Analysis of emotions and stress of air traffic controllers using combined visualisation system during holding stack management

• Main Author: Lim, Gilvey Yan Shuo
• Other Authors: Olga Sourina
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Aeronautical engineering::Aviation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/75563
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Aviation has evolved for the past century, expanding its uses. From the humble beginnings of sending mails to delivering supplies during the First World War and eventually, passenger air travel. However, with more and more aircraft flying in the skies, it would be challenging to fly to destinations without the proper guidance and support of Air Traffic Control. Like the aircraft, Air Traffic Control (ATC) or Air Traffic Management (ATM), which is now commonly known, has improved over the years to keep up with aircraft that are faster and more sophisticated, such as the introduction of Radar and ADS-B. However, advancement in ATC technology would not be sufficient in meeting the demands of increasing air traffic without minimizing a constant and inevitable problem - human. One of the potential room for error would be the way air traffic information is relayed to Air Traffic Controllers. The information layout has been unchanged since the introduction of radar, where the aircraft are displayed in a plan view as well as important information, such as speed, heading and call sign etc. Such layout can pose a serious issue in the event of heavy air traffic in the vicinity or during a holding stack, causing the radar display to be flooded with dots and numberings. As a result, increasing unnecessary stress and workload onto the controllers, hampering their performance and judgement, which can lead to serious consequences. As such, a Combined Visualisation System (CVS) which encompasses the existing two-dimensional radar display along with a three-dimensional display was suggested in hopes that it would provide clear and real-time information on aircraft movement with the added view of vertical separation. Hence, in theory, reducing the mental stress and improving psychological states of the controllers, providing them with better situational awareness and allowing them to work at their best. A 30-minute scenario was generated in which subjects from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore were required to perform holding stack management for seventeen minutes before executing arrival sequences. Results showed that the combined visualization system has no significant effects on the subjects’ emotions but has induced a 9% reduction in stress levels. Such results might not change the way Air Traffic Controllers access aircraft information significantly but can prove that there is potential in the combined visualization system. Thus, the study has indeed provided positive results and feedback, which can be beneficial for future improvements and developments of the system.