Effectiveness Evaluation of Search and Target Acquisition Training Prototype Using Performance Metrics With Eye-Tracking Data

Despite the increased use of sensor technologies, including unmanned vehicles, the vast majority of improvised explosive device (IED) detections are made by human vision. Thus, TRAC-Monterey developed a simulation-based training prototype called the perceptual learning trainer (PLT). Fourteen novice and 5 expert IED detectors participated in human-in-the-loop experiments in which all participants were trained using the PLT tool while their eye-movement and IED detection performance were tracked in real-time. A series of 100 IED images with various degrees of difficulty was used for the training session. Pre- and posttraining assessments were conducted. Both speed and accuracy improved after just 1 session of the PLT training: RT decreased by 3.7 s for novices (p < .001) and 3.4 s for experts (p = .031), and detection probability increased by 5.9% for novices (p = .001). The PLT tool improved IED detection performance more in novice IED detectors than in experts. Novices and experts showed different visual scan patterns.