Engineering the Man-Machine Interface for Air Traffic Control

Computer ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kloster ◽  
Zellweger
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Machine Interface ◽  
Man Machine Interface

A Predictor-Compensator Design to Assist Human Decision-Making Process in an Air-Traffic-Control Simulator

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keivan Sadeghzadeh ◽  
Rifat Sipahi
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic Control ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Human Errors ◽  
Compensator Design ◽  
Human Decision ◽  
Machine Interface ◽  
Smart Machines ◽  
Human Operators

Air traffic control is a demanding task for human operators, as this task requires tracking multiple events, managing the events, and taking actions in the presence of multiple and possibly competing objectives. In such critical tasks, human intelligence is extremely crucial however human decisions also become more prone to errors, which could cause tragic events. One idea to prevent such errors is to design smart machines that can assist human subjects in making decisions whenever human errors become more likely. In this article, we present a simulation model that captures the essence of how a human subject model would interact with a simplified version of an air traffic control simulator, and show how we design a predictor-compensator in order to regulate and possibly improve this interaction, such that overall human-machine interface can be optimized, and human workload is reduced on average.

Workload Perception of Air Traffic Control Officers and Pilots During Continuous Descent Operations Approach Procedures

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-11
Author(s):  
Marina Efthymiou ◽  
Frank Fichert ◽  
Olaf Lantzsch
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Consumption ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic Control ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Reduce Fuel Consumption ◽  
Total Load ◽  
Open Path

Abstract. The paper examines the workload perceived by air traffic control officers (ATCOs) and pilots during continuous descent operations (CDOs), applying closed- and open-path procedures. CDOs reduce fuel consumption and noise emissions. Therefore, they are supported by airports as well as airlines. However, their use often depends on pilots asking for CDOs and controllers giving approval and directions. An adapted NASA Total Load Index (TLX) was used to measure the workload perception of ATCOs and pilots when applying CDOs at selected European airports. The main finding is that ATCOs’ workload increased when giving both closed- and open-path CDOs, which may have a negative impact on their willingness to apply CDOs. The main problem reported by pilots was insufficient distance-to-go information provided by ATCOs. The workload change is important when considering the use of CDOs.

How to Evaluate Remote Tower Metrics in Connection With Weather Observations

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maik Friedrich ◽  
Christoph Möhlenbrink
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic Control ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Weather Event ◽  
Evaluation Of Performance ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Weather Observations ◽  
Validation Experiment ◽  
Remote Controller

Abstract. Owing to the different approaches for remote tower operation, a standardized set of indicators is needed to evaluate the technical implementations at a task performance level. One of the most influential factors for air traffic control is weather. This article describes the influence of weather metrics on remote tower operations and how to validate them against each other. Weather metrics are essential to the evaluation of different remote controller working positions. Therefore, weather metrics were identified as part of a validation at the Erfurt-Weimar Airport. Air traffic control officers observed weather events at the tower control working position and the remote control working position. The eight participating air traffic control officers answered time-synchronized questionnaires at both workplaces. The questionnaires addressed operationally relevant weather events in the aerodrome. The validation experiment targeted the air traffic control officer’s ability to categorize and judge the same weather event at different workplaces. The results show the potential of standardized indicators for the evaluation of performance and the importance of weather metrics in relation to other evaluation metrics.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document