Head-up displays and visual attention: Integrating data and theory

Abstract

Head-up displays (HUDs) are regularly used in military aviation, increasingly so in commercial aviation, and are being considered for use in general aviation. In the last decade, a great deal of applied research explored the phenomenon of 'attentional capture' or the tendency for the pilot to pay attention to the display at the expense of outside events. Awareness of these events, such as the presence of other aircraft during flight or runway obstacles during landing, are critical to safe operation of the aircraft. To better understand the effects of HUDs on visual attention, the authors reviewed and critically analyzed the applied literature in the context of current theories of visual attention. By integrating data from applied studies with theories derived from basic lab research, it should be possible to improve both the design of HUDS and methods for training in their use to minimize their adverse effects on visual attention.