Eye-tracking metrics for estimating workload and characterizing errors in conflict detection and resolution during simulated en route air-traffic control

Navia, José A.; Ibáñez-Gijón, Jorge; Travieso, David; Montes, Aitor; de Frutos, Patricia López · 2025 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1644721

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Summary

This study investigates whether eye-tracking metrics can reliably estimate mental workload (MWL) and characterize the mechanisms underlying errors in conflict detection and resolution (CD&R) during simulated en route air-traffic control. Motivated by the need for adaptive decision-support tools that can anticipate controller overload and mishandled conflicts, the research addresses two primary questions: whether global ocular metrics serve as reliable MWL indicators, and whether specific gaze patterns and intervention behaviors can identify the sources of CD&R errors. The experimental design involved 24 novice participants who completed six 16-minute radar scenarios using the ATC-Lab Advanced simulator. The study employed a 2 × 3 within-subjects factorial design manipulating traffic load (six vs. twelve aircraft) and airspace complexity (low, medium, high). A remote eye-tracker recorded pupil diameter, blink dynamics, and fixations on static areas of interest (sector, out-of-sector, flight-strip) and dynamic aircraft-centered areas. Subjective MWL was assessed using the Instantaneous Self-Assessment (ISA) and NASA-TLX scales. Two scripted conflict events of varying complexity were analyzed in detail to examine the relationship between gaze behavior and controller interventions. Results demonstrated that higher traffic density and complexity significantly increased self-reported MWL, enlarged pupils, reduced blink rates and durations, and concentrated fixations within the active sector. Blink rate and pupil size accounted for up to 94% of the variance in MWL. Analysis of conflict resolution revealed distinct error mechanisms based on complexity. In simpler conflicts, errors primarily stemmed from detection failures; successful resolutions were characterized by sustained gaze on converging aircraft and frequent altitude-change clearances, whereas failures showed reduced fixation times and lack of intervention. Conversely, errors in more complex conflicts resulted from planning breakdowns despite initial detection. Successful resolutions in these cases involved multiple interventions, while failures were associated with prolonged fixation times but insufficient corrective action. The findings indicate that global ocular indices provide precise estimates of MWL, while gaze-action couplings can help anticipate specific types of errors in CD&R. The study concludes that embedding both global workload monitoring and phase-specific gaze analysis into adaptive ATC support systems could enable real-time MWL management and proactive mitigation of separation-loss events. This approach offers a balance between the interpretability of controlled studies and the ecological validity required for operational implementation.

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• workload measurement
• gaze based attention detection

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