OBJECTIVE: We aimed to synthesize the literature on display clutter by reviewing definitions and measurement techniques and to develop a comprehensive, ergonomics-oriented perspective on clutter. We provide guidance for the selection of measurement approaches that can capture the various aspects and effects of clutter on visual search in particular. BACKGROUND: There is agreement that clutter may represent a significant problem to operators. The challenge is to determine the ideal middle ground between excessive data and insufficient information. However, definitions of clutter vary widely, which explains the range of measurement approaches, including image-processing algorithms, performance evaluation, subjective evaluation, and eye tracking. It is important to understand the affordances of each technique and provide guidance for their use. METHOD: We provide a systematic review of clutter definitions and develop a performance-oriented perspective for ergonomics research. Next, we present a critical overview of clutter measurement approaches. The benefits and limitations of each technique are detailed, and recommendations for best practice are provided. RESULTS: From an ergonomics perspective, clutter matters to the extent that it affects performance, particularly, visual search. A combination of measurement techniques can be employed in order to assess the performance costs stemming from the multiple aspects of clutter. CONCLUSION: Display clutter is a multifaceted construct that is a problem when it results in performance and attentional costs. The assessment of these costs is critical and requires the use of appropriate and complementary techniques. APPLICATION: It is important that the performance costs of clutter are detected reliably to be able to better support attention management. Language: en

Display clutter: a review of definitions and measurement techniques

INTRODUCTION: Synthetic and enhanced vision systems (SVS and EVS) are being introduced into the cockpit to promote safety under workload conditions. Integration of existing iconic imagery with SVS and EVS displays may lead to perceptions of clutter. This research evaluated head-up display (HUD) features, including SVS, EVS, traffic collision avoidance system symbology, flight pathway (TUNNEL) guidance, and different primary flight display symbol sets, on pilot perceptions of clutter. A perceptual decomposition of the construct of clutter was also conducted. METHOD: During a simulated landing, 4 expert pilots viewed images of 16 HUD configurations. Pilots rated clutter for each image and the utility of pairs of terms for describing clutter. RESULTS: Results revealed all HUD features and two-way interactions to be significant in perceived clutter. Ratings increased with additional features. The presence of EVS, TUNNEL, and an expanded symbol set contributed the most. Regression models were developed to predict the likelihood of clutter ratings based on pilot perceptions of display characteristics. Pairs of terms found to have the greatest use for describing clutter included "redundant/orthogonal," "monochromatic/colorful," "salient/not salient," "safe/unsafe," and "dense/sparse" (in that order). A factor analysis revealed underlying display qualities explaining approximately 78% of variability in perceived clutter, including global density, feature similarity, feature clarity, and the dynamic nature of displays. These qualities corresponded with the display descriptor terms plus the terms "static/dynamic." DISCUSSION: The study provided information on the relationship of display features and pilot perceptions of clutter. We identified terminology pilots use to describe clutter and latent display variables that drive perceived clutter. Language: en

Perceived clutter in advanced cockpit displays: Measurement and modeling with experienced pilots

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to: develop a multidimensional measure of display clutter for advanced head-up displays (HUDs) incorporating enhanced and synthetic vision; assess the influence of HUD configuration on perceptions of display clutter, workload, and flight performance; model clutter scores in terms of visual display properties; and model flight performance in terms of subjective and objective clutter indices. METHODS: In a flight simulator, 18 pilots with different levels of flight experience flew approaches divided into three segments. Three HUD configuration sets were presented under two levels of flight workload. Pilot ratings of overall display clutter, its underlying dimensions, and mental workload were recorded along with flight performance measures. Display image analysis software was used to measure visual properties of the HUDs. RESULTS: The multidimensional measure of clutter showed internal consistency with overall perceived clutter. Calculated clutter scores were sensitive to HUD configurations and in agreement with a priori display classifications. There was a trend for the extremes of display clutter to cause higher workload and less stable performance due to cognitive complexity and a lack of information for high and low clutter displays, respectively. Multiple linear regression models of perceived clutter were developed based on HUD visual properties with predictive utility. Models of flight performance based on the clutter score and workload ratings were also developed, but with less predictive power. DISCUSSION: Measures and models of display clutter are expected to be applicable to the evaluation of a range of display concepts.

