Petri-Net-Based Modeling of Human Operator's Planning for the Evaluation of Task Performance Using the Example of Air Traffic Control

Abstract

With respect to planning capabilities, a model is developed to be used for the evaluation of human operator's cognitive performance. Plans are goal-directed interaction sequences cognitively simulated before appearing in dynamic human–machine systems. In this context, human operator's actions have long-term effects as well as different consequences depending on the time of their activation. The proposed model allows the evaluation of cognitive task performance by comparing implemented decisions to the available options represented by plans. In this paper, situation operator modeling is applied to describe operator's behavior and the planning process based on the system modeled using colored Petri Nets. The Petri Net is applied for the prediction of future system states. The planning model uses a set of rules that describe the normative behavior of operators as definitions of problems and actions required to avoid these. The rules are derived systematically from the operator's objectives and from the available actions. The proposed method allows the calculation and, therefore, the prediction of future states as well as possible upcoming conflicts within the system. Corresponding rules may modify and, therefore, affect the generated plan. The method is demonstrated using a simplified air traffic control simulation. This method extends earlier methods published by the authors for the determination of available options based on Petri Nets. It can be concluded that the calculation of sequences of actions for interaction with dynamic systems with constant change over time is possible and realized for the first time.