Abstract
The present study investigated the effectiveness of different icon modalities in supporting situation awareness (SA) when using a densely populated battlefield COP. The MilSTD 2525B symbology was compared to modified versions of this symbology that were either miniature or proportional, and the U.S. Army Research Lab's blobology concepts. ROTC cadets viewed a simulated military advance that displayed each of the four representation modalities with presentation order counterbalanced. At the end of each segment, cadets responded to a rapid battery of questions about their SA using the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT). Participants also evaluated the different icon modalities in terms of both user preferences and the icons' perceived utility in supporting SA. Although participants perceived the current MilSTD 2525B representations as easiest for assisting them in monitoring friendly and enemy forces, the objective SAGAT measure showed that SA performance was highest using the proportional icon modality. Results are discussed in the context of designing unit representations to effectively support SA.
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