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The role of human in ATM automation: a key issue

Alain Printemps head of DNA/CENA

The role of human in ATM automation: a key issue

Alain Printemps head of DNA/CENA

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Automating ATM processes Automating ATM processes

Complete automation is not anticipated. Complete automation is not anticipated. The controller is there, so we should:The controller is there, so we should:

take the best of human and machine capabilitiestake the best of human and machine capabilities provide a working environment that should beprovide a working environment that should be

fault tolerant, reliable, flexible and efficient fault tolerant, reliable, flexible and efficient providing a clear sharing of role of each actorproviding a clear sharing of role of each actor

This constitutes in ATM 2000+ the This constitutes in ATM 2000+ the “human centered approach”“human centered approach”

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The human centred approachThe human centred approach

Man betterMan better strategystrategy flexibility / adaptabilityflexibility / adaptability creativitycreativity global view / good senseglobal view / good sense

Machine betterMachine better stressstress limited resourceslimited resources errors / vigilanceerrors / vigilance real time computationreal time computation

Some recommendations (Dr. Erzberger, NASA)Some recommendations (Dr. Erzberger, NASA) DO NOTDO NOT automate unique skills or enjoyable tasks automate unique skills or enjoyable tasks DO NOTDO NOT automate complex or poorly understood tasks automate complex or poorly understood tasks DODO automate to increase situation awareness (and not the contrary) automate to increase situation awareness (and not the contrary) DODO automate to enrich controller’s work environment and complement automate to enrich controller’s work environment and complement

controller skillscontroller skills

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The PHARE approach

Data link technology offers new possibilities: Data link technology offers new possibilities: how to take them into account to offer a better how to take them into account to offer a better

service and a better assistance to the controller?service and a better assistance to the controller? The controller as a supervisor of an automated system. The controller as a supervisor of an automated system.

Not recommended: loss of situation awareness.Not recommended: loss of situation awareness. Cognitive approach (automation based on typical Cognitive approach (automation based on typical

controller heuristics). Not retained as considered more controller heuristics). Not retained as considered more appropriate for optimisation of existing concept.appropriate for optimisation of existing concept.

From these two extremes an intermediate solution From these two extremes an intermediate solution was selected. was selected.

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Role of the controller in PHARERole of the controller in PHARE

Planning controller: global traffic managementPlanning controller: global traffic management Negotiates the conflict free aircraft trajectory. Negotiates the conflict free aircraft trajectory. Updates the planning of trajectories in case of Updates the planning of trajectories in case of

unexpected events.unexpected events.

Tactical controller: traffic monitoringTactical controller: traffic monitoring Little initiative except when something does not go as Little initiative except when something does not go as

planned.planned. Introduction of “co-operative tools” in PD/3 as an Introduction of “co-operative tools” in PD/3 as an

attempt to improve situation awareness and attempt to improve situation awareness and communication between the two controllers.communication between the two controllers.

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A challenge for the futureA challenge for the future

Today: increase number of controllersToday: increase number of controllers Tomorrow (2005) : increase sector capacity with a Tomorrow (2005) : increase sector capacity with a

cognitive approach to automation cognitive approach to automation 2010 and beyond? The PHARE scenario: a quite 2010 and beyond? The PHARE scenario: a quite

significant step. Issues to be resolved: significant step. Issues to be resolved: TrainingTraining: is such a change acceptable for today controllers?: is such a change acceptable for today controllers? LiabilityLiability: increased role of ground and airborne computers, : increased role of ground and airborne computers,

new pilot responsibilities.new pilot responsibilities. TransitionTransition: intermediate steps are necessary. : intermediate steps are necessary.