Air Traffic Control Tower Research Articles

Creation of a novel microburst alarm for Air Traffic Control using a signal design framework

In this study, we used a previously validated alarm design framework to design and test a new microburst alarm for air traffic controllers. MethodsTwo air traffic controllers participated in a detailed structured interview, describing aspects of the current alarm that worked well and identifying features that should be changed. They then chose the properties most important to the design of this specific alarm. This information was used to develop a prototype microburst alarm while making iterative changes. A short interview asking about those properties was then conducted with sixty-two controllers at a national conference. ResultsWe developed an effective microburst alarm using the Signal Design Framework. Informativeness, Distinguishability, Saliency, Disruptiveness, Exclusivity, and Recognizability were improved by adding an electronically accelerated verbal component (‘Microburst!’) to the beginning and midway through the alert. The tonal component, volume, and timing of the prototype alarm were similar to that of the original alarm. During the alarm testing phase, most controllers agreed that the prototype would work well in both Air Traffic Control Tower and TRACON environments. Controllers agreed that incorporating an audible ‘Microburst!’ helped to direct their attention to the source of the alarm, especially in facilities where this alarm is uncommon. Controllers also spoke favorably of the length, pitch, oscillation, and timbre of the auditory component. ConclusionsWe used a validated framework to develop a new alarm that would work well for controllers in their environment. The framework facilitated design, iterative testing, and large-scale evaluation.

Peak Velocity Pressure of Air Traffic Control Towers: A Comparative Study

The aim of the study was to compare the structural resistance of air traffic control towers (ATCTs) in Europe over 100 feet (30.48 meters) in height by determining their peak velocity pressure. A comprehensive examination was conducted on the ATCTs of 64 airports across Europe, with a reference to the EN-1991-1-4 criteria. The findings revealed notable differences in wind speeds and peak velocity pressure values experienced by ATCTs located in diverse geographical regions of Europe. The Athens Airport ATCT recorded the highest peak velocity pressure at 2.52 kN/m², while the lowest value was recorded at Zagreb Airport ATCT at 0.89 kN/m². These differences play a crucial role in determining the structural resistance of ATCTs. ATCTs exposed to high peak velocity pressures should use stronger materials and incorporate aerodynamic designs. Considering the significant influence of geographical location on wind loads, these results provide important insights into the safety of existing and future ATCTs. It is recommended that these findings be extended by investigating ATCTs in different geographical regions and that structural design strategies against wind loads be more thoroughly investigated in future studies.

Optical and Structural Developments in Air Traffic Control Tower Glazing

With about 4,500 medium and large airports around the world, Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT) are essential elements of our transport infrastructure. Safely orchestrating air traffic requires a perfect visibility of aircraft in all weather and lighting conditions. Aviation being a conservative field, towers are built or renovated using decades-old technologies, with disappointing results. Design parameters can be grouped in five categories: structural, blemishes, insulation, photometric and optical. Transcending country borders and traditions, we will detail each of these groups and explain the newest technical solutions available. This paper can be used as a checklist or design guide if you need to conceive an ATCT or other structures, such as an indoor observation deck or high-end retail storefront, where vision is paramount. Special attention will be given to visual distortion in transmission, haze, anisotropy, double image, reflection management, electrochromic, and glass-to-glass connections.

Remote air traffic control towers: An application in Portugal

Purpose: Remote control towers are the latest evolution in air traffic control at the airport level. These towers replace traditional air traffic control towers, moving the airport's air traffic controllers to a remote location called a remote control center. This concept was introduced with the main aim of combating the shortage of air traffic controllers, as well as making it possible to provide several airports with control that, until then, they did not have or were at risk of losing, because of the costs associated with this service. This makes it important to study this solution in Portugal, as there are many airdromes where having runway control may not be economically viable. The study will focus on a project by NAV Portugal, which is about to implement this solution on some islands in the Azores archipelago.Design/methodology/approach: Having identified the number of movements per month at a few chosen airports, the operational viability was studied according to the number of movements per hour to ensure that several restrictions were met.Findings: Even including the region's main airport, from the point of view of analyzing the number of movements, the installation of a remote control tower is feasible. There is also a substantial economic gain from this new solution, both in terms of implementation and operations.Originality/value: Remote control towers are a new air traffic control solution, making it possible to extend this service to countless airdromes that may be in the process of losing this service for economic reasons, or no longer are controlled by an air traffic controller.

