User trials on the colours and symbols for electronic charts

The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) contributes to safe navigation by enabling the mariner to follow a planned route precisely, using positioning and radar information integrated on an electronic chart. The need to ensure that ECDIS is safe to use has prompted the development of performance standards for the presentation of information on electronic charts. As a step in working towards these presentation standards, user trials were conducted on shore and at sea using an ECDIS display to investigate presentation issues, which included colour combinations and symbols for ships and tracks, chart features, radar overlays, scale indicators and also display brightness for day and night viewing. Results of questionnaires indicated mariners' preferences and rated visibility of various colours and symbols. As a result of the shore trials, improvements were made to some of the symbols, which were then reevaluated during sea trials. Changes to the colours and symbols resulting from these trials will be included in the International Hydrographic Organization's Provisional Colour and Symbol Standards for ECDIS.