A study was conducted to compare the performance of air traffic controllers using 2D versus 3D displays. The study involved two certified controllers and two pilots in six experiments. Issues found with 3D displays included them being more costly and time-consuming for controllers. Controllers tended to allow more distance between aircraft in 3D displays. No significant differences were found in traffic flow management measures between the displays. The results did not strongly support advantages of 3D displays. It was concluded that further training may be needed for controllers to adjust to 3D displays, and a gradual implementation process could help with this transition.
3. Intro: Current ATC system Consist of 2D displays Have been in use since the start of radar in ATC Research is currently underway for future 3D display systems However…more detailed and complete research is needed
4. Case study: Display integration of Air Traffic Control: 3D displays and proximity compatibility
5. Case study: Experiment consisted of 2 Certified Professional Controllers and 2 pilots Six different experiments testing if there is an advantage of 3D vs. 2D displays
6. HF Issues discovered: 3D displays cost too much Controllers tended to give more distance from obstructions in 3D displays. Simulated weather was avoided with more distance than 2D display More cautious 3D was found to be more time consuming when it came to detecting unexpected heading changes “If one were to collectively aggregate all of the main effects, on the various dependent variables, across the various experiments, one would find that the substantial majority show no difference. Those variables that do tend to show differences in favor of the 2D display tend to be those that are measured in time, rather than accuracy,” “In the traffic management task, there were no differences between displays in measures of efficiency of flow management.”
7. HF Issues discovered: Subjects were very use to 2D (planar) displays and not use to 3D (perspective) displays which resulted in a bias “Hence, some combination of positive transfer (to the planar display) and negative transfer (to the perspective display) experienced by the controllers, was responsible for the subject-display interaction that was observed. The results appear to have some implications for the selection of subjects for future research on radically different ATC display design philosophies. They also suggest that where such changes are introduced into actual system operation, they should be done gradually and gracefully.”
8. HF Issues discovered: “In conclusion, the collective results of our research program do not offer support for advantages of 3D displays for ATC. At the same time, they do not provide strong evidence for their costs.” “If one were to collectively aggregate all of the main effects, on the various dependent variables, across the various experiments, one would find that the substantial majority show no difference. Those variables that do tend to show differences in favor of the 2D display tend to be those that are measured in time, rather than accuracy,”
9. HF Solutions Cost: 3D displays cost too much now, but perhaps in the future (+10-20yrs) it will be common and thus cheaper when 3D displays are regularly used. 3D was found to be more time consuming when it came to detecting unexpected heading changes Have cues that tell the controller when an aircraft deviates, so controller can quickly compensate without wasting time. Flashing symbol, alerts, voice prompting, etc…
10. HF Solutions Subjects were very use to 2D (planar) displays and not use to 3D (perspective) displays which resulted in a bias. Have training programs implemented when 3D systems/displays go online. Have all controllers attend classes on the new system and run simulations regularly, so that it becomes natural to them. Slowly implement 3D displays to ATC facilities. Perhaps having the Supervisor be the only one with the display so he/she can monitor with more insight and accuracy. “Old school” controllers will probably resist the technology but this happened when radar was introduced.
12. References: Display Integration of Air Traffic Control Information: 3D Displays and Proximity Compatibility, Aviation Research Laboratory.www.humanfactors.uiuc.edu/Reports&PapersPDFs/.../95-2.pdf http://www.hitl.washington.edu/artoolkit/ www.impactlab.com/.../01/evolution-white.jpg
