Breakdowns in human-automation coordination in data-rich, event-driven domains such as aviation can be explained in part by a mismatch between the high degree of autonomy yet low observability of modern technology. To some extent, the latter is the result of an increasing reliance in feedback design on foveal vision - an approach that fails to support pilots in tracking system-induced changes and events in parallel with performing concurrent flight-related tasks. One possible solution to the problem is the distribution of tasks and information across sensory modalities and processing channels. A simulator study is presented that compared the effectiveness of current foveal feedback and two implementations of peripheral visual feedback for keeping pilots informed about un commanded changes in the status of an automated cockpit system. Both peripheral visual displays resulted in higher detection rates and faster response times, without interfering with the performance of concurrent visual tasks any more than does currently available automation feedback. Potential applications include improved display designs that support effective attention allocation in a variety of complex dynamic environments, such as aviation, process control, and medicine.
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Mark I. Nikolic received an M.S. in engineering psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1998. He is currently working towards his Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
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Nadine B. Sarter is an assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering, psychology, and ergonomics at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. She received her Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from Ohio State University in 1994.
