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Analysis of Interactive Conflict Resolution Tool Usage in a Mixed Equipage EnvironmentA human-in-the-loop simulation was conducted that examined separation assurance concepts in varying levels of traffic density with mixtures of aircraft equipage and automation. This paper's analysis focuses on one of the experimental conditions in which traffic levels were approximately fifty percent higher than today, and approximately fifty percent of the traffic within the test area were equipped with data communications (data comm) capabilities. The other fifty percent of the aircraft required control by voice much like today. Within this environment, the air traffic controller participants were provided access to tools and automation designed to support the primary task of separation assurance that are currently unavailable. Two tools were selected for analysis in this paper: 1) a pre-probed altitude fly-out menu that provided instant feedback of conflict probe results for a range of altitudes, and 2) an interactive auto resolver that provided on-demand access to an automation-generated conflict resolution trajectory. Although encouraged, use of the support tools was not required; the participants were free to use the tools as they saw fit, and they were also free to accept, reject, or modify the resolutions offered by the automation. This mode of interaction provided a unique opportunity to examine exactly when and how these tools were used, as well as how acceptable the resolutions were. Results showed that the participants used the pre-probed altitude fly-out menu in 14% of conflict cases and preferred to use it in a strategic timeframe on data comm equipped and level flight aircraft. The interactive auto resolver was also used in a primarily strategic timeframe on 22% of conflicts and that their preference was to use it on conflicts involving data comm equipped aircraft as well. Of the 258 resolutions displayed, 46% were implemented and 54% were not. The auto resolver was rated highly by participants in terms of confidence and preference. Factors such as aircraft equipage, ownership, and location of predicted separation loss appeared to play a role in the decision of controllers to accept or reject the auto resolver's resolutions.
Document ID
20140005979
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Homola, Jeffrey (San Jose State Univ. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Morey, Susan (San Jose State Univ. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Cabrall, Christopher (San Jose State Univ. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Martin, Lynne (San Jose State Univ. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Mercer, Joey (San Jose State Univ. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Prevot, Thomas (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
May 20, 2014
Publication Date
August 19, 2013
Subject Category
Avionics And Aircraft Instrumentation
Air Transportation And Safety
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN7785
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control
Location: Boston, MA
Country: United States
Start Date: August 19, 2013
End Date: August 22, 2013
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 411931.02.02.01.13.02
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX12AB08A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
auto resolver
separation assurance
conflict resolution

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