Do Velocity Vectors Support Multiple Object Tracking?

We examined the effect of velocity vectors on human ability to extrapolate movement of multiple moving objects. This was achieved using an identity tracking task, in which objects (line-drawings of familiar objects) first move for 5 s, after which they temporarily disappear from view. In order to examine different aspects of vector information, we compared 4 velocity vector conditions: (1) no vectors were displayed; (2) only a history trail was displayed; (3) a condition where the end of the velocity vector pointed to exactly where the objects would reappear after the masking; (4) a constant heading length was displayed. Based on recent studies on Keane and Pylyshyn (2006) and Oinonen et al. (2009), we hypothesized that the condition, where exact location information is presented, would improve performance compared to baseline. The results supported this hypothesis by indicating that history trail or directional vector do not improve performance but only complete visual information about the future location will help to anticipate movement in multiple object tracking.

[1]  Richard S. Jensen.  Prediction and Quickening in Perspective Flight Displays for Curved Landing Approaches , 1979 .

[2]  J. R. Kelly.  Effect of lead-aircraft ground-speed on self-spacing performance using a cockpit display of traffic information , 1983 .

[3]  James R. Kelly.  Effect of Lead-Aircraft Ground-Speed Quantization on Self-Spacing Performance Using a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information , .

[4]  C R Kelley,et al.  Manual and Automatic Control , 1968 .

[5]  Barry H. Kantowitz,et al.  Human Factors: Understanding People-System Relationships , 1983 .

[6]  Stanley N. Roscoe,et al.  Flight Display Dynamics Revisited , 1981 .

[7]  Mark S. Sanders,et al.  Human Factors in Engineering and Design , 1957 .

[8]  A. J. Grunwald.  Predictor symbology in computer-generated perspective displays , 1981 .

[9]  R. O. Besco.  Manual attitude control systems, volume II - Display format considerations , 1964 .

[10]  S R Ellis,et al.  Statistical Dependency in Visual Scanning , 1986, Human factors.

[11]  D. H. Williams.  Time-based self-spacing techniques using cockpit display of traffic information during approach to landing in a terminal area vectoring environment , 1983 .

[12]  R. C. McLane,et al.  Symbolic and Pictorial Displays for Submarine Control , 1967 .

[13]  Everett Palmer.  Conflict Resolution Maneuvers during near Miss Encounters with Cockpit Traffic Displays , 1983 .

[14]  S. Jago,et al.  Perception of Horizontal Aircraft Separation on a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information , 1980 .

[15]  J. Hyönä,et al.  Is multiple object tracking carried out automatically by an early vision mechanism independent of higher‐order cognition? An individual difference approach , 2004 .

[16]  Z. Pylyshyn,et al.  Is motion extrapolation employed in multiple object tracking? Tracking as a low-level, non-predictive function , 2006, Cognitive Psychology.

[17]  J. G. Snodgrass,et al.  A standardized set of 260 pictures: norms for name agreement, image agreement, familiarity, and visual complexity. , 1980, Journal of experimental psychology. Human learning and memory.

[18]  David Holt Merwin.  Evaluation of Perspective and Coplanar Cockpit Displays of Traffic Information to Support Hazard Awareness in Free Flight , 1996 .

[19]  Thomas B. Sheridan,et al.  Three Models of Preview Control , 1966 .

[20]  Jukka Hyönä,et al.  Dynamic binding of identity and location information: A serial model of multiple identity tracking , 2008, Cognitive Psychology.

[21]  A. J. Grunwald.  Predictor symbology in computer-generated pictorial displays , 1981 .

[22]  David H. Williams,et al.  Factors Affecting in-Trail Following Using CDTI (Cockpit Display of Traffic Information), , 1983 .

[23]  Michael S. Nolan,et al.  Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control , 1990 .

[24]  Sandra Hart,et al.  Evaluation of the Potential Format and Content of a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information , 1980 .

[25]  J. R. Kelly,et al.  In-trail dynamics of multiple CDTI-equipped aircraft queues , 1984 .

[26]  C.D. Wickens,et al.  Ergonomic design for perspective flight-path displays , 1989, IEEE Control Systems Magazine.