Abstract
In 2019, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) prescribed guidelines to standardize the user interface (UI) of navigation equipment such as radio detection and ranging (RADAR) and the electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), which mandate the unification of various terminologies and icons to improve usability. However, comprehensive studies on the operability and standardization of global positioning system (GPS) plotters, which are auxiliary equipment installed across various domestic and commercial vessels for navigational purposes, have not been conducted. Therefore, we performed a case study to identify the user requirements for standardizing the UI of GPS plotters in South Korea. Additionally, we conducted a survey to ascertain the frequency of use of the navigational functions in a GPS plotter, in which, several deck officers and captains participated. The frequently used navigational functions that were subsequently identified confirmed the need for standardization of the UI. Furthermore, the users requested the standardization of the menus of these functions using Korean terminologies. Hence, we attempted to derive standardized items that can be applied to both the functions of the GPS plotters and the navigation information obtained, which can contribute to the improvement of the UI across the different types of plotters.
Highlights
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) introduced e-Navigation in 2006 to increase the efficiency of maritime trade and transport along with the infrastructure and digital information necessary for its implementation
A survey of 182 users, primarily mariners experienced in using global positioning system (GPS) plotters, was conducted in Korea Institute Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT) from June to August 2019, and 132 effective questionnaires were retrieved
As the international standardization guidelines for navigation equipment will be applied from 2024, the standardized terms, icons, and navigational information groups will be introduced in the electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), radio detection and ranging (RADAR), and integrated navigation system (INS) user interface (UI) to improve their usability
Summary
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) introduced e-Navigation in 2006 to increase the efficiency of maritime trade and transport along with the infrastructure and digital information necessary for its implementation. The guidelines for the standardization of the user interface (UI) design in navigation equipment (“guidelines”) were developed for the integrated navigation system (INS), electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), and radio detection and ranging (RADAR) system These guidelines were approved by the IMO in June 2019 at the 101st session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and are effective from January 2024 [1]. The guidelines aim to improve the usability of navigational equipment and systems— such as ECDIS and RADAR—by standardizing the interface, facilitating easy access to information and enhancing situational awareness They achieve this by including standard terminologies and icons in the UI to aid the development of a user-friendly design [5]. An eye-tracking device was employed to perform the usability test on the ECDIS [12,13,14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
