1. Survey of Traffic and Radar Controller Communication and Workload
Fedja Netjasov, Tatjana Krstic and Igor Poltoracki
University of Belgrade
Faculty of Traffic and Transport Engineering
Division of Airports and Air Traffic Safety .

2. Air Traffic Controller Tasks
Traffic monitoring;
Conflict detection and resolution;
Vectoring;
Communication with Pilots and other Controllers;
Etc.

3. Controller Workload and Communication - Pilot Study
Belgrade ACC, sector North East;
March 17/ , 4 hours each day;
Recordings:
Tape recorder – radio frequency, telephone, interphone;
Tape recorder – working position;
Video camera – radar display;

4. Structure of the Study Analysis of traffic characteristics;
Analysis of controller communication vs. traffic;
Analysis of controller workload vs. traffic;
Analysis of controller workload vs. communication.

5. Analysis of Traffic Characteristics
Cumulative number of aircraft in sector;
Max number of simultaneously present aircraft in the sector;
Cumulative number of flight strips on the console;
Max number of simultaneously present flight strips on the console;
Total number of potential conflicts;
Total number of transfers.

6. Number of flight strips (March 17)
Number of aircraft (March 17)
Number of transfers and potential conflicts (March 17)

7. Controller’s communication

8. Analysis of Communication
Total number of controllers communications during 15 min intervals;
Total duration of controllers communications during 15 min intervals;
Structure of conversations;
Average pauses between conversations.

9. Structure of total number of conversations
Structure of total duration of conversations
Structure of conversations with aircraft crews
Structure of conversations with planning controller

10. Analysis of Communication (cont.)
No. of conversations vs. No. of aircraft
Total duration of conversations
vs. No. of aircraft

11. Analysis of Workload
NASA TLX (Task Load Index) Method for subjective assessment of controller workload
Relevant factors for workload assessment:
Mental demand;
Physical demand;
Temporal demand;
Performance;
Frustration level, and
Effort

12. Comparative Analysis of Traffic Parameters and Workload
Cumulative Number of Active Strips,
Number of Potential Conflicts
and Workload Index
Controller No.1
Number of Aircraft in Sector,
Number of Potential Conflicts
and Workload Index
Controller No.1

13. Comparative Analysis of Traffic Parameters and Workload (cont.)
Workload Index vs Number of Aircraft in the Sector
Workload Index vs.
Number of Aircraft in the Sector – classes

14. Comparative Analysis of Communication and Workload
Changes of Number of Conversations and Workload Index (March 17)
Changes of Duration of Conversations and Workload Index (March 17)

15. Comparative Analysis of Communication and Workload (cont.)
Workload Index vs.
Number of Conversations
Workload Index vs.
Duration of Conversations

16. Conclusion
Purpose of presented survey was to determine engagement of tactical controller on communication and influence of this engagement on estimated workload;
Analysis of conversation structure showed that tactical controller most frequently communicate with aircraft crews and then with planning controller;
It was concluded that the communication is important factor influencing controller workload, i.e. the increase of number and duration of conversation leads to workload increase;

17. Conclusion (cont.)
Analysis showed also that the NASA - TLX method for workload assessment is sensitive to objective changes of controller workload;
However, application of this method have not overcomed significant individual differences between controllers in understanding the term workload, as well as its assessment.

18. Further research
Continuation of survey with aim of sample increase, which would enable determination of functional relationship between workload and traffic/communication parameters for purpose of workload prediction;
To see the impact of new communication technology (e.g. data link) on communication parameters and on workload.

19. Thank you for your attention
University of Belgrade
Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering
Department of Air Transport
Division of Airports and Air Traffic Safety
Vojvode Stepe 305, Belgrade
Serbia and Montenegro
tel:
fax: