Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

City

Dayton

Abstract

Air traffic controllers are often required to simultaneously communicate with several aircraft over multiple radio frequencies. As a result, during peak loading, it is common for the controller to receive multiple concurrent communications, each from a different aircraft, making it difficult to discern all necessary auditory communications. To address this problem, a modified air traffic control (ATC) interface was prototyped with the goal of increasing controller-to-pilot communication efficiency. This prototype involved an automated text to speech system which displayed supplementary text in an on-screen text box, echoing aircraft transmissions in the event of an indiscernible radio call. The prototype was then evaluated by a group of 35 participants, all with ATC experience at the Air Force controller’s school house Keesler AFB, MS. Results of the study indicated text cueing may be useful for improving controller comprehension of pilots’ transmissions.


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