Decision making in air traffic control units and team performance in emergency scenarios

Abstract

Objectives: The Air Traffic Management (ATM) is the cornerstone of the air transportation system. Constant increases in the air traffic exert pressures in the Air Traffic Control (ATC), which is centrepiece of the ATM system. The Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) as the sharp end of the ATC balance incompatible goals with the aim of keeping the system operating inside the boundaries of safe operation. Quite frequently external and/or internal disturbances in the form of emergencies and abnormal situations challenge the stability of the ATC system and drive it towards the boundaries of safe operation. Emergencies and unusual occurrences represent critical situations close to the margins of safe operation that challenges controller operational practices and supervisory systems. Controllers intervene to minimize or where possible eliminate the consequences of destabilizing disturbances. During the handling of these situations the decision making processes of the Controllers emerge as one of the most significant element of the compensating mechanisms of the ATC system. Therefore, a critical need exists as to examine the decision-making performance of the Controllers during emergencies and abnormal situations. Background: Extensive relevant research has been conducted in other safety critical organizations including nuclear power plant, offshore oil platforms, aviation, military and health organizations. However, the research in the ATC system was focused in human error taxonomies. Research in decision making during emergencies is scarce especially in respect to team decision making. Methods: Two main research methods were used during this study. Firstly, field studies in the form of observation of simulator training in emergency and unusual scenarios of Ab-Initio and experienced operational Controllers and secondly, the use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method in both exploratory and confirmatory role. Results: A prototype Team Decision Making (TDM) performance metrics for emergency and abnormal ATC scenarios based on cognitive strategies associated mainly with Non Technical Skills (NTS) employed by the Controllers was developed and tested in field studies in the Institute of Air Navigation Services (IANS) and Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUACC). The main elements of the TDM metrics were a decision-making model and teamwork model. Using Principal Component Analysis both models were tested for their construct validity and the results were promising. Applications: Potential applications include the development of an advanced safety training based on the TDM metrics and especially the decision-making and the teamwork model.