Usability Considerations for a Tower Controller Near-Eye Augmented Reality Display

Abstract

Although the primary means by which air traffic controllers in airport towers obtain information is by direct head-up, out-the-window (OTW) viewing, they spend a considerable amount of head-down time looking at flight strips, panel-mounted displays, and other information sources in the tower. The U.S. Air Force sponsored the development of a prototype Near-Eye Augmented Reality (NE/AR) display to enhance tower controller performance and situation awareness. The display overlays situation-relevant text (e.g., aircraft call sign) and graphic images (e.g., runway outline), on real-time, head-tracked video imagery. Throughout the development process, we performed usability engineering and assessments using 1) user/task observation, 2) physical mockups, 3) interactive reviews, and 4) early prototype evaluation. In this paper we describe our usability efforts, and discuss usability considerations and human performance issues affecting the functionality and acceptance of a tower controller NE/AR display.