THE RESEARCH ON THE INFLUENCE OF WORKLOAD ON THE OCCURRENCE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF ATC ERRORS

THE RESEARCH ON THE INFLUENCE OF WORKLOAD ON THE OCCURRENCE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF ATC ERRORS

Samartseva Elena

IAN-519

Samartseva Elena

IAN-519

Aims of the research provisionAims of the research provision

- to investigate the reasons of high workload

- to define the factors that influence the increase of workload the most

- to define the quantitative characteristics of the main reason that cause sharp

increase of workload and activity breakdown

- to define types of errors that can occur due to high workload conditions

- to investigate the reasons of high workload

- to define the factors that influence the increase of workload the most

- to define the quantitative characteristics of the main reason that cause sharp

increase of workload and activity breakdown

- to define types of errors that can occur due to high workload conditions

2

The research procedureThe research procedure

The research was performed by conducting a survey among the group of air traffic

controllers – interns and ATC students.

During the survey there were 20 people interviewed and the results were

represented in the form of statistics on each of the steps of the research.

The point of the research was to gather information regarding the work of an air

traffic controller and workload that he/she might experience during his work, to

provide the obtained results and to make the conclusions about the errors

occurrence caused by high workload in air traffic control.

The research was performed by conducting a survey among the group of air traffic

controllers – interns and ATC students.

During the survey there were 20 people interviewed and the results were

represented in the form of statistics on each of the steps of the research.

The point of the research was to gather information regarding the work of an air

traffic controller and workload that he/she might experience during his work, to

provide the obtained results and to make the conclusions about the errors

occurrence caused by high workload in air traffic control.

3

The 1st step of the researchThe 1st step of the research

During the 1st step of the research the participants were provided with a list of the

most widespread factors that can cause high workload conditions during the shift.

Participants were asked to prioritize all of the reasons from the list putting the

figures from 1 to 10 according to the importance of the influence of each reason

on the workload (1 – the highest priority, 10 – the lowest one).

Participants were also encouraged to make comments and add their own reasons

if necessary.

During the 1st step of the research the participants were provided with a list of the

most widespread factors that can cause high workload conditions during the shift.

Participants were asked to prioritize all of the reasons from the list putting the

figures from 1 to 10 according to the importance of the influence of each reason

on the workload (1 – the highest priority, 10 – the lowest one).

Participants were also encouraged to make comments and add their own reasons

if necessary.

4

1st step results1st step resultsNumbers of participants

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Total Rank

High density of flights

1 1 2 2 3 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 4 1 1 1 33 1

Bad meteorological conditions

2 3 1 4 1 4 1 4 4 3 5 2 5 4 5 2 1 4 3 2 60 2

Lack of necessary information

3 4 4 6 4 7 3 2 6 4 2 4 6 2 7 4 8 3 2 8 89 3

Sector complexity 6 2 6 3 2 6 8 5 2 5 6 3 1 7 4 5 7 8 4 3 93 4

Improper work of equipment

9 6 3 1 6 2 5 1 3 2 7 8 3 5 2 1 9 10 7 5 95 5

Bad cooperation with other

controllers in a shift7 5 9 5 5 10 7 7 5 8 3 9 4 9 3 6 6 5 6 4 123 6

Bad cooperation with adjacent

sectors8 8 5 10 7 5 9 6 9 6 8 5 7 10 8 8 2 6 5 6 138 7

Time-demanding procedures

4 7 10 8 8 9 4 8 7 10 10 6 10 6 6 7 3 2 8 7 140 8

Hard geographical conditions

5 10 7 7 9 3 6 9 8 7 4 7 8 3 9 10 5 7 9 9 142 9

Uncomfortable workplace

10 9 8 9 10 8 10 10 10 9 9 10 9 8 10 9 10 9 10 10 187 105

The 2d step of the researchThe 2d step of the research

During the 2d step of the research the participants were provided with an empty graph where they

had to draw the line of dependence between number of ACFT in their zone and workload. They

were also informed that the highest border of the graph must be considered as the highest

workload – the one at which activity breakdown occurs.

The second task of this step was to point two numbers:

- The number of ACFT in a zone at which, on their opinion, the conditions of high workload appear.

