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Abstract

In planning visual search, operations, the allocation of Search and Rescue (SAR) resources may be dependent on the statistical probability that a missing aircraft or crash site can be detected if it is within given geographical areas. The present study was undertaken in order to relate probability of detection (POD) to the relevant environmental or contextual variables. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) and cluster analysis were used to determine the basic stimulus dimensions and characteristics that define different categories of search area. A simulated visual search task generated POD data for representative aerial views that contained synthetic crash sites. POD was a function of target contrast and terrain exposure. Limited field trials have indicated that data from the static visual displays were capable of providing reasonable estimates of detection in dynamic visual search.

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Estimating Detection Probabilities Fdr Search and Rescue

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