The dual effects of information presentation speed on operator performance in dynamic tasks: a study in supervisory control and data acquisition interfaces

Dynamic elements are increasingly used in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) interfaces to deliver real-time information and improve situational awareness. This study examined how information presentation speed affects operator performance, subjective perception, situational awareness, and eye-tracking metrics. Twenty operators performed simulated monitoring tasks under different speed conditions. Results showed that speeds above 8 degrees/s significantly increased task errors, while speeds at 16 degrees/s further impaired subjective experience and situational awareness. Eye-tracking data revealed that higher speeds induced visual fatigue, reflected by reduced blink rate. However, average pupil diameter proved unreliable as a fatigue indicator in dynamic environments, since stimulus tracking may enlarge pupil size and offset the constriction usually linked to fatigue. Overall, increasing information presentation speed can enhance cognitive performance, but excessively high speeds may impair both performance and perception, underscoring the importance of selecting an appropriate speed range for dynamic interfaces.