Previous studies have found that using multiple monitors increases productivity, but there are also documented drawbacks to increased monitor count and/or size. The purpose of this study was to determine whether increases in productivity hold true with newer technology, like wide flat-screens, in the multitasking context. Sixty participants were asked to complete several tasks commonly completed in an office environment. These tasks were performed on four different monitor configurations: a single and dual 17" monitor(s) and single and dual 22" monitor(s). Participants located information from several documents and compiled this information into a new document. Dependent variables measured included efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. Results indicated a performance benefit for dual monitor usage, regardless of monitor size. Participants most preferred using dual 22" monitors and least preferred a single 17" monitor.

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Previous research (Andersen & Kim, 2001) has shown that a linear trajectory collision event is specified by objects that expand and maintain a constant bearing (the object projected location in the visual field). In this research, we investigated the temporal characteristics in detecting such imminent collision events. Two experiments were conducted in which participants were presented with displays simulating a single approaching object in the scene while observers were either stationary or moving at one of the 3 speeds (24, 36, or 48 km/h). An object traveled for 9 seconds before colliding with or passing by the observer and the relative speed between object and observer remained constant. Participants were asked to report whether the object was on a collision path or not. In the first experiment, 3 seconds or 4 seconds of displays were presented that ended at the same 2-second time to contact (TTC) position. In the second experiment, 3 seconds of displays were presented that ended at different TTC positions. Results show that observers were more accurate in collision detection in stationary condition than in motion. More importantly, results suggest that observers used information on bearing change rate to distinguish noncollision objects from collision objects.