“In automation we trust” - Australian air traffic controller perspectives of increasing automation in air traffic management

Abstract

This study investigates the views of Australian Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) on increasing levels of automation in Air Traffic Managements Systems (ATMS). An online survey of current and former Australian ATCOs was conducted to identify what tools are considered useful and to what extent automation should be used within ATMS, as well as how increasing automation is expected to impact ATCOs situational awareness. The results highlighted that automation tools that supported and assisted the controller were more likely to be accepted by ATCOs. Automation tools that assumed/replaced the decision making and authority of the ATCO, had lower levels of acceptance by controllers. Increased automation (electronic strips) was considered to have both a positive and negative effect on ATCO situational awareness dependant on the type of role performed by the controller. When transitioning to systems with increased automation, the lack of system understanding/training, skill degradation and the changing role of controllers were considered the three biggest safety risks. By considering this research, the aviation industry can focus on the introduction of automation tools that can best assist ATCOs. Additionally, this study provides invaluable research from ATCOs to inform Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) when implementing more automated ATMS.