Designing future advanced controller displays

Abstract

This paper describes the design of an advanced human-machine interface for well-trained, professional users, i.e. air traffic controllers. The safety implications of their tasks, combined with the short reaction time available to the user, result in high demands on the interface between the human and the supporting information system. The increasing demand for air traffic capacity (which can not be accommodated by just deploying more personnel as the additional co-ordination offsets the workload reduction) necessitates the introduction of innovative support tools to prevent human overload. Experience with the introduction of such tools stresses the need to design their user interfaces using a ‘human-centred approach’, contrasting with the traditional ‘technology-centred approach’.