Development of a VR intervention for Stress Reduction, Fatigue Restoration, and Performance Enhancement for Air Traffic Controllers

Kurzfassung

Air traffic control is one of the most important stakeholders in the air traffic system and is responsible for safe and efficient air traffic management and traffic flows. It is characterized by prolonged periods of sustained focus and high cognitive demands which can negatively influence performance despite the developments in air traffic. In response to this problem, this thesis investigates using virtual reality (VR) technology as an alternative intervention to mitigate the effects of stress and fatigue among ATCOs and the effect on their performance. This solution is based on the principles of the Attention Restoration Theory and the Stress Recovery Theory, which suggest that exposure to natural environments can significantly improve attentional resources and reduce physiological arousal associated with stress. The immersive nature of VR technology offers the opportunity to harness these restorative effects within the workplace, potentially improving ATCOs’ resilience to stress and fatigue. Contrary to earlier research emphasizing the relaxation benefits of VR, this study acknowledges past limitations, often centered on the general population, notably students, employing simplistic VR interactions, and relying on experimental setups that include extra relaxation aids. We address these issues by defining our sample and creating a dynamic VR environment that allows for active exploration of virtual natural scenes. Our study investigated how effective VR environments are in promoting relaxation among ATC professional during their shift breaks and its effect on their performance. We conducted a within-study comparison of VR with traditional break activities, followed by a discussion based on participants’ responses to semi-open questions. Results revealed mixed responses regarding VR’s effectiveness in reducing stress and fatigue compared to traditional break activities. While a subset of participants found the VR environment to be an engaging distraction, others reported no significant difference or preferred conventional means of relaxation. Notably, physical comfort and personal preference emerged as critical factors influencing VR’s relaxation potential. The majority of participants were open to the idea of incorporating VR as an additional option for relaxation, highlighting its novelty and potential to offer an immersive respite from work. However, feedback also pointed to the variability in individual relaxation needs and the possible limitations of VR in fully replicating the restorative experience of natural environments. These findings suggest that while VR presents a promising avenue for stress reduction, its implementation should be tailored to accommodate diverse user preferences and comfort levels, potentially serving as a complementary rather than a primary means of relaxation during breaks.