Air traffic controllers are required to sort out and project the paths of an ever-increasing number of aircraft to ensure the goals of minimum separation and safe, efficient landing and takeoff operations. This taxing job relies upon the situation awareness (SA) of controllers to maintain up-to-date assessments of the rapidly changing location of each aircraft, their projected future locations relative to each other and other crucial parameters. Controllers have historically called this “the picture” – their mental model of the situation on which all of their decisions hinge. Successful controller performance depends, to a great degree, on the reliable assimilation of all these data.
Understanding which elements of the environment are important for situation awareness at any one time depends on a thorough analysis of the cognitive activities required of controllers. SA Technologies has conducted in-depth analysis of SA requirements for controllers using Goal-directed Task Analysis.
In conjunction with the requirements analysis, SA Technologies has developed measurement tools that allow situation awareness to be carefully validated. The tools also provide a way to evaluate proposed system design changes, automation efforts and operational concepts fundamental to creating systems that will perform to required safety standards.
SA Technologies has conducted research on controller situation awareness and evaluated advanced automated and free flight concepts for the Federal Aviation Administration.
Contact us today to learn more about situation awareness in the Air Traffic Control Industry