The operator and the seven small modular reactors — An estimate of the number of reactors that a single reactor operator can safely operate

The promise of reasonable costs, shorter construction times, and rapid deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) is generating strong interest around the world. Research is being conducted in many areas to evaluate safety, reliability, and economics to keep capital costs low. Capital costs of new reactors have received much attention in the past. However, operating costs seem to have received less attention than they deserve. SMRs seek economies of scale from a large number of units deployed, raising many questions about how to operate multiple units with safety and economics comparable to (or better than) large units. The parallels between aviation and nuclear operations have been used in the past to benefit from each other’s experience and practices. In this paper, air traffic control and remote tower control workload studies are adapted to evaluate the number of reactors that can be safely operated by a single reactor operator under all reasonably assumed combinations of conditions. The conclusion of this paper is that the number of reactors that can be safely operated by a single operator is in the single digits and decreases with the level of attention required by plant conditions.

System for Tracking Aircraft Ground Movement Utilizing Artificial Intelligence

Using a virtual ATC tower is one aspect of the airport digitization initiative, which aims to cut costs. Technology for tracking and detecting aircraft is required to guarantee the security of the deployment of virtual ATC towers. The invention of visual artificial intelligence that can recognize and follow aircraft ground movement in an airport is presented in this study. One feature that should be developed in this study is the capacity to issue a warning if two aircraft are in close proximity to one another. The techniques consist of a coordinate system conversion from pixels to meters for aircraft separation computation, the Deep SORT object tracking algorithm, and the YOLOv4 object recognition algorithm that has been trained using Image Dehazing Filter. Next, a fair-condition recorded airport video is used to validate the model. With a mean average precision score of 95.92%, the trained YOLOv4 model was able to track every aircraft in the video, and with an error of 5.09%, the aircraft separation warning system functioned as expected. An airport’s possible use of an aircraft ground movement tracker was demonstrated by the constructed model.

TOWARD A HUMAN SYSTEMS INTEGRATION APPROACH TO THE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF A REMOTE AND VIRTUAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER

AbstractRemote and virtual centers have been studied for the past twenty years as an alternative to the traditional air traffic control tower environment. Designing such complex sociotechnical systems requires a systems engineering approach that appropriately integrates the human element as well as the technological and organizational components. In this paper, we identify the challenges of implementing this human-systems integration in the design of complex systems. We present the feedback we obtained from a series of semi-structured interviews with people involved in the development of military air traffic solutions. The participants' responses helped us establish methodological guidelines for designing and building a disruptive remote and virtual air traffic control center. We discuss how virtualized human- in-the-loop simulations in particular should help designers analyze user activity and be more flexible in system acquisition.

Innovations and challenges in design and construction of underground Mumbai Metro Line 3 – Lot UG‐04 and UG‐06

AbstractIndia is well on its way to create a world‐class Mass Rapid Transport system environment as an integral part of community infrastructure development. Mumbai Metro Line 3 is one such project being constructed in Mumbai city. It comprises 33.5 km‐long underground metro corridor running along Colaba to Bandra to Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone. It includes 27 stations (26 underground and 1 at grade), depot and associated twin‐tube tunnel. Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., an affiliate organisation of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, is responsible for the implementation of the project. Excavation and tunnelling works posed significant challenges as they cross densely inhabited zones of Mumbai. There were several buildings which were old and in delicate condition, many of which were heritage structures. In Mumbai – being a coastal city – the water table is almost at ground level which added to complications. There were several utilities, many of which were lifeline utilities, which could not be diverted or even closed, thus requiring support during excavation. Likewise, ensuring traffic movement with minimal disruptions with enormous excavation works for the project required several innovative solutions. Other criticalities included low overburden to the existing flyovers and to the air traffic control tower as well as saving a 100 year‐old banyan tree.

