Ergonomics in air traffic control

Abstract

As part of a continuing investigation of the conditions associated with operating irregularities in air traffic control (ATC), reports prepared during the investigation of 301 operating irregularities were analysed in order to identify the factors most likely to precipitate air traffic control operating irregularities. The results of the analysis indicated that the occurrence of operating irregularities was not directly related to rated workload. Operating irregularities were found to occur more frequently under conditions of moderate or low workload and normal complexity. In addition, some of the results may have direct implications for the design of controller workstations and the automation of selected tasks. A second objective of the work has been to develop a database system from which statistical data on operating irregularities and the various identified factors can be extracted. However, in order to enhance the integrity of the descriptive information in the database, the category structure that has been used to record the occurrence of ATC operating irregularities is being revised to reflect the contemporary approaches to human error. A brief description of the proposed structure is included in the present paper.

Keywords:

• Accidents
• Air traffic control
• Aviation
• Errors
• Interface design
• Workload.