Air Traffic Controller Performance in a Human-in-the-Loop Virtual Tower Simulation

The Federal Aviation Administration is implementing the Next Generation of Air Transportation Systems, with greater reliance on surface surveillance sensors to provide a virtual representation to controllers of ground activity, reducing the need for controllers to look out-the-window (OTW). This study investigated how presently available technology can be used as a virtual control tower by the controller workforce. Thirty-two human-in-the-loop scenarios were conducted in an air traffic control tower simulator with different equipment configurations and under different operating conditions. Six recently retired controllers participated. Team performance on airport operations was comparable when surface surveillance information was provided, with or without the OTW view under good visibility. Advantages were found for surface surveillance when visibility was reduced. Mental workload was lower when surface surveillance was available under low visibility conditions, and reliance on radio communications also decreased. Subjective ratings indicate that controllers are most comfortable using some combination of existing technology and procedures for adapting to a virtual tower. The results are discussed with respect to future systems for controllers