Superimposed Symbology: Attentional Problems and Design Solutions

This paper reviews recent human factors research studies conducted in the Aerospace Human Factors Research Division at NASA Ames Research Center on superimposed symbology and head-up displays (HUDs). We first identify various performance problems that have been associated with HUD use. Results of experiments that suggest an attentional account of these problems are described. A design solution involving the concept of “scene-linked” HUDs is developed, and an experiment testing the design solution is discussed.