The cooperative shift change: an illustration using air traffic control

Abstract

We define the cooperative shift change and consider it from the perspective of four phases identified in Grusenmeyer (International Journal of Human Factors in Manufacturing, 5, 163–176, 1995): end-of-shift, arrival, meeting, and taking post. We describe the differences expected for the phases for both outgoing and incoming operators, discuss various domains that differ in their shift-change profile, and consider why those profile differences obtain. With this framework as a backdrop, we explore in detail the shift change, or position relief briefing (PRB), of air traffic control. This theoretical framework has the potential to aid in the classification and comparison of the transfer of responsibility in a variety of industrial tasks. This study could aid in the implementation of changes for air traffic control PRBs.

Keywords:

• Air traffic control
• Shift change
• Cooperation
• Briefings

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the controllers and administration of Kansas City, Chicago, and Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Centres. Thanks to Carol Manning, Arathi Sethumadhavan, Larry Bailey, Julia Pound, Kate Bleckley, and Rick Koubek for comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. This work was supported by a cooperative agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration to the first author.