Human Factors Research & Engineering Group
Human Factors Team-Atlantic City (HFTAC)
Updated:01:23 PM August 21, 2009
News & Updates
August 21, 2009
We added TC-09/03: Review of Aircraft Self-Spacing Concepts: Implications for Controller Display Requirements by Carolina Zingale and Ben Willems. This report summarizes the concepts and the simulations conducted on pilot self-spacing and self-separation between 2005 and 2007 and focuses on the implications for air traffic control information needs and display enhancements.
We also added TC-09/08: Comparing the Tower Operations Digital Data System to Paper Flight Progress Strips in Zero-Visibility Operations by Todd Truitt and Robert Muldoon. This experiment used a high-fidelity, human-in-the-loop simulation to compare the Tower Operations Digital Data System (TODDS) to paper flight progress strips (FPSs) during zero-visibility Airport Traffic Control Tower operations. The data revealed advantages for surface surveillance and TODDS. The Integrated TODDS provided additional benefits that may help reduce the risk of runway incursions, ease the flow of surface operations, and support the Staffed Virtual Tower concept.
March 20, 2009
We added TC-08/15: Moving Toward an Air Traffic Control Display Standard: Creating a Standardized Color Palette for Terminal Situation Displays by Ferne Friedman-Berg, Kenneth Allendoerfer, and Shantanu Pai. This project is part of the multiyear effort to develop standardized user interfaces for air traffic control systems. In this case, we applied human factors standards for using color to terminal situation displays to develop a detailed color palette that provides the best human factors performance and that is expressed in terms that system vendors can understand and implement.
We also added TC-09/01: Factors Affecting the Communication of Status Information Between Technical Operations and Air Traffic Personnel by Vicki Ahlstrom, Robert Muldoon, and Henry Dorsey. This study identifies and assesses ways to improve communication of system status between the personnel who use and maintain the equipment of the National Airspace System.
Mission
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Human Factors Team-Atlantic City (HFTAC) employs scientific methods and advanced technology in the conduct of research and development to ensure that systems that include human operators and maintainers perform as effectively and safely as possible.
What Makes Us Unique
The members of the Human Factors Team-Atlantic City have a broad range of skills, knowledge, and experience that distinguishes them from other organizations conducting human factors work for the FAA. In addition to having graduate training in human factors, psychology, engineering, and related fields, we have studied air traffic control, NAS maintenance, and flight deck operations by working closely with current controllers, technicians, and pilots. We use the William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC) laboratories that contain all the current and developmental systems in the National Airspace System (NAS), and regularly visit FAA field facilities to observe and collect data about their operations. Our engineering research psychologists speak the users' language while maintaining a scientific, human-centered, system-oriented perspective.
Within the Research, Development, and Human Factors Laboratory (RDHFL), we conduct research to develop methods of measuring human performance in the aviation environments, to evaluate longer term operational concepts, and to develop useful databases and design standards. The R&D Labs Group provides outstanding technical, engineering, and computer science support to these efforts. Together, we have developed high fidelity rapid prototyping and human-in-the-loop simulation capabilities coupled with specialized human operator and system performance measures. Finally, we use this information and methods to work with stakeholder groups to evaluate existing systems and to design nearer term developmental systems and procedures to ensure that the operators and maintainers can use them safely and effectively to perform their critical jobs. The collocation and collaboration between the research and acquisition personnel and activities increases the relevance and quality of our products. The human-centered design processes are intended to make these frequently complex systems relatively easy to learn and use so as to increase productivity and efficiency while minimizing the potential for error. Our focus is on designing systems and procedures for the NAS that meet the needs of the operators and maintainers, and ultimately the FAA customers (pilots, airlines, commercial operations, and the traveling public) rather than on trying to select, train, and manage people that can use technology-centered systems.
Earl S. Stein, Ph.D.
Federal Aviation Administration
William J. Hughes Technical Center, Building 28
Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405
Phone:(609) 485-6389
Fax: (609) 485-6218
Earl.Stein@faa.gov
01:23 PM August 21, 2009