3D Visualization and 3D and Voice Interaction in Air Traffic Management

This paper describes the implementation of a 3D VR system for real time visual representation and manipulation of data in air traffic management and control. The system has been designed and implemented in collaboration with experts in the Eurocontrol Centre for research and development in air traffic control and is currently undergoing evaluation by air traffic control staff. The system will enable us to determine what benefit, in terms of enhanced understanding and clarity of perception, such 3D displays, combined with enhanced information presentation, can provide to the controller. It is hoped that improvements in this area will permit more efficient and safe management of more aircraft over a wider airspace. Interaction schemes have initially been centred around the use of 3D interactors such as a 3D pointer but we have recently implemented a scheme for voice recognition which allows the user access to a much wider range of commands and actions without recourse to a static keyboard or complex button combinations. The exploitation of carefully selected voice controls frees the user to work within the VR environment using little or no hand-based interaction. We intend to continue development of this system and expect that it will form an evaluation test bed for a wide range of new VR, 3D and other interaction technologies within this application area in the future. CR Categories: I3.7 [Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism]: Virtual Reality, J7 [Computer in Other Systems]: Command and control,