I think the problem the NTSB presents is simple. Replacing numerous needles, dials and readouts with a handful of CRT's (later LCD's) held more promise than it delivered. Having related information collated onto a single display eases roving eyes and the addition of trend tell tales and critical number bracketing will surely enhance the safe operation of any aircraft. Or will it?
I recall reading a human factors paper put out by either Stanford or MIT in the early eighties where they looked at how we interpret single device data (gauge) compared to one item among multiple readouts on glass.
It was discovered that a discrete device generally produced a stronger stimulus in comparison to a number or graphical readout on a CRT screen. The difference had something to do with how our mind works - words to the effect of "more 'weight' was assigned to the stand-alone gauge" and one reason given was "the gauge occupied a physical station on a panel board or aircraft cockpit."
The recommendation? You guessed it. Training.