Studi Revitalisasi Fasilitas Ruang Tunggu Terminal Penumpang Domestik Bandar Udara Internasional El Tari Kupang Pasca Badai Seroja


 Facilities at the airport are divided into two main parts consisting of the land side and the air side. Existing facilities on the land side consist of: passenger terminal, cargo terminal, operational building, air traffic control tower or Air Traffic Control (ATC), SAR (Search and Rescue) building, meteorological building, main/VIP class building, entrance , fueling building, as well as administrative and office buildings. While the facilities on the air side consist of: runways, taxiways, aircraft parking areas, runway strips or runway end safety areas, as well as aviation accident rescue and fire fighting facilities. This research uses a type of qualitative research and descriptive research type. The purpose of the authors using qualitative research is to describe and reveal the facts and symptoms contained in the research problem, namely to analyze and describe the revitalization of the waiting room for the domestic passenger terminal at El Tari Kupang International Airport.The strategy for repairing damaged and unfit for use due to the Seroja storm has been realized and the damaged and unfit for use facilities have received proper and prompt treatment due to good coordination and cooperation between operating units and related units that were damaged. In addition, efforts to maintain. The quality of facilities is an important thing to prioritize because it has a high level of importance, but in practice there are still many complaints from service users who feel unsatisfied regarding the quality of the facilities available at El Tari Kupang International Airport, especially in the waiting room.
 Keywords: Security,Waiting Room, and Comfortness

Air traffic control work system design to improve operator performance with workload approach and safety concept

ATC (Air Traffic Control) is considered one of the most demanding jobs. This profession is considered a job with high mental workload due to its high-stress level and great responsibility. This study designed a suitable work system to improve operator performance by measuring the mental workload and the physical environment using the NASA-TLX method and safety concept by considering variables affecting the operator’s perfor­mance. This study also searched for the impact of mental workload on the work environment, the mental workload on performance, and the work environment on performance. Questionnaires were distributed to operators, and validation and verification tests were carried out using SPSS. At the PLS method's processing stage, the variables used in this study consisted of the dependent (Y) and independent (X) variables. The dependent variables in this study were performance and the physical environment of work of the operator. Meanwhile, the independent variable was mental workload. Based on the mental load calculation, an average WWL (weighted workload) score of 80 to 90 was obtained, and the factors affecting mental workload are performance aspects and mental demand. Based on the results of structural modelling with the PLS method, there was a significant influence between mental workload on the work environment, the mental workload on perfor­mance and the work environment on operator performance. The proposed work system design used an ergonomic approach, safety and regulation of Ministry of Health to get an ergonomic work system, regulate the equal distribution of workloads, create a safe and comfortable working environ­ment, and improve operator performance. The design focused on the ATC tower's workstations and work environments. Supervisor has accepted the design.

Effect of Structural Shape on Seismic Response of Air Traffic Control Tower

Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT) is one of the obligatory infrastructures for the airport to control the takeoff and landing of airplanes. The primary purpose of ATCT is to prevent collisions and shape the flow of air traffic. Due to a lack of adequate information about the seismic analysis, the performance of ATCT is generally considered to be the same as that of normal structures. However, the performance and demands of ATC towers differ significantly from common structures. In the present study, the analysis of ATCT for different structural shapes (viz., Hexagonal, Octagonal, Pentagonal, Square) with a height of 55m has been investigated. The structural performance of these models has been studied by different time history analysis using commercial software ETABs. The results exhibited that the performance of octagonal and hexagonal configurations was effectively better for seismic loads as compared to the pentagonal and square configuration in respect of story displacement, story drifts, story shear, and time periods. The seismic analysis also shows that the octagonal shape attracted larger base shear than pentagonal, hexagonal, and square shaped ATCT. However, due to more lateral resisting capacity, the drifts and displacements are found to be least.

