A preliminary study on usability evaluation of the navigational equipment in ship handling simulator

Abstract

Objective: This study is to analyze the use of the navigational equipment usage frequency and pattern using ship simulator under certain circumstances. Background: Usability Evaluation of navigational equipment is very broad. Navigational equipment in the form of a single device is not being used in the actual sailing conditions. The entire mission system usability evaluation should be considered as an important factor rather than individual. It is possible to analyze the characteristics of sailors attention and cognitive process using eye tracking system. Method: Ten participants took part in this study, and simulation test was performed. Target area is Pusan north port. Subjects were requested to evaluate the navigational equipment in the simulator. Results: According to the usage rate analysis, the result shows similar pattern between expert group and novice group. However, the expert group used the radar equipment frequently. Conclusion: It is possible to evaluate the navigational equipment using eye tracking. Future study will be performed using improved scenarios and the navigational equipment on the simulator usability evaluation. Application: This study will contribute to the education and training of ship handling simulator system.

Keywords: usability evaluation, eye tracking system, usage frequency, usage pattern, navigational equipment