Electronic Tabular Display Subsystem (ETABS) study: A controller evaluation of an en route flight data entry and display system
Updated:02:58 PM March 20, 2009
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| Document Number: | DOT/FAA/CT-TN83/09 |
| Year of Publication: | 1983 |
| Authors: |
B.L. Rosenberg
T.E. Zurinskas |
APA Reference
Rosenberg, B.L. & Zurinskas, T.E. (1983). Electronic Tabular Display Subsystem (ETABS) study: A controller evaluation of an en route flight data entry and display system (DOT/FAA/CT-TN83/09). Atlantic City International Airport: Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center.
Abstract
This report describes a subjective evaluation of an automated en route air
traffic control (ATC) flight data handling system known as the Electronic
Tabular Display Subsystem (ETABS) engineering model. This engineering model was
installed at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Center's En
Route ATC Laboratory for operational simulation tests. The main objective of
these tests was to determine the potential value of specific ETABS features for
use in the future En Route Sector Suite. The features evaluated were primarily
the replacement of paper flight strips and printers by a cathode-ray tube (CRT)
electronic flight strip display and a separate menu-prompted CRT touch screen
data entry device. Ten volunteer, active, en route ATC specialists served as
test subjects, each alternating as a radar (R)-controller, data (D)-controller,
or observer at their assigned sectors. Data were collected in the form of eight
questionnaires administered at various training and test intervals. Results
showed that the feature most highly rated was the CRT display of flight strips
on the near tabular display. Most said that this was the one ETABS feature ready
for operational implementation. They preferred a two-line flight strip format
with local ability to modify strip data format and contents.
Controllers reported problems with interactive display touch-entry errors and
with complexity of menu structure. ETABS was judged fairly easy to learn and
operate. The subject controllers made many written comments for improving ETABS.
The controllers judged that implementation of this modified ETABS concept and
its operational use could result in a substantial improvement to the present ATC
system.
