Optical Flow and Texture Variables Useful for Detecting Changes in Simulated Self Motion

Several methods are presented for breaking linkages among global optical flow and texture variables in order to assess their usefulness in experiments requiring observers to distinguish change in speed or heading of simulated self motion from events representing constant speed or level flight. Results of a series of studies testing for sensitivity to flow acceleration or deceleration, flow-pattern expansion variables, and the distribution of optical texture density are presented. Theoretical implications for determining the metrics of visual self-motion information, and practical relevance for pilot and flight simulator evaluation and for low-level, high-speed flight are discussed.