A harmonized display of e-navigation information: Workload and navigational control; Contextual control levels

Abstract

As a results of the work with the e-navigation initiative, IMO is now working on “a harmonized display of navigation information received via communications equipment”. The availability of a multitude of new important, but possibly complex, information on the ship bridge will be a challenge for human factors and design as the risk for information overload is obvious. This paper proposes a new framework for structuring the design of the information environment on the ship bridge. The paper starts with a brief reference to some maritime accidents where a mismatch between the availability of information and human performance can be detected. Using Hollnagel’s theoretical constructs of information processing and cognitive engineering we suggest that Hollnagel’s Contextual Control Model theory can be used to structure equipment and bridge layout based on operator workload. The intention is to advance HMI design and integration of bridge equipment based on different workload levels.