Cognitive Task Performance Time During Tracking

Abstract

This study was a test on the feasibility of creating a synthetic time system for cognitive tasks performing during flying. Four types of cognitive tasks were employed (coding, verifying, calculating, and identifying; each at two levels of complexity). Compensatory tracking was performed at two levels of difficulty where RMS statistics were taken within and between the discrete cognitive tasks. The task types and complexity levels were found to significantly affect the performance time (accounting for about 50% of the time variability) and the tracking accuracy. However tracking accuracy was also affected by other factors. Results of this research support the feasibility of a synthetic time system for the class of tasks.

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