ABSTRACT
In the design of a stand-alone route guidance system for taxiing in airports, two successive user trials were carried out with commercial airline pilots. Despite a thorough analysis of tasks, users and context of use of the new product, the first user trial provided new in-depth insight in its operational use. The trial was interrupted half-way through, in order to perform a design iteration. This decision led to a shift in the emphasis of the design effort and to a more efficient product. This was proven by the second trial. This project illustrates the importance of user trials in both the identification of difficulties in operating the product itself, and usage in its intended environment. By continuously taking in behavioural and expressed user reactions, a user trial can and perhaps should be cut short once enough interaction information has been collected.
