Using Environmental Simulation to Test the Validity of Code Requirements

Environmental simulation is a means of matching the design of specific environmental features to human performance capabilities. When researchers systematically model realistic environments that people can move through and manipulate, subjects can comprehend both the level of effort required to use specific environmental features as well as the impact of size and proportions. Moreover, simulations permit observers to assess problems encountered with use and to identify limitations of the design directly, rather than having to rely on subjective evaluations of the user (Steinfeld, 1988). As a consequence, full-scale simulation affords the ability to evaluate the usability and safety of one or more environmental features under controlled conditions that are not available in the real world. This is particularly useful in evaluating the performance and safety impacts of alternative environmental variables (Stokols, 1993).