Effect of Terrain Shape and Object Grouping on Perception of Change in Altitude in a Flight Simulator

Abstract

Abstract : Previous experiments have revealed that three major types of scene elements are perceived in flight simulator vistial scenes: texture on the terrain, discrete objects, and terrain shape. Both texture and vertical objects spaced evenly on the terrain have been shown to affect performance of simulated low-altitude flight tasks. Although terrain shape and object grouping affect scene perception, their importance for performanced-based tasks has not been evaluated. The present experiment sought to determine the degree to which terrain shape and object grouping influence detection of altitude change in a flight simulator. Both terrain shape and object grouping were found to have significant positive effects on detection of altitude change. The effects were traced to particular combinations of factors suggesting that relevent information is highly specific in nature. A demonstrated advantage for terrain exhibiting a high density of steeply sloped hills implies that terrain in flight simulators should be rendered with a high degree of accuracy. (AN)