Learning in the air traffic control tower: Stretching co-presence through interdependent sentience

This paper examines the learning and performance of the air traffic control (ATC) work domain. This domain was chosen because it embodies features that represent future work for many other industries (e.g., information service provision mediated by information technologies; a high reliance on communication skills and collaborative work; increasing complexity and intensity of the work activity), within an organisational context undergoing considerable change. In ATC work learning occurs formally as part of accredited training and informally, as part of everyday practice. In this way learning and experience of ATC work shapes – and is shaped by – the way work is organised, which includes the divisions of labour and technological artefacts. ATC work is experienced temporally, complexly, through affect and socially. Controllers learn to use a variety of socio-material resources which include embodiment and artefacts to undertake the work. In so doing the article demonstrates the ways in which learning and performance is not just a cognitive undertaking, but one that draws on embodiment to achieve what here is called “interdependent sentience”. This involves using all their senses to gain an awareness of problems as they emerge to collectively accomplish a seamless air traffic flow in a complex interdependent socio-technical system.

An Evaluation of Augmented Reality Function to Reduce the Wide-Area Surveillance Workload for Remote Air Traffic Control Tower Operations

An Evaluation of Augmented Reality Function to Reduce the Wide-Area Surveillance Workload for Remote Air Traffic Control Tower Operations

Busy and confused? High risk of missed alerts in the cockpit: An electrophysiological study

The ability to react to unexpected auditory stimuli is critical in complex settings such as aircraft cockpits or air traffic control towers, characterized by high mental load and highly complex auditory environments (i.e., many different auditory alerts). Evidence shows that both factors can negatively impact auditory attention and prevent appropriate reactions. In the present study, 60 participants performed a simulated aviation task varying in terms of mental load (no, low, high) concurrently to a tone detection paradigm in which the complexity of the auditory environment (i.e., auditory load) was manipulated (1, 2 or 3 different tones). We measured both detection performance (miss, false alarm, d’) and brain activity (event-related potentials) associated with the target tone. Our results showed that both mental and auditory loads affected target tone detection performance. Importantly, their combined effects had a large impact on the percentage of missed target tones. While, in the no mental load condition, miss rate was very low with 1 (0.53%) and 2 tones (1.11%), it increased drastically with 3 tones (24.44%), and this effect was accentuated as mental load increased, yielding to the higher miss rate in the 3-tone paradigm under high mental load conditions (68.64%). Increased mental and auditory loads and miss rates were associated with disrupted brain responses to the target tone, as shown by a reduced P3b amplitude. In sum, our results highlight the importance of balancing mental and auditory loads to maintain efficient reactions to alarms in complex working environment.

Effect of Structural Shape on Seismic Response of Air Traffic Control Tower

Abstract: Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT) is one of the obligatory infrastructures for the airport to control the takeoff and landing of airplanes. The primary purpose of ATCT is to prevent collisions and shape the flow of air traffic. Due to a lack of adequate information about the seismic analysis, the performance of ATCT is generally considered to be the same as that of normal structures. However, the performance and demands of ATC towers differ significantly from common structures. In the present study, the analysis of ATCT for different structural shapes (viz., Hexagonal, Octagonal, Pentagonal, Square) with a height of 55m has been investigated. The structural performance of these models has been studied by different time history analysis using commercial software ETABs. The results exhibited that the performance of octagonal and hexagonal configurations was effectively better for seismic loads as compared to the pentagonal and square configuration in respect of story displacement, story drifts, story shear, and time periods. The seismic analysis also shows that the octagonal shape attracted larger base shear than pentagonal, hexagonal, and square shaped ATCT. However, due to more lateral resisting capacity, the drifts and displacements are found to be least. Keywords: Air Traffic Control Tower, Structural shape, Structural configurations, Time history Analysis

A Review- Risk Assessment of Runway Overrun Incursion

Aviation crashes all over the world have recently been on the high rise, stemming from negligence, mechanical faults, weather, ground control errors, pilot errors, taxing and maintenance crew errors as are probable reasons for such accidents. This case study models the probabilistic risk assessment of runway incursion data endeavored to determine the correlation in between the reported incursions that occurred at Nagpur airport between fiscal years 2005 and 2015 and the meteorological conditions, times of day, and presence of an air traffic control tower of Nagpur Airport. With runway incursions long-plaguing the safety of aviators, their passengers, and aviation refining the body of knowledge underpinning incursions coupled with ongoing prevention efforts aspire to diminish the annual incidence of incursions, increase safety, and save lives. In accordance with this mission, mining the Civil Organization (ICAO), and Federal Aviation Association (FAA) runway incursion databases and analyzing the resulting hours, and at airport with an air traffic control tower.

