ABSTRACT
This paper outlines a project in the domain of Air Traffic Management (ATM), specifically concerned with the introduction of computerised assistance (i.e. automation) for certain air traffic controller functions (e.g. detection of aircraft ‘conflicts’; the conveyance of certain routine messages to and from aircraft crew; etc.). Experience in other related domains such as cockpit automation has shown that failure to take account of Human Factors issues early on in the development of such automation endeavours, can lead at the least to ‘start-up’ problems, and at the most ‘automation-assisted accidents’ (Billings, 1997). A new project has therefore been launched at EUROCONTROL headquarters in Brussels, which aims to provide assessment techniques or tools, and guidance to ensure that the implementation of future automation will not negatively impact on human (and therefore system) performance and safety.
