ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a hierarchy of human factors contributions, approximately in their preferred sequence of occurrence. General human factors problems can be identified either because they commonly arise in complex human–machine systems, or because they are associated with other disciplines which interface with air traffic control, or because they can be inferred from basic human attributes. The human factors contributions must be in phase with the contributions from all the other disciplines involved in the progressive evolution of the air traffic control system. Human factors reasons feature prominently in the updating of air traffic control systems and in the justification of new ones. Human factors principles can and should be applied to the planning of air traffic control systems as well as to the products of that planning. At the design stage, system plans reach fruition and are converted into specifications and descriptions of facilities, functions and procedures. System procurement follows the system specification and design stages.
