| This study evaluated relative versus absolute text-based altitude representation in a cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI). The concept of Future Air Navigation System is expected to make CDTIs important components for the flight deck. Twelve pilots ran in 108 part task simulator trials where the task was to identify conflict aircraft on the CDTI. The study evaluated (1) three altitude modes (relative, absolute, pilot selectable) (2) three vertical profiles of the participants aircraft (ownship level, climbing and descending), (3) two levels of time to closest approach (low and high), and (4) two levels of traffic density (low and high). Encounter geometries, airspeed and vertical speed were randomized. Display mode had no main effect. In some conditions, the presence of complex interacting variables indicate relative and selectable display modes have accuracy advantages over absolute mode but do not indicate which display mode to use for all flight conditions. |
