Color Coding for Information Location

Visual search performance was investigated as a function of color-coded and uncoded information location, number of categories coded, number of objects per category, and background clutter. Thirty-three subjects searched 12 areas of modified sectional aeronautical charts for a total of 48 checkpoints. Identification of checkpoints was established with labels plus geographical context information. Color served as a partially redundant code for information location. In general, the findings indicate that color coding for information location is most effective when: (1) many categories of information can or must be coded, (2) colors highly discriminable in peripheral vision are used, and (3) the number of objects per category is kept reasonably small.