- The number of ACFT in a zone at which the activity breakdown can occurs.

The last task was to depict these two numbers on the graph as a square and a circle

correspondingly

During the 2d step of the research the participants were provided with an empty graph where they

had to draw the line of dependence between number of ACFT in their zone and workload. They

were also informed that the highest border of the graph must be considered as the highest

workload – the one at which activity breakdown occurs.

The second task of this step was to point two numbers:

- The number of ACFT in a zone at which, on their opinion, the conditions of high workload appear.

- The number of ACFT in a zone at which the activity breakdown can occurs.

The last task was to depict these two numbers on the graph as a square and a circle

correspondingly

6

2d step results2d step results

Participant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Average

High workload starts at

7 6 9 8 5 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 8 5 9 6 6 7 7 6 6,8

Activity breakdown can occur at

11 10 12 12 8 10 11 9 10 11 9 10 11 9 13 10 9 11 10 11 10,35

7

Average result of dependence of workload on number of ACFT being simultaneously under controlAverage result of dependence of workload on number of ACFT being simultaneously under control

8

The 3d step of the researchThe 3d step of the research

The last task was to identify which errors are most probable to occur during

high workload conditions.

The participants had to tick off those errors from the list, sorted to the

categories, which, on their opinion, could be caused by high workload.

Participants left empty those errors in the list, which can’t or are very

improbable to occur due to exactly this conditions.

The last task was to identify which errors are most probable to occur during

high workload conditions.

The participants had to tick off those errors from the list, sorted to the

categories, which, on their opinion, could be caused by high workload.

Participants left empty those errors in the list, which can’t or are very

improbable to occur due to exactly this conditions.

9

Equipment handling errorsEquipment handling errors

10

Procedural errors:Procedural errors:

11

Communication errorsCommunication errors

ATC to pilots:

missed calls;

misinterpretations of requests;

incorrect hearback;

wrong clearance, taxiway, gate or runway communicated.

Controller to controller:

miscommunication or misinterpretation within the unit;

miscommunication or misinterpretation during coordination with an external partner.

ATC to pilots:

missed calls;

misinterpretations of requests;

incorrect hearback;

wrong clearance, taxiway, gate or runway communicated.

Controller to controller:

miscommunication or misinterpretation within the unit;

miscommunication or misinterpretation during coordination with an external partner.

12

3d step results3d step resultsErrors Amount of points received

Maximum amount that could be received

% received

Communication errors 93 120 78%

ATC to pilots 70 80 88%

Controller to controller 23 40 58%

Equipment handling errors 106 180 59%

Automation 20 20 100%

Flight progress strips 28 60 47%

Radar usage 11 40 28%

Radio/intercom 47 60 78%

Procedural errors 104 220 47%

Checklists 18 40 45%

Documentation 16 40 40%

Handover at working position 31 60 52%

Information 31 60 52%

Separation minimums 8 20 40%

Total 303 520 58% 13

14

ConclusionsConclusions

Having the research provided we found out such facts:

The main reason considered to influence the workload increase the most is high density of

flights

We have investigated the edge values of the aircraft in a zone for our group of future air traffic

controllers Main errors that occur due to high workload have been found as well as we defined

that the most frequently occurred categories of errors are automation errors (such as input of

wrong data into the system) and communication errors (exactly missed calls)

According to the received information measures can be taken to prevent controllers overload,

such as preventing the excess of number of ACFT in a zone, increasing controllers’ attentiveness

to the most frequent errors, using different methods for eliminating of the reasons of errors

occurrence.

Having the research provided we found out such facts:

The main reason considered to influence the workload increase the most is high density of

flights

We have investigated the edge values of the aircraft in a zone for our group of future air traffic

controllers Main errors that occur due to high workload have been found as well as we defined

that the most frequently occurred categories of errors are automation errors (such as input of

wrong data into the system) and communication errors (exactly missed calls)

According to the received information measures can be taken to prevent controllers overload,

such as preventing the excess of number of ACFT in a zone, increasing controllers’ attentiveness

to the most frequent errors, using different methods for eliminating of the reasons of errors

occurrence. 15