OBJECTIVE JOB DIFFICULTY, BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSE, AND SECTOR CHARACTERISTICS IN AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTRES

Two thousand observations on 47 radar sectors in Boston and New York were used to determine the principal behavioral stressors in the air traffic control environment. Predictor variables included peak traffic, mean airspeed, sector area, sector type, radio-communication time, and theoretically derived control load factors. Expert observers rated the degree of activity and behavioral arousal of ATC (Air Traffic Controllers) working the 47 radar sectors at the same time the objective measures were made. These "pace" ratings were significantly related to peak traffic count and duration of radio communications. The control load factors were not related to behavioral responses. Statistical analyses indicated several refinements for the definition and measurement of the control load factors. For example, airspace control load was reliably estimated by sector type and number of transitioning planes, while coordination control load was most appropriately estimated by duration of radio communications. These results suggest that estimations of workload may be made by a relatively few objective measures, and that at least one estimate of individual's behavioral responses, i.e., pace ratings, can be predicted by peak traffic counts.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00140139
• Corporate Authors:

  Taylor & Francis

  4 Park Square, Milton Park
  Abingdon,   United Kingdom  OX14 4RN
• Authors:
  • Hurst, M W
  • Rose, R M
• Publication Date: 1978-9

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 697-708
• Serial:
  • Ergonomics
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 0014-0139
  • EISSN: 1366-5847
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/terg20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air traffic controllers; Behavior; Enroute traffic control; Job analysis; Judgment; Load factor; Motor reactions; Peak hour traffic; Psychological aspects; Psychological stress; Radio
• Old TRIS Terms: Human response
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Aviation; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00195048
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1979 12:00AM