR Simulation Lab. The participants were students of Mid Sweden University and were tasked with identifying risks in an airport environment.
In pairs, the participants walked into a simulated arrival hall and discussed what apparent or hypothetical risks they perceived in the airport environment.
The participants were divided in two groups. Before doing the task, the groups received different information. One group were explicitly asked to think in the terms of risks, whereas the other group also received information about equality, diversity and accessibility. Since the experiment was performed in order to test the laboratory and learn how to practically carry out experiments, there was no theoretical ground or analysis for the data that was collected. However, the two groups differed as expected. Participants that were asked to think of risks from a broader perspective identified more risks from a diversity perspective than the control group.
For the simulation, a still image of the arrival hall in Åre-Östersund Airport was projected in 360 degrees. In order to tie the picture projected on the walls to the simulation room floors, yellow tape on the floor was used for creating depth into the yellow floor lines visible in the airport picture. Luggage was placed in the simulation room and typical airport sounds could be heard from speakers in the simulation room, including recorded sounds of luggage being dragged, jet engines and airport announcements. Participants were outfitted with security vests, so they could further embrace their roles in the scenario.
The participants were recorded by microphones and video cameras while performing the risk identification task. At the same time, an operator in the control room was listening and making marks whenever a new risk was mentioned by participants. Another operator controlled the video cameras in the simulation room to ensure that the participants were visible at all times. An additional operator in the control room controlled the sound effects, whilst one observer made notes.