Analysis of human and automated separation assurance at varying traffic levels

ANALYSIS OF HUMAN AND AUTOMATED SEPARATION ASSURANCE AT VARYING TRAFFIC LEVELS by Jeffrey R. Homola As part of the Advanced Airspace Concept, an algorithm for automatically resolving aircraft conflicts has been developed to partially offset air traffic controller workload and provide consistency. This study evaluated the differences in performance between humans resolving conflicts in a manual and interactive mode as well as a fully automated conflict resolution mode. This was done at current day, twice, and three times that level of traffic. Workload impact and acceptability of the algorithm's resolutions were also investigated. Results suggest that the automation provided significant benefits in terms of safety and efficiency particularly at higher levels of traffic. There was also a significant reduction in workload. The resolutions provided by the automation were also rated as being generally acceptable. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to thank Dr. Kevin Jordan for his continual patience and guidance throughout the entire thesis process as my advisor. Special thanks also go to Dr. Thomas Prevot for his inspiration and direction, without which this study would not have been possible. I would also like to thank Dr. Mark Van Selst for his willingness to volunteer his time to serve on this committee following the loss of Dr. Kevin Corker. A heartfelt thank you also goes out to the late Dr. Corker, whose memory will live on in all of the people he has touched. I would also like to thank Todd Callantine, Paul Lee, Joey Mercer, and Quang Dao for all of their help along the way. I must also thank Ev Palmer and Nancy Smith for providing me with the opportunity to work in such a great environment with such great people. A special acknowledgement must also go out to Dr. Heinz Erzberger. Without his vision of an advanced airspace concept, this study would not have been possible. I am eternally indebted to my family for their unconditional love and support throughout my life. Nothing I have ever accomplished could have been possible without the solid foundation that you have provided me. Finally, to my wife and young son, thank you for giving my life a true purpose. You are a true joy and an inspiration for everything that I do.