Experimental investigation for presentation of AIS symbols on ECDIS in a motion-based ship bridge simulator

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental investigation carried out in a research project for the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing to evaluate the presentation of AIS target information on an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). The introduction of AIS will improve the safety of navigation at sea, depending on an optimal ergonomic integration of AIS information into the navigational displays. In particular, there is a compelling need for a suitable graphical presentation of AIS information in order to improve target identification, to reduce the mariner’s workload by presenting information in a readily assimilated format, to enhance “Situation Awareness”, and thereby to reduce the risk of collision and to improve the safety of navigation, particularly in congested waters. A series of experimental investigations were conducted in a motion-based simulator at the Center for Marine Simulation (CMS) of the Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Canada. The influence of the ECDIS display category, the effect of motion, and the use of color on the detection of AIS targets were the main issues of the investigation. Results show that more targets are found without motion at twilight and night than with motion, but no difference was found in the daylight condition. It is hypothesized that motion of ship bridge simulator, generally, degrades perception when perceptual conditions deteriorate. A main finding indicates that green is the least suitable color of the tested colors for the presentation of AIS targets for all ambient light conditions using the IHO S-52 color tables, while the color blue is the best under night condition. Most findings of the detection experiment were confirmed by questionnaire outcomes.