CVEN4405 Application of Human Factors in Civil Engineering Group Assignment 2025/26 | UNSW Sydney

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%)

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