Display Dimensionality, Conflict Geometry, and Time Pressure Effects on Conflict Detection and Resolution Performance Using Cockpit Displays of Traffic Information

Cockpit displays of traffic information are designed to support pilots’ abilities to perform conflict detection and resolution tasks. Three experiments investigated the effects of display dimensionality, conflict geometry, and time pressure of in-flight conflicts on performance. The results indicated that interactive viewpoints in 2 3–D displays eliminated ambiguity costs, resulting in performance on both tasks comparable to a 2–D coplanar display. Viewpoint interactivity in the 3–D displays was vulnerable to increased workload, although corresponding performance was no worse than the 2–D coplanar. All 3 display formats showed performance decrements for nonlevel conflict geometries and increased time pressure.