Cognitive demands of collision avoidance in simulated ship control

The study examines the cognitive demands of collision avoidance under a range of maritime scenarios. Operators used a PC-based radar simulator to navigate set courses over 100 6-min trials varying in collision threat and traffic density. Corrective maneuvers were made through the application of standard navigation rules and by using two decision aids (target acquisition and test maneuver). Results showed widespread effects of collision threat in terms of decision aid use, subjective workload, and secondary task performance. Most notably, demand increased markedly over the course of emergency trials, in which collision threat resulted from rule violation by target vessels. The findings are discussed in terms of the comparison between predictable demands (requiring standard course changes) and those involving uncertainty about the others' intentions (involving more intensive monitoring and forced delays in corrective action). The study has relevance for the design of collision avoidance systems, specifically for the use of ecological displays.