Ice-Crean: A Visual Indication Tool in Air Traffic Control Tower Operations

Abstract

The main task of an air traffic controller is to assure safety in aviation. For safe decisions the controller must keep a sufficient picture of the current situation by scanning all relevant information visually. Ice-crean was developed from prior studies as a tool to observe controllers’ scanning behaviour and indicate unattended information sources. A total of eight air traffic controllers participated in a high fidelity simulation study in which the controller coordinated IFR-traffic at a regional airport. The eye movements were continuously measured. During take-off and landing clearances the ice-crean logic analysed the controller’s scanning behaviour in real time and compared it with the predicted gazes due to database. As a result the ice-crean tool recognised which information had not been observed and responded accordingly by visual indication. Comprehensibility respecting the indication and the acceptance towards the ice-crean concept were interrogated. The tool’s indications were mostly perceived to be correct and comprehensible. The tool was evaluated positively and rated reasonable in tower operations as well as possibly helpful also in other application areas with minor restrictions. The study offers implications for actual implementation of ice-crean in airport towers and further areas. Assets and drawbacks of the tool are discussed.