Shape with and without redundant colour as coding mechanism for simulated radar displays in a time-extended simple vigilance task.

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Authors
Hessling, Urs
Subjects
vigilance task
redundant colour
operator performance
underload
nighttime
codes
shape
achromatic
Advisors
Hutchins, Charles W.
Date of Issue
1984-09
Date
September 1984
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
A simple monitoring task was extended to eight hours to achieve a higher realism in testing human vigilance. An extremely low stimulus frequency, the confinement of the subjects during the test run, and the scheduling of the experiment from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. were further tools to create a more operational environment. Subjects were treated in one of two conditions, simulating a shipborne tactical radar display with precoded information, to test a currently operational shape coding mechanism (control condition) for positive effects due to the addition of redundant colour codes {experimental condition). The results did net support the hypothesis of positive effects in the experimental condition. In fact, the number of missed signals was significantly higher in that condition, longer reaction times in both conditions were found to be correlated to higher signal and display densities. The following recommendations were made for further research: In the area of monochromatic displays, the effects of different, non-white colours and changes in light characteristics, e.g. luminance and saturation, should be compared against those of standard CRT colour and light parameters. For multichromatic displays, experiments involving secondary tasks or artificial stimuli should be conducted to gain further evidence about the possibility of operator's target fixation' during monitoring due to certain colours or colour combinations. The importance of further research in the area of 'underload'-situations is emphasized.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Operations Research
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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