VOD-CA – Testing a Velocity-Obstacle based Display for Collision Avoidance in Aviation

Abstract

Aircraft separation and systems for its support are one of the most important fields in aviation research. ACAS/TCAS gives an evidence of other aircraft around, but it does not show how other airplanes will fly regarding the ownship. A Velocity-Obstacle based Display for Collision Avoidance (VOD-CA) shall assist pilots to avoid conflicts by recognizing them early. Because there is velocity space represented but without spatial reference, potential problems in handling could occur. For that reason, VOD-CA and its comprehension were tested. We linked the understanding of VOD-CA to common measures of intelligence. It is assumed that spatial thinking might play a role, because even though velocity space is different to the familiar areal space, it might still require similar abilities to comprehend. Furthermore, we hypothesized that numerical memory is linked to the understanding, because there are several numbers shown on the display, which are important to understand the information given. Besides, we thought that there will be an interaction with visual-spatial intelligence because of the type of representation. While some expected interactions were observed there was no evidence that spatial thinking is neither helpful nor obstructive in understanding velocity space. Most participants could handle VOD-CA well and resolved potential conflicts before they occurred.