Human engineering aspects of radar air traffic control : IV. A comparison of sector and in-line control procedures

Author / Creator

Schipper, Lowell M., author

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Online

Summary

"The present experiment is the fourth in a series of studies using the OSU Air Traffic Control Simulator. Experiments I, II, and III investigated the effects on system performance of different TRAF...

"The present experiment is the fourth in a series of studies using the OSU Air Traffic Control Simulator. Experiments I, II, and III investigated the effects on system performance of different TRAFFIC and DISPLAY variables. This experiment was principally concerned with the evaluation of two types of two-man control procedures, an ORGANIZATION variable, according to criteria of safety and efficiency. Two novice controllers worked alternately with a highly-skilled controller under two conditions of heavy traffic flow. The independent variables, type of system, novice controllers, and rate of traffic entry were manipulated in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement which provided for tests of significance between all three independent variables and their interactions. A return-to-base mission of 26 jet aircraft of both bomber and fighter types was simulated. These aircraft entered the traffic area approximately 60 naut. mi. from touchdown at partially randomized positions and times and at altitudes between 25,000 and 40,000 ft. In the more difficult problems, aircraft entered at the average rate of one per minute. In problems at the slower of the two rates, aircraft entered at an average rate of one every 90 sec. All measures of system efficiency except Estimated Excess Delay Build-Up showed no differences between Systems, Controllers, or Rates of Entry. The delay criterion indicated a statistically significant difference between the two novice controllers in terms of time over and above a theoretical minimum landing time. Approximately equal numbers of conflicts (less than 30-sec. GCA gate separation) were found with both systems. Although one is not justified in extrapolating on the basis of the data for the two levels studied, there is a definite suggestion that at rates still higher than the 60 per hour, the Sector system of control may prove to be significantly superior to the In-Line system. At the two rates used here there were no statistically significant differences between the systems. However, at the higher of the two rates the Sector system showed a slight superiority with all measures of system efficiency. Only one of these two procedures (In-Line Control) is used extensively in present-day military air traffic control centers; it appears that the Sector system should be given extensive operational tests as an alternative procedure."--Abstract

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