United States Department of Transportation
i
The usefulness of the proximate status indication as represented by symbol fill on cockpit displays of traffic information
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2013-06-30
[PDF-1.92 MB]
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Abstract:Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) displays depict traffic advisories, resolution advisories, and information on other aircraft. Symbols for other aircraft include the proximate status indication where the symbols of “proximate” (close) aircraft are filled and the symbols of “non-proximate” (more distant) aircraft are not filled. This web-based study examined the value of the proximate status indication as represented by symbol fill to assess implications for Cockpit Displays of Traffic Information (CDTIs), and found no advantage for it, only a disadvantage.
Pilots viewed videos of traffic displays. Analysis of the data failed to show a benefit of the proximate status indication for estimating threat and potential for visual acquisition of traffic. Analysis did find a decrement in performance for identifying the greatest traffic threat, when the proximate status indication was depicted. In contrast to their performance, most pilots say the proximate status indication is useful. However, results indicate that pilots overemphasize proximity and underemphasize closing speeds when assessing threat levels. This bias may account for the pilot preference for displaying proximate status. Results of this study are intended to be of use to the Federal Aviation Administration in developing guidance material for CDTIs.
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