Collaborative Systems Assessment: Flightdeck, Air Traffic Control, Flight Operations Center and Automation

Seamster, Thomas L; Chevalley, Eric; Kanki, Barbara G. · 2011 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration

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Summary

This report addresses the need for a structured framework to assess collaborative systems within the National Airspace System (NAS) as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implements NextGen improvements. The research was motivated by the anticipated shifts in roles and responsibilities among flightdeck crews, air traffic control (ATC), and flight operations centers (FOC), alongside increased automation. To ensure that these changes yield safety and efficiency benefits without introducing human factors problems or exceeding performance limitations, the authors sought to develop a method for evaluating how responsibilities are redistributed among human collaborators and automated systems. The study employed a three-part methodology to construct this assessment framework. First, the researchers conducted comprehensive literature and state-of-the-practice reviews to analyze current interactions and projected collaborations, resulting in a bibliography of relevant studies. Second, they delineated the specific roles and responsibilities of flightdeck, ATC, and FOC personnel in current operations. By synchronizing detailed task listings for each group, they identified points of interaction, coordination, and communication, producing a "Flightdeck-ATC-FOC Interaction Matrix" that serves as a baseline for current collaboration. Third, they analyzed the transition from current to NextGen operations, using trajectory-based operations as a specific example to identify key elements and human factors considerations required for future assessments. The findings characterize current NAS collaboration as having limited interaction and minimal advanced automation, with responsibilities largely divided rather than shared. The report establishes that collaboration involves both the division of work and the coordination of interdependent tasks, often managed through standardization and direct supervision. The developed framework provides a tool for assessing future collaborative systems by examining inputs such as phases of flight, media, and collaborator responsibilities, and outputs such as human factors risks and performance tradeoffs. The analysis highlights that NextGen will likely increase collaboration by enhancing FOC and automation roles and improving flightdeck-ATC coordination. The significance of this work lies in providing a procedure- and technology-neutral framework for evaluating NextGen collaborative systems. By offering a standardized method to assess the redistribution of roles and responsibilities, the report supports the design of human-centric systems that integrate new technologies and procedures effectively. This framework ensures that potential benefits and risks are identified early, facilitating the development of appropriate collaborative arrangements that maintain safety and productivity within the evolving NAS.

Key finding

The research produced a Flightdeck-ATC-FOC Interaction Matrix and a collaborative assessment framework to evaluate role redistribution and human factors in NextGen operations.

Methodology

review

Provenance

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• automation