Human factors evaluation of conflict resolution aid in future air traffic control

• Main Author: Pereira, Theresse Vanessa
• Other Authors: Qu Xingda
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Aeronautical engineering::Accidents and air safety
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/60039
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Archie W. League is usually regarded as the world’s first Air Traffic Controller. In 1929, the airport operator employed him to prevent collisions between aircrafts and his tools of communication were simply a red flag to indicate “hold” and a checked one for “go”. With the advancement of technology over the next few decades, high tech equipment were integrated into air traffic control, such as the radar, to meet the growing number of flights as more people turned to aeroplanes as a means of commercial transport. The objective of this report is to explore the potential of integrating a Conflict Resolution Advisory Aid (CRA) that will provide Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCO) with explicit resolutions. Currently, only conflict detecting aids are available and they are not able to provide resolutions for them. There is a need to provide better support for the ATCOs as there will definitely be an increase in air traffic density in the future. The main focus in carrying out this research is to study the effect the presence of a CRA has on the Situational Awareness of an ATCO. In this study, 13 student participants showed promising results that having a CRA is helpful in maintaining a high SA while carrying out their tasks. With these results, this research hopes to contribute to a better understanding of CRA design so as to not compromise the safety of human lives on-board.