A Comparison of Visualization and Command-Based Decision Aiding in a Simulated Aircraft Departure Sequencing Task

Abstract

Three versions of a prototype ground controller interface were tested for their effect on aircraft departure sequencing in a simulation of Dallas/Forth-Worth International Airport. Two versions featured automated decision aids and a third served as a baseline with no decision aid. The two decision aids performed fundamentally different functions, with a Temporal Constraint Visualization (TCV) providing a visualization of spatiotemporal constraints on the departure sequence and a Timeline display providing release sequences derived by an optimization algorithm. Results indicate that participants in the TCV condition had more efficient departure sequences than the Baseline and Timeline conditions. No significant differences were found between conditions for timeliness of departures or handling of arrival aircraft. These results indicate that, through the use of appropriate decision aids, task performance in complex dynamic environments can be improved with humans retaining full decision making control. Additional research is warranted to investigate situation awareness and failure mode performance using these decision aid types.