Collocation of User Request Evaluation Tool, Traffic Management Advisor, and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications: An initial Human Factors Evaluation

This study was a human factors evaluation of collocating User Request Evaluation Tool (URET), Core Capability Limited Deployment, Traffic Management Advisor, and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), formerly Build 1A. Human Factors Specialists conducted the evaluation in two phases: a \u201cpaper and pencil\u201d study - Phase 1 and a modified cognitive walkthrough - Phase 2. They examined the tools from existing documentation and system design in the context of human factors best practices. Four primary human factors issues emerged from this analysis: 1) Computer-Human Interface (CHI) inconsistencies; 2) Radar Associate (RA)-side collocation and timely access to information; 3) Communication of information between the RA-side and Radar-side controllers; and 4) National Airspace System updates from the different tools. Results include recommendations for human factors engineering for integrating the URET, CPDLC, and Computer Readout Display information on the RA-side, as well as working toward improving CHI consistencies

Complexity in Airport Traffic Control Towers: A Field Study. Part 2. Controller Strategies and Information Requirements

This two-part field study investigated sources of complexity and their incidence within Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs). Human Factors Specialists from the William J. Hughes Technical Center selected six sites representing a combination of high traffic volume, traffic mix, and/or converging runways. Sixty-two Air Traffic Control Specialists participated in the study, providing ratings and descriptions of the complexity sources from a local- and ground-controller perspective. The first report represented a key step in identifying and characterizing the primary sources of complexity within ATCTs and assessing their relative incidence and importance. The second report identifies the strategies that tower controllers use to mitigate complexity, the types of information that they require, and the sources of this information. The participants reported relying on two to three core strategies, which they supplemented with ad hoc techniques. Results from this field study hold implications for future tower automation equipment design. Future research efforts should systematically investigate tower controller information needs and focus, in particular, on sources such as high traffic volume and frequency congestion, which are among the most prevalent sources of complexity within this environment

Adapting the Cognitive Walkthrough Method to Assess the Usability of a Knowledge Domain Visualization

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Auditory Alarms in an Airway Facilities Environment

This report describes a study on auditory alarms in Airway Facilities (AF). There are two parts of the study. The first part of the study presents a baseline of current auditory alarms and the current acoustical environment at AF operational sites. A research team from the William J. Hughes Technical Center visited Service Operations Centers at several Air Route Traffic Control Centers and Terminal Radar Approach Control facilities. They collected data on current AF alarms and the AF acoustical environment, including facility layouts. A researcher then captured and recorded the data, which are summarized. The document also provides a baseline of information for future systems. The second part of the study presents the results of a survey and structured interviews conducted at AF sites. The survey consisted of 15 potential auditory alarm issues that are often problematic in other environments. AF specialists rated these issues for the relevance to their own environments. The research team then followed up with structured interviews to obtain additional information and place a perspective on the issues identified in the rating exercise. Finally, the researchers provide recommendations based on human factors guidelines and research to help resolve these issues for AF specialists

Complexity in Air Traffic Control Towers: A Field Study Part 1\u2014 Complexity Factors

This study investigated factors that contribute to complexity and their incidence within Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCTs). Human Factors Specialists from the William J. Hughes Technical Center selected six sites representing a combination of high traffic volume, traffic mix, and/or converging runways. Sixty-two Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs) from the six ATCTs rated 29 complexity factors from local and ground controller perspective. The relative contribution of each of the complexity factors was site- and position- specific. High traffic volume, frequency congestion, and runway/taxiway configuration were among the leading complexity factors at all sites and for both control positions. This study characterized the differences between facilities in terms of the key factors and their incidence and summarized the interview data describing the nature of the complexity. An enhanced understanding of ATCSs\u2019 decision making and tower complexity factors will help researchers predict the impact of automation and emerging technologies on controllers and ensure the continued safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System