Display Format-Induced Biases in Air Traffic Avoidance Behavior

A part-task instrument flight simulation study, conducted at the University of Illinois, compared certified flight instructors' traffic avoidance performance using coplanar (2D) and perspective (3D) cockpit displays of traffic information (CDTI). Traffic avoidance was generally better when using the coplanar display format, although display type was also found to interact with the approach geometry of the traffic to influence performance. Observed performance differences are discussed in terms of the maneuvering strategies adopted by the pilots in the context of how traffic information was conveyed by the coplanar and perspective displays.