ABSTRACT
Continuing increases in the volume of air traffic have led designers towards greater utilisation of automation in new air traffic control (ATC) systems. However, the emphasis of development to date has been driven by advances in technology. If automated controller support is to fulfil its potential, the requirements of the user need to be the primary consideration.
If automated support is going to be effective in assisting the controller then it is necessary to fully understand the characteristics of the user and then to use this information to match technology to human requirements. The key human factors (HF) issues which have been identified by National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and included in its research programme will extend understanding of how a controller builds their ‘picture’ of the traffic, how the ‘picture’ is maintained whilst a controller is involved in the task of controlling air traffic, how use of equipment contributes to performance of the task and how the ‘picture’ breaks down and contribute to incidents. It is only through exploring these issues in an applied setting that practical, functional and above all safe solutions to capacity demands will be achieved.
This paper highlights the human factors considerations that need to be applied to operational air traffic control lo achieve successful automated support, and sets out a research agenda for addressing these issues.
