The Role of Workload for Work Organisation in a Remote Tower Control Center

Abstract

This paper is concerned with which role the workload concept can play for the work organisation in a future remote control tower center. Nowadays you can find a control tower next to each airport equipped with a team of controllers maintain the declared surface movement rate under all weather conditions within the aerodrome visibility operational level (AVOL) while maintaining the required level of safety. New concepts for air traffic control (ATC) consider remote control for regional airports from a control center that includes working positions for the control of multiple airports. One important concept for the evaluation of controller working positions is workload. It is of interest to consider, what conclusions can be drawn from this concept for work design of a remote control center. In a simulator study at the Institute of Flight Guidance a remote center working environment was realized for controlling two regional airports. In a 3-factor experimental design it was investigated how workload ratings differed when (1) one controller was responsible for two airports; or when two controllers were responsible for two airports with (2) each controller responsible for one airport or rather (3) working in a team responsible for both airports. Workload ratings were gathered online using the ISA scale and after each simulation run using the NASA-TLX. In addition experts judged specific traffic situations in the single operator condition for two airports in respect to its operational feasibility. The data are discussed in respect to what can be learned from these data for work organisation and future ATC concepts. What are the sensitive data to guarantee for safe operations? A better understanding of the basic conditions a controller needs to meet his obligations as an air traffic controller are indispensible, when developing concepts for remote control of regional airports.