Automation and Cognition in Air Traffic Control: An Empirical Investigation
Abstract
Several investigators have expressed concern that the imminent automation of air traffic control may have negative consequences on cognitive functioning, and ultimately on performance. We investigated these possibilities empirically by comparing normal, conventional air traffic control with an experimental condition designed to resemble an extreme version of automation. Overall, measures of performance were comparable between conditions. Most of the cognitive measures (attentional demands, visual search, recall of flights, recall of flight data) were not impaired by the automation analog. Instead, two prospective measures (prospective memory, planning) showed improved performance. The prospective memory advantage is particularly surprising given that the automation-analog group was unable to manipulate external memory aids. Possible reasons for the prospective memory advantage include a reduced workload which allows the controller to get the necessary information in other ways, and a change in the nature of the task resulting from the automation of the strip management module. Automation, Air traffic control, Flight progress data, Cognitive psychology, Memory, Applied psychology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA277057
Entities
People
- Carol A. Manning
- Dana K. Fuller
- Mark B. Edwards
- O. U. Vortac
Organizations
- University of Oklahoma