The Impact of Engineering Information Formats on Craft Worker Eye Gaze Patterns

Productivity of craft workers in construction projects can be negatively impacted by ineffective communication of the project's design and information. Traditional delivery of Mechanical, Electrical, and Piping (MEP) designs rely on two-dimensional isometric drawings. Developments in three-dimensional (3D) computer aided design (CAD) and 3D printing have provided new format options for delivering engineering information, however providing them to crafts for use at the construction workface remains relatively rare. The objective of this research is to understand how eye gaze patterns of construction craft workers are influenced by information formats when completing complex spatial tasks. A series of field trials with MEP workers was conducted to examine the influence of information format on their eye gaze patterns in completing a scale model task assembly. Participants were provided eye tracking glasses with one of three information formats: traditional, two-dimensional (2D) isometric drawings; 2D isometric drawings supplemented with a three-dimensional (3D) image of the assembly; and 2D isometric drawings supplemented with a 3D physical model of the assembly. Eye gaze patterns were examined to understand if performance can be improved by alternative formats of information displays and/or training.