ABSTRACT
The present study involved a meta-analysis of multiple data sets generated by a three-year program of NASA-sponsored research aimed at developing measures and models of aviation display clutter (MMADC). During the first year (Y1), four expert test pilots evaluated static images of head-up cockpit displays (HUD), as a basis for prototyping a comprehensive subjective measure of clutter. They provided overall clutter ratings (CRs) as well as ratings of specific displays characteristics/qualities (e.g., density, redundancy, salience, etc.). A collection of six different rating scales resulted from this study targeting those qualities pilots considered to be most influential in perceived clutter (Kaber et al., 2007). During the second year (Y2), the multi-dimensional subjective measurement technique was applied in a high-fidelity Boeing (B)-757 flight simulator with a sample of 24 current commercial airline pilots with varied levels of experience in order to assess the sensitivity, diagnosticity and reliability of the measure in evaluating various display conditions. Clutter scores (CSs) were determined for each test HUD and pilot flight control performance was recorded. The relationship of perceived clutter to performance was examined (Kaber et al., 2008). The Year 3 (Y3) study was conducted using a high-fidelity vertical take-off & landing (VTOL) aircraft simulator with head-down displays (HDDs). Sixteen test subjects with varying levels of flight experience participated. The intent of this study was to assess the validity of the previously developed clutter measure for application to similar cockpit display concepts but under different flight scenarios and with a different vehicle type (Kaber et al., 2009). Table 1 summarizes the research methods used across the studies.
