The Impact of Spatial Ability on Air Traffic Controller Situation Awareness and Mental Workload

Abstract

Two radar control simulation scenarios were created to examine the effect of spatial ability on air traffic controller situation awareness. 51 air traffic control trainees participated in the study. The result showed subjects with better spatial ability could perceive, understand, and predict events in situation faster. It suggested spatial ability is helpful for the air traffic controller to acquire and maintain better situation awareness. Aircraft count in the sector also had impacts on the subjects’ mental workload, performance, and perception of events in the situation. However, the results did not support the hypothesis that spatial ability had an effect on the subjects’ performances. These findings are helpful to understand individual difference in air traffic controller situation awareness. Moreover, they can be applied to screening, training of air traffic controller.