Presenter Email
wardk1@my.erau.edu
Location
Jim W. Henderson Administration & Welcome Center (Bldg. #602)
Start Date
8-15-2018 8:00 AM
End Date
8-15-2018 9:30 AM
Submission Type
Presentation
Other Topic Area
Display Clutter Analysis
Keywords
Clutter, PFD, glass cockpit, gestalt, pilot, perception
Abstract
Modern aircraft utilize digital display screens to provide critical flight and system status information to pilots. As computing power has increased, the number of data sources and information presented has also increased, with the goal of increasing situational awareness. However, the display can become cluttered with extraneous or irrelevant information, to the detriment of pilot cognitive workload. Pilot perceptions of clutter vary with flight experience, introducing unique considerations in the flight training environment, given the experience difference between instructors and students. Researchers have studied the problem, identifying both the number of visual objects and information density as predictors of perception of clutter. Combining these constructs with Gestalt Theory, or perceiving a whole object rather than the sum of parts, may provide insight into how clutter is perceived by pilots. This paper introduces discrete information objects, composed of related display objects and information, as a construct for analyzing clutter for future research.
Presenter Biography
Ken Ward is a PhD in Aviation student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He served 14 years as a U.S. Army aviation officer and helicopter pilot, where he gained experience in managing aviation maintenance, safety programs, military airfield operations, and foreign military sales. Most recently, he worked for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, spearheading an initiative to acquire over 200 aircraft to rebuild the Afghan Air Force. His research interests include software application in aviation, human cognition and perception, and aviation policy.
View Ken Ward’s Bio Page
Original PowerPoint, Full-res
Discrete Information Object Analysis of Primary Flight Display Clutter
Jim W. Henderson Administration & Welcome Center (Bldg. #602)
Modern aircraft utilize digital display screens to provide critical flight and system status information to pilots. As computing power has increased, the number of data sources and information presented has also increased, with the goal of increasing situational awareness. However, the display can become cluttered with extraneous or irrelevant information, to the detriment of pilot cognitive workload. Pilot perceptions of clutter vary with flight experience, introducing unique considerations in the flight training environment, given the experience difference between instructors and students. Researchers have studied the problem, identifying both the number of visual objects and information density as predictors of perception of clutter. Combining these constructs with Gestalt Theory, or perceiving a whole object rather than the sum of parts, may provide insight into how clutter is perceived by pilots. This paper introduces discrete information objects, composed of related display objects and information, as a construct for analyzing clutter for future research.
Comments
Presented during Poster Session - NTAS Presenters and ERAU-PhD Programs