Physical planning and infrastructure, towards a requirements specification

A modern laboratory for human-machine interaction research require considerable physical facilities. The control room proper is just one of several rooms needed for planning, performing and analysing experiments. Preferably there should be available rooms for all related tasks to be performed in the close vicinity of the central control room, as this makes for the most efficient performance of the laboratory as a whole. Computers and computerised support systems have become commonplace in new control rooms, the use of digital equipment is expected to increase in the years to come. An experimental control room must be equipped to meet this challenge, this means that one must plan for extensive computer resources and networks to stay in the forefront of this development. In addition there has to be quite extensive computer systems available for planning purposes, data recording and analysis. Measuring and recording equipment such as audio-video recorders, equipment for measuring physiological parameters etc. have become standard in a well equipped laboratory and are included here as part of the infrastructure. The report presents an overview of room requirements and equipment deemed necessary for a high quality facility. It is intended as a first step towards a requirements specification, but in view of the impact the physical framework may have on future utilisation for the facility one should carefully weigh benefits against costs. All interested parties should have an opportunity to express their views before a final requirements specification is worked out, and the report therefore has a twofold purpose: To present a first list of requirements and to serve as background material for a decision on the physical resources required for HAMMLAB 2000. (author)