Multidimensional measure of display clutter and pilot performance for advanced head-up display.

Display clutter can cause breakdowns in visual search performance, which can compromise system safety and efficiency. The differential contributions of the two main aspects of clutter—data density and display organization—to these breakdowns are not well understood. Moreover, it is not clear how these factors interact with stress, another factor that can degrade performance in data-rich domains. The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of data density, display organization, and stress on visual search performance and associated eye movements (obtained via eye tracking). To this end, participants performed visual search tasks in a simulated graphics program. Data density (number of icons), organization (grouping of icons), and stress (presence of a time limit) were manipulated. Response time (RT), error rate, eye tracking data, and subjective ratings of clutter and stress were collected. Results confirmed that high data density and poor organization increase RT and error rate. Furthermore, poor organization worsened the effects of high data density on RT. Stress did not negatively affect performance but significantly decreased RT. Eye tracking metrics provided insight into the effects of the two clutter aspects and stress. In particular, these metrics helped explain how changes in attention allocation resulted in the observed performance effects of long RT and high error rate. The results of this research can be used to inform the design of data-rich displays and trigger display adaptations in real time.

The Effects of Data Density, Display Organization, and Stress on Search Performance: An Eye Tracking Study of Clutter

Many complex domains, including aviation, experience a continued increase in the amount of information that is needed and available to operators. One example of this trend is modern primary flight ...

Effects of Modern Primary Flight Display Clutter Evidence from Performance and Eye Tracking Data

In theory, properties of clutter can be defined globally or locally. However, in the literature, the distinction between local and global clutter is arbitrary, where the standard approach of setting the local domain to twice the expected target size, in applying local clutter metrics, is adopted without any justification. This paper addresses this problem and considers the implications for the application of clutter metrics. It was found that the size of the local clutter region around a target has a strong effect on the probability of detection of that target and that this is affected by regions much larger than twice the target size. It was also discovered that this effect was much stronger for targets subtending less than 0.8 degrees of visual angle than for larger targets. In the case of the former, the fall-off in human visual performance with clutter region size was approximately quadratic, compared to a slight linear fall-off for larger targets. A simple model is presented explaining these phenomena, indicating that the auto-covariance function characterising the clutter is the main determinant of the size of the region of local clutter.

Effects of 'local' clutter on human target detection

On the extraction of 3D models from airborne video sensors for geolocation

. This paper describes a study that measured the performanceof human image analysts in the surveillance context, using images fromsynthetic-aperture radar, in terms of the analyst’s receiver operatingcharacteristic ROC and an ancillary analysis of variance ANOVA . Theexperiment was designed to correspond as closely as possible to anoperational one for analysts using similar imagery. In particular, the ef-fects of target contrast and background clutter on human analysts’ targetdetection performance were quantiﬁed. Our ROC and ANOVA studiesshow that the clutter and contrast metrics used account for most of thevariation in human performance as measured by probability of detection. DOI: 10.1117/1.2798530 Subject terms: human target detection; synthetic-aperture radar; receiver operat-ing characteristic; visual clutter . Paper 060648R-APPEALRR received Sep. 13, 2006; revised manuscriptreceived Apr. 30, 2007; accepted for publication May 1, 2007; published onlineOct. 26, 2007. 1 Introduction

Human target detection performance using synthetic-aperture radar imagery in a quasi-operational context

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Effects of 'local' clutter on human target detection

On the extraction of 3D models from airborne video sensors for geolocation

Human target detection performance using synthetic-aperture radar imagery in a quasi-operational context