Design Considerations for IAP Charts: Approach Course Track and Communication Frequencies
Abstract
This report describes two experiments evaluating format changes on instrument approach plates (IAPs). The study used a simple chart reading task to assess information transfer in IAPs. The first experiment addressed different methods of displaying approach course information. Three methods were evaluated: font size, bold type, and reverse video. Bold type had a negligible effect on chart reading performance. Both boxing and reverse video improved the speed with which items could be found and or identified on the chart. The use of font size as a method for presenting information was clear; a larger font size, 12 point, was more effective for presenting the inbound heading, than a smaller, 9 point size. The second experiment examined the effectiveness of four different layouts for displaying radio frequencies. Three of the four layouts were similar to those found in existing charts published by NOAA, Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc. and the Canadian Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. The fourth layout was a two column layout, not currently found on existing charts. The two layouts analogous to the formats used by NOAA and Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc. resulted in similar performance. Performance in the two column layout and boxed layout was superior to performance in the NOAA and Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc. formats.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA241482
Entities
People
- Jordan Multer
- M. S. Huntley Jr.
- Margaret Warner
- Robert Disario
Organizations
- John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center