Veridical displays represent realistic scenes, being based on two-dimensional or three-dimensional physical space dimensionalized by length, height and width. State space displays represent nonveridical n-dimensional information based on informative coordinate axes plus variable features such as color and shading. This study explores operators' ability to use a multidimensional, nonveridical control display. Twelve licensed general aviation pilots flew flight scenarios, trying to deviate as little as possible from a preassigned course while still maintaining standard en route separation from traffic. Flight performance using only a veridical cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) was compared with performance using the CDTI augmented by a 4-D nonveridical state space collision avoidance system (CDTI+4CAS). Using moderate traffic density and complex traffic geometry, the CDTI+4CAS condition showed performance superiority over the baseline CDTI-only condition for all dependent measures of maneuver efficiency, all measures of maneuver safety, and six of nine measures of user workload. These findings indicate that nonveridical information display may enhance operator performance on a control task involving simultaneous processing of multidimensional information. Directions for future research are discussed.
Abstract