Operator attention has been a significant focus of human factors research in recent years. This research has clarified how electronic devices and other stimuli can become distractions for vehicle operators. The research has defined a condition known as “distracted driving,” characterized by interruption of the sequence of cognitive processes essential for safe operation of a vehicle. Although “attention” has been the most often mentioned of these cognitive processes, they also include perception, memory, cognition, and planful behavior. These processes are the “cognitive demands” of safe vehicle operation. There is another issue, similar to distracted driving, that may hamper safe operation of a vehicle. That issue is the “cognitive load” of human-machine interface devices, including instrument clusters. The present paper explores the effects of cognitive load on operator response speed. It describes a novel method for displaying systems datums designed to manage cognitive load. The paper documents a pilot study where participants performed modified driving simulations, responding to a “traditional” instrument cluster and an instrument cluster based on the novel method. Average response times proved significant (1.201 seconds faster) for the novel instrument cluster (p = 4.722E-06). Two-way ANOVA identified a significant “instrument cluster” effect in participants’ responses. The results support a conclusion that the novel method manages cognitive load. The functional significance of the novel method is discussed, including an inference that it allows operators to return their eyes to the direction of travel 105 feet faster at a speed of 60 miles per hour.
