Does Animation Facilitate Comprehension of Public Information Graphics? Evidence from Eye Tracking

Graphic information displays have the potential to communicate public information in situations where normal announcement types are ineffective. This study used eye tracking techniques to analyze comprehension mechanism of event-related information on railway traffic disruptions presented via different graphic formats. One hundred thirteen participants were asked to understand and compare series of traffic disruption messages delivered via three purely visual formats. Animated displays were the most effective presentation type. Eye tracking data showed why an animation facilitates comprehension: it enhances processing strategies which provide the best condition for segmenting the causal chain of the events provided in the message.