Keeping an eagle eye on automation

Increasing automation in air traffic control is considered essential to improve the performance of Europe’s air traffic management system. The challenge is to ensure that air traffic controllers remain in the loop to monitor effectively the system and step in when the task becomes too complex to handle for the automated system. However, experience in other domains shows that such a monitoring role can lower the attention span or results in a loss of situational awareness and skills.

With this in mind, the MINIMA project developed a vigilance and attention controller (VAC) tool using electroencephalography, which can measure in real-time controller vigilance and triggers adaptive automation functionalities when vigilance is waning.

The tool was tested by 15 controllers using two similar realistic scenarios: the first was a baseline scenario with the highest level of automation while the second scenario used the VAC tool to monitor and adapt the automation functionalities subject to vigilance levels. The VAC proved to successfully identify episodes of decreasing controller vigilance, and re-increase it through its adaptive automation system. The tool helped to introduce a level of interaction between the controllers and the system, making tasks more stimulating for the controllers.  

As a next step towards operational usability, researchers are looking at how to make the VAC more comfortable, easier to use and configure.

Benefits

Improved interaction between controllers and automated system

Increased levels of vigilance and situational awareness

Improved safety and performance

Project Deliverables

699282_D1.1_State of the Art Report

699282_D1.2_Concept Description

699282_D3.1_Evaluation Plan

699282_D3.2_Evaluation Results

699282_D5.1_Project Management Plan