The Efficacy of Color-Coded Symbols to Enhance Air-Traffic Control Displays
Abstract
This research tested the effect of color-coded air-traffic control displays on working memory and accuracy performance. Color, as a primary code and as a redundant code, was compared with shape coding under memory and no- memory conditions at varying density levels (5,8,11, and 14 symbols per display) . In the shape-coded condition, symbol shapes denoted the altitude, or altitude and speed. All symbols had the same shape when color was used as a primary code. Only color denoted the altitude, or altitude and speed when color was tested redundantly. In the memory condition, subjects were required to remember the altitude and speed on each displayed symbol, and then sequence the planes in approach order to the landing area. Significant differences in recall accuracy occurred in the 8 and 11 symbol density displays. Compared to shape coding, color, either as a primary code or as a redundant code, significantly improved recall accuracy when altitude alone was encoded on each symbol. When both altitude and speed were encoded on each symbol, color as a redundant code significantly improved recall accuracy for the 8 and 11 symbol density levels. Keywords; Data displays; Screens displays; color coding, shape coding, military- information displays, cognitive memory, altitude; speed; air traffic control system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA201594
Entities
People
- E. A. Winer
- J. L. Leeds
- S. V. Bemis