Evaluation of Airspace Complexity and Dynamic Density Metrics Derived from Operational Data

Abstract

Mental workload experienced by air traffic controllers cannot be measured directly but may be inferred from observable performance or task load imposed on them by volume and complexity of traffic. This research evaluated several measures used to quantify the aforementioned variables. Data were obtained from Indianapolis (ZID) and Kansas City (ZKC) centers and processed by a modified objective activity and task load assessment program, POWER. We compared sectors with different characteristics to measures of pilot-controller communications and to sector complexity metrics, derived from the POWER output. Results from ZKC data were evaluated against subjective workload ratings. The ZID results were consistent with the different characteristics of the selected sectors. Dynamic density correlated with subjective workload estimates and controller transmission durations, known to be a workload indicator. This research demonstrated the viability of extracting metrics relevant to controller task load from operational data and the practicability of implementing additional algorithms to the POWER program for derivation of new metrics.