THE PERFORMANCE AND WORKLOAD EFFECTS OF TASK RE-LOCATION DURING AUTOMATION

We report an experiment which investigated the performance and workloa d effects associated with the functional grouping of automated display s in a multi-task flight simulation. Eleven rated pilots performed tra cking, systems monitoring, and target acquisition sub-tasks in manual conditions and when the targeting task was automated. In the latter co ndition, the target acquisition display was relocated either proximall y, distally, or neutrally with respect to the functionally similar, sy stems monitoring display. It was (h)ypothesized that an automated task display relocated near its functional equivalent (the proximal condit ion) would result in increased performance efficiency and lower percei ved workload compared to the other relocation positions. An advantage for adaptive automation was confirmed with pilots exhibiting less trac king error, lower monitoring response times, lower target response tim es, and increased percentage of target responses during automated comp ared with manual conditions. Results did not confirm the hypothesized benefits for display location. However, when interpreted within the Pr oximity Compatibility Principle framework where both perceptual and pr ocessing proximity are recognized, results confirmed art advantage for the functional grouping layout of the display. Specifically, the prox imal grouping condition was the only condition that resulted in both p erformance and workload benefits. Some observations on the implication s for display design in systems using automation are provided.