Human Factors Programs
The Human Factors Team-Atlantic City is functionally divided into three program areas: Air Traffic Control Research, Technical Operations Research, and System Acquisition Support. The Air Traffic Control and Technical Operations Research programs conduct projects examining new operations concepts. These projects focus on longer time frames and are funded primarily by the Human Factors Research and Engineering Group as part of the FAA Human Factors Research Program. System Acquisition Support focuses on shorter time frames and specific systems that the FAA is developing or purchasing. Acquisition work is coordinated with the research program, but is funded by individual program offices. Collocation of these three areas in one group allows seamless transfer of research results into acquisitions and acquisition needs and concerns to be considered in research.
Air Traffic Control Human Factors Research
This program conducts basic human factors research in the air traffic control domain. We examine medium- and long-term issues relating to the safety and capacity of the National Airspace System, particularly as those issues relate to controller performance, workload, and cognitive abilities.
Technical Operations Human Factors Research
Technical Operations is the part of the NAS responsible for system monitoring, diagnostics, certification, maintenance, management, and restoration of the NAS infrastructure. The Technical Operations Human Factors Research Program conducts basic human factors research in the Technical Operations Domain. We examine medium- and long-term issues that affect the safety, performance, workload, and job satisfaction of the people who maintain the National Airspace System.
Human Factors Support for Acquisition Programs
The Acquisitions Support Program seeks to integrate human factors policies, processes, and best practices into the acquisition of FAA systems. We support programs in the terminal, tower, en route, traffic management, flight service, and Technical Operations domains.
