The automation design advisor tool (ADAT): Development and validation of a model‐based tool to support flight deck automation design for nextgen operations

Abstract

NextGen aviation will require an even greater reliance on automation than current-day operations. Therefore, systems with problems in human-automation interaction must be identified and resolved early, well before they are introduced into operation. This paper describes a research and software development effort to build a prototype automation design advisor tool (ADAT) for flight deck automation. This tool uses models of human performance to identify perceptual, cognitive, and action-related inefficiencies in the design of flight management systems. Aviation designers can use the tool to evaluate and compare potential flight deck automation designs and to identify potential human-automation interaction concerns. Designers can compare different flight management systems in terms of specific features and their ability to support pilot performance. ADAT provides specific, research-based guidance for resolving problematic design issues. It was specifically designed to be flexible enough for both current-day technologies and revolutionary NextGen designs. C 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Implementing Lumberjacks and Black Swans Into Model-Based Tools to Support Human–Automation Interaction

“…The flight management system (FMS) is a complex, yet highly useful, automated aviation system (Ferris, Wickens, & Sarter, 2010;Sebok et al, 2012) that helps pilots plan and execute flight paths to maximize efficiency while maintaining safe performance (Degani, 2004;Pritchett, 2009). The FMS has been on flight decks since the 1970s, providing a wealth of lessons learned regarding the challenges it presents to pilots.…”

“…ADAT was developed to help FMS designers identify potential design concerns that might be expected to impair pilot performance by using the software tool to replicate the layout of the FMS design and then characterize the user interactions. Figure 3 shows a screenshot of the tool (Sebok et al, 2012), where the user re-creates the layout of the FMS components on the flight deck. Specifically, ADAT evaluates six aspects of FMS design in six modules, each based upon computational models (metrics) of factors influencing human performance: (a) layout of the displays and controls, (b) noticeability of changes, (c) meaningfulness of terms, (d) confusability of terms and symbols, (e) complexity of modes, and (f) procedures performed when using the FMS.…”

“…These six modules were selected through iterative discussions with subject matter experts (pilots, avionics designers, pilot trainers, and airline procedure writers) to identify critical FMS design issues. The current paper focuses on the two most relevant modules (noticing changes and complexity; see Sebok et al, 2012, for a more detailed discussion of other modules). Note that these modules are tabs shown at the top of the screenshot in Figure 3.…”

Multitasking in the military: Cognitive consequences and potential solutions

“…The overloaded work environments of pilots may lead them to occasionally forget to perform critical tasks, particularly when experiencing frequent task switching or interruption (Dismukes, ). Automated systems can help in this regard, such as the use of autopilot systems that can control some aspects of flight to decrease the pilot's workload (Sebok et al, ). When tasks cannot be automated, auditory alarms are a potential solution.…”

Path Planning for Aircraft Fleet Launching on the Flight Deck of Carriers

“…To ensure the safety of launching, the aircraft must reach the assigned catapults one by one. If two aircraft prepare to launch from the same catapult successively, the latter is prohibited from starting until the former finishes launching to avoid crowdedness or collisions [17]. We define t start (A j i (p, q)) and t end (A j i (p, q)) as the start and end time of launching from A i to C j respectively, where p is the serial number of aircraft launching at C j ; q is the serial number of aircraft in the launching fleet, and they meet 1 ≤ p ≤ q ≤ N. The constraint is denoted as follows:…”