Training operational monitoring in future ATCOs using eye tracking: extended abstract

Abstract

Improved technological possibilities continue to increase the significance of operational monitoring in air traffic control (ATC). The role of the air traffic controller (ATCO) will change in that they will have to monitor the operations of an automated system for failures. In order to take over control when automation fails, future ATCOs will need to be trained. While current ATC training is mainly based on performance indicators, this study will focus on the benefit of using eye tracking in future ATC training. Utilizing a low-fidelity operational monitoring task, a model of how attention should be allocated in case of malfunction will be derived. Based on this model, one group of ATC novices will receive training on how to allocate their attention appropriately (treatment). The other group will receive no training (control). Eye movements will be recorded to investigate how attention is allocated and if the training is successful. Performance measures will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.