Preliminary Results from the Human Factors Evaluation of the Radar Analysis and Display System During the Summer 1994 Operational Test in Phoenix

摘要

Since the gathering of RADS usability data is still on going, it is difficult to make specific conclusions and recommendations for changes to the WSR-88D. However, it is probably safe to state that RADS was easy to learn based on the high degree of success indicated by the RADS final proficiency. It also appeared from an initial screening of the videotapes that the participants utilized the storm attribute tables and trend data graphs more often than the raw reflectivity and velocity displays when fo nulating warning decisions. This impression needs to be verified by a complete examination of the video, but if it proves to be true, then maybe the WSR-88D should incorporate Dynamic Storm Attribute tables and graphical trend displays. These Dynamic product displays could be placed on a PUP graphics screen by the PUP operator and would update automatically as new data are received from the RDA. This would be a further step toward making the PUP a true workstation. The lessons learned from this usability study will enable the OSF Human Factors Group to conduct better usability studies in the future. The usability testing skills gained will be used during the upcoming redesign of the WSR-88D UCP Human-Computer Interface on a UNIX-based system. The redesign and testing of the RADS interface could become the model for the UCP interface redesign project.