The Impact of Time Efficacy on Air Traffic Controller Situation Awareness and Mental Workload

Abstract

Time efficacy reflects people's perception of control time and evaluation of time management behaviors, and potentially influences situation awareness (SA) and mental workload experienced by air traffic controllers. In this study, a total of 31 air traffic controller trainees, assigned to a high or low time efficacy group, completed 2 scenarios with few or many aircraft simultaneously in the sector. The results showed that the high time efficacy group maintained better SA and experienced lower mental workload. The findings have implications for the selection, training, and work shift arrangements of air traffic controllers.