Which data provide the best insight? A field trial for validating a remote tower operation concept.

Abstract

This paper describes the validation of a Remote Tower Control workplace. The study shows how Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) observe traffic from a Tower Control Working Position at Airport Erfurt-Weimar (ERF) in comparison to a Remote Controller Working Position. The validation exercise targets low traffic density airports. Shadow-mode trials were used to cover perceptual, operational and human factors aspects of a Remote Tower System, including a live video panorama and a German Aerospace Center (DLR) research aircraft. The aircraft was used to fly different maneuvers within the aerodrome. These maneuvers allow insights on the detectability of an aircraft within different distances from the tower and the gathering of operation information about an aircraft status. In addition, a Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) vehicle was used to position static objects on the airfield to determine the detectability of these objects for different distances to the Control Tower (RTO-camera system). Eight ATCOs from the DFS participated in the validation exercise. Time-synchronized questionnaires for the controller working position remote (CWP-remote) and the controller working position tower (CWP-tower) were applied, addressing operational relevant questions to the ATCOs. The results reveal that the information sources play a different role at the CWP-remote than for the CWP-tower. The results are discussed taking performance and subjective data into consideration. Further, the implications for the consolidation of functional requirements and system specifications for a future remote tower system are worked out.