Lisa Stewart

Case Study: Developing an Operations Concept for Future Air Traffic Control

A task identification, sequencing, and analysis process defined the operational requirements of automated capabilities proposed to support human decision making in future air traffic control. Active and continuous user group involvement was a key feature of this process. Results indicate that information necessary for effective computer-human interaction design can be generated in the early phases of system development. Early application of structured engineering techniques and human factors methods leads to a better understanding of the proposed capabilities and to better communication between the users and designers of a system.

Building a Modeling and Simulation Analysis Tool to Predict Air Traffic Controller Workload and Performance

To meet expected increases in domestic air traffic, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will increase the level of automation in the domestic air traffic control (ATC) system. There is a need to assess the effects of the increased automation on controller workload and performance. Software-based engineering tools are needed to automate the analysis, allowing designers to identify potential problems early in the system design lifecycle. This paper describes one such tool, the Predictive Air Traffic Controller Analysis Model (PATCAM), a modeling and simulation analysis tool that uses a system operations concept and task attributes database, a controller activities model, a sector environment model and simulation engine, and a workload or performance model to predict the impact of system design changes on controller workload or performance.

A Methodology for Assessing the Human Factors Impacts of Increased Automation

This paper describes a new methodology for evaluating the personnel-related aspects of a current system and for predicting the effects of proposed changes to the system resulting from increasing levels of automation. The methodology is the product of an interdisciplinary approach in which systems analysis, human factors, computer science, and cognitive psychology have provided the necessary knowledge bases. Although the methodology will be applied initially to the ground control operations at NASA-Godclard Space Flight Center, it can be generalized to a variety of application areas.

Case Study: Designing the ERBS Control Room

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is the site of command, control, and communication support for NASA near-earth satellites. Recently, human factors has been incorporated into the control room design process. The first project was the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS). This paper summarizes the results of the ERBS human factors analysis, discusses the problems of human factors involvement in the Goddard design process, and identifies and discusses issues likely to determine the effectiveness of future Goddard human factors analyses.