Assessment of Variable Coded Symbology Using Visual Search Performance and Eye Fixation Measures
Abstract
Combining different tactical display symbols within a single display has been shown to be an effective way of organizing a display for particular command and control tasks. Previous results have shown that some variable coded symbol (VCS) combinations result in poorer visual search performance and negative user opinion data. The present study examined four different tactical display symbol schemes using a visual search procedure and simultaneous collection of eye fixation data. These conditions included a baseline condition composed of color coded and line drawn NTDS symbols, a combination of recessed gray NTDS and color coded NTDS symbols (VCS1), a combination of color coded NTDS and block filled, color coded NATO symbols (VCS2), and a combination of all three of the aforementioned symbol types in one display (VCS3). Nine subjects completed a search and selection task containing four blocks and a total of 168 targets. The recessed gray NTDS symbols of the VCS1 scheme demonstrated the most prolonged search times, while search times were fastest for the color filled NATO symbols of the VCS3 scheme. Target distractor symbol confusions, as determined by fixation dwell times, were least evident in the VCS2 configuration. Gray and white symbols accounted for a disproportionate percentage of symbol confusions across all display conditions. The use of recessed gray and prominent color coded line drawn (NTDS) symbols as a VCS tactical display scheme is not recommended. Combining color coded NTDS symbols with prominent block filled color NATO symbols is associated with faster visual search rates and fewer target/distractor confusions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA366616
Entities
People
- Bonnie La Fleur
- Karl F. Van Orden
- Silvina Moncho
- William H Nugent
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center