Citation

Chi CF, Lin FT. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1997; 19(3): 249-257.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Many methods have been used to describe human visual search patterns using eye movement data. However, none of them have considered fixation time and frequency distribution simultaneously, thus generating potential distortions in their resulting patterns. Therefore, a new method truly reflecting the search area covered by a subject is proposed. This methodology, named Weighted Search Area(WSA), describes visual fixations by vectors on a presumed X-Y coordinate system, then assigns a weight to each vector by its respective fixation time. Through various procedures of summing vectors and rotating axes, the Weighted Search Area and overall fixation vector can be calculated. WSA proved to be effective for comparing eye movement data collected under different driving environments. This methodology can be used as a quantitative measure for visual load where a large amount of visual attention is necessary. Relevance to industryA new method for quantifying overall visual load is presented and applied to the visual search patterns of a simulated driving task. The results are useful for the man-machine system interface design of visual display terminals tasks, control and display designs, driver behavior, instrument panel layouts, etc.