|
An Experimental Approach to Measuring the Effects of a Controller Conflict Probe in a Free Routing Environment
2001 Award Winner
Karol Kerns, The MITRE Corporation
ABSTRACT
The unstructured traffic environment that is gradually evolving in the National Airspace System may necessitate decision aiding tools to help controllers manage aircraft traffic efficiently and within acceptable safety and workload levels. An experiment was designed to assess the effect of conflict detection and trial planning resolution aids and traffic conditions on the performance of controllers and the efficiency of flight. Twelve controllers participated in a high fidelity simulation study in the Indianapolis Center dynamic simulation facility using the User Request Evaluation Tool (URET). Study results indicated that URET clearly improves the acceptability of operations and may enhance safety, particularly in the unstructured environment. In addition, the study findings strongly support a shift toward more strategic air traffic control with conflict probe as well as a significant increase in the contribution of the D controller to the primary sector tasks. Because of study limitations, it was not possible to associate any quantitative estimates of airspace user benefits with the potentially more efficient resolution strategies. The results and experimental approach are discussed in terms of their contribution to measurement methods and issues in the evolutionary progression toward a free flight-based air traffic system.
Publication
Published in 2001. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, Special Issue on Air Traffic Control II, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 81–91.
Copyright ©2001 IEEE. Reprinted from IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems. This material is posted here with permission of the IEEE. Such permission of the IEEE does not in any way imply IEEE endorsement of any of MITRE's products or services. Internal or personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/ republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution must be obtained from the IEEE by sending a blank email message to pubs-permissions@ieee.org. By choosing to view this document, you agree to all provisions of the copyright laws protecting it.
Additional Search Keywords
Conflict probe, controller decision support, benefits assessment, human factors
|
