Measuring human factors in port activities by using simulation

This paper describes the Cagliari University portanier cranes simulator, an idea born with the goal to reduce mistakes of the quay crane operator, whose operations are virtually reproduced by the physical simulation model. The quay crane operator is even more under stress due to the growing number of functionalities of the new generations of portanier cranes and to the fact that the personnel is requested with a deeper and deeper level of specialization to operate in the maritime via container transportation, a sector that is living an exponential growth in the last years. The paper will introduce the main simulator components: shelter installation with a 6 degrees of freedom motion platform, for a higher immersive performance to improve training but also to develop a base and applied research, whose goal is to analyze operator performance, by electro medical devices. By the use of the Cagliari simulator (in training, r&d and technological development) we have the goal to reduce accidents, that are usually due to fatigue.