NTL Record

Title A simulation study of the effects of communication delay on air traffic control
Record ID 33622
Personal Name
Creator
Nadler, Eric; Disario, Robert; Mengert, Peter; Sussman, E. D.; Spanier, G.
Source 160p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration
Publication Date 19900900
Language English
Abstract This study was conducted to examine the impacts of voice communications delays characteristic of Voice Switching and Control System (VSCS) and satellite communications systems on air traffic system performance, controller stress and workload, and communications disruptions. To accomplish this a simulation was developed and performed at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Center. The simulation used scenarios constructed from records of live air traffic at five adjacent Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) sectors. Nine full performance level air traffic control specialists from the Atlanta ARTCC sectors simulated participated as subjects. Four delay levels were employed corresponding to: current equipment with and without satellite link, and VSCS with and without satellite. Three levels of communications workload were used based on 70 percent, 90 percent, and 110 percent of reference values for the actual sectors. VSCS delays were not found to have any statistically significant impact on any measure. Satellite delays were found to be associated with a statistically significant increase in one kind of communication disruption (step-ons) at the highest level of communications workload used in the study.
Rosap ID dot:8698
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8698
TRT Terms Air traffic control; Simulation; Digital communication systems
General Subjects Air Traffic Control; Telecommunications; ATC Simulation; Communication Delay
Classification NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors;
NTL - AVIATION - AVIATION;
NTL - AVIATION - Air Traffic Control;
NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness
Geographical
Coverage
United States
TRIS Online
Accession No
1207444
Contract Number FA024/A0193
Report Number DOT-TSC-FAA-90-5; DOT-TSC-FAA/CT-90/6
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/33000/33600/33622/33622.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository