User-Centered Design of a Weather Dynamic Infographic for U.S. Army Aviation
Abstract:
Access to relevant weather information is essential for pilots to make informed decisions while enroute. Currently, pilots are informed aurally via reporting stations, which may make information retention more difficult. A weather dynamic infographic was designed to increase Army pilots' situational awareness and decision quality, providing Army pilots with a convenient and concise method of viewing relevant weather information. This study utilized a user-centered design approach, with initial design concepts created from various influences including commercial and aviation weather applications, which were then demonstrated to Army pilots and subject matter experts for input. Participant ratings of usability, situation awareness, and information importance were collected along with comments for improvement. Overall, the usability and information importance ratings were relatively high. The information in the advisory/alerts component was rated higher than that of the current conditions and forecast components. These results suggest that the advisory/alerts component aided the most in a pilots decision-making process.