That's how it should work: the perceptions of a senior management on the value of decentralisation in a service delivery organisation

PurposeDecentralisation in health care has been proposed as a way to make services more responsive to local needs and by that improve patient care. This study analyses how the senior management team conceptualised and implemented a decentralised management model within a large public health care delivery organisation.Design/methodology/approachData from in-depth interviews with a senior management team were used in a directed content analysis. Underlying assumptions and activities in the decentralisation process are presented in the logic model and scrutinised in an a priori logic analysis using relevant scientific literature.FindingsThe study found support in the scientific literature for the underlying assumptions that increased responsibility will empower managers as clinical directors know their local prerequisites best and are able to adapt to patient needs. Top management should function like an air traffic control tower, trust and loyalty improve managerial capacity, increased managerial skills release creativity and engagement and a system perspective will support collaboration and learning.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge this is the first a priori logic analysis of a decentralised management model in a healthcare delivery organisation in primary and community care. It shows that the activities consist with underlying assumptions, supported by evidence, and timely planned give managers decision space and ability to use their delegated authority, not disregarding accountability and fostering necessary organisational and individual capacities to avoid suboptimisation.

Application of Full Factorial Design Method for Optimization of Heavy Metal Release from Lead Smelting Slag

Lead-acid batteries are commonly used as power sources for critical operations in the world. They find application in air-traffic control towers, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), railroad crossings, military installations, hospitals, and weapons systems. Lead-acid batteries are also known as automotive batteries and industrial batteries. Lead-acid batteries consist of large amounts of lead, sulphuric acid, and plastics. The acid is tremendously irritant and a carrier for soluble information. The lead must control because of a range of adverse health effects. Thus, a collectible system that is easily accessible for waste batteries is needed. In this paper, a sustainable model is proposed for the leaching of lead-acid battery slag. The aim is to optimize the leaching of lead-acid batteries slag with natural materials. The leaching characteristic of the lead smelting slag produced using sepiolite and illite. A 23 full factorial design model is used to investigate the combination of the effect of variable factors.

A Simulation Platform for Airport Runway Collision Warning System

The increasing passenger throughput makes the large-scale aviation hub being unable to bear the burden gradually. Flight delays caused by cannot fly through the ATC tower in time are becoming more and more common, which makes airlines have to face the problem of passenger loss. Meanwhile, runway intrusion incidents caused by the high load operation of the airport also occur frequently. Once there is a collision, airlines will suffer huge economic losses. In order to avoid runway intrusion, improve air transport efficiency and reduce airline losses, runway collision avoidance system emerges as the times require. Based on the real airport map geographic coordinate data, this paper draws the airport dynamic map in the on-board moving map for the pilot, defines several kinds of runway intrusion scenarios, and introduces 3D real-time visual display into the platform in order to build a complete set of simulation verification platform for airport runway collision avoidance system. The research results of this paper can be used to verify the optimization algorithm of runway collision avoidance system and the test of airport dynamic map in the future, which is of great significance to improve the traffic condition of large airports in the future.

Efficiency-Thoroughness Trade-Off Characteristics of Air Traffic Controllers During Tower Operations

Air traffic demand has been growing for years and many countries are trying to solve this situation by modernizing their national airspace through advanced automation. Those projects aim to provide a greater level of efficiency while ensuring a safe flow of air traffic. However, human air traffic controllers have been coping with difficult situations and unexpected events by flexibly balancing efficiency and thoroughness throughout their operations. In this study, we conducted an experiment using a simulator depicting air traffic control tower operations and analyzed the trade-off decisions made by humans under varying situations. By doing so, we proposed a model with the aim of applying the results to future air traffic management systems. This could allow those autonomous systems to make decisions that are similar to those of human preferences, which could lead to a proactive management of safety and a higher level of automation acceptance.