Effects of a New Navigation Support Display on Human Performance

Abstract

Collision avoidance is a crucial operative task in marine navigation. The process of information gathering, analyzing, decision-making and execution of evasive maneuver(s) in complex situations is tiresome and can be potentially error-prone. Pedersen et al have proposed a new kind of collision avoidance support interface display in which cone-shaped collision region CDS (collision danger sector) to target ships are visualized to help navigators to perceive collision-related information directly and take evasive actions well in advance of a developing situation. This display, referred to as CDS display, has been further developed and implemented on a ship-handling simulator in National Maritime Research Institute. Experimental studies were carried out to investigate the potential of this display. The experimental results showed that CDS display has the potential to improve navigators' collision avoidance performance and track-keeping performance. In addition, this display has the potential to enhance navigators' situation awareness and lessen their mental workload. Further study with many more participants is needed to provide the necessary statistical power to prove these benefits of this display.