Effects Of Brightness And Color Of Illumination On Performance Of A Complex Perceptual Motor Task

Effects of Brightness and Color of Illumination on Performance of a Complex Perceptual-motor Task

The Effects of Brightness and Color of Illumination on Performance of a Complex Perceptual-motor Task

This report describes experiments which measured performance in flying a Link Treatment Trainer as a function of the brightness and color of the illumination provided. Subjects (9 in Experiment I, 12 in Experiment II, and 4 in Experiment III) flew modified "Charley" courses in a task that was almost entirely visual. Performance was measured in terms of deviations from the calculated perfect course in altitude, compass heading, air speed, and vertical speed. In Experiment I task brightnesses of 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 foot-lamberts were employed, using white (Mazda) light. In Experiment II three colors of illumination were used (red, orange-red, and orange-yellow) each at 0.01 and 0.1 foot-lamberts. In Experiment III subjects flew continuous four-hour sessions with data recorded during the first and fourth hours of each session. White and orange-red illumination was used, each at 0.01 and 0.1 foot-lamberts.

Reports of Research in the Field of Engineering Psychology