Information Requirements for Traffic Flow Management

This report discusses the information requirements in the traffic management units (TMUs) of an air route traffic control center (ARTCC). The decision makers in the TMU are traffic management coordinators (TMCs). There are typically three or more TMCs on duty in the TMU around the clock. The TMC does not fit the laypersons image of an air traffic controller. That image -a controller monitoring aircraft on radar displays and actively controlling those aircraft by issuing cryptic instructions over two-way radios - is a simplified but not incorrect depiction of the sector controller. The sector controllers responsibility is to keep aircraft separated as they traverse a given volume of airspace. In contrast ,the TMC does not communicate with or actively control aircraft. The TMC is responsible for ensuring that the flow of air traffic is such that the sector controllers have a fighting chance of keeping aircraft separated. This study had four objectives: (1) to ascertain the nature of TMC positions and responsibilities, (2) to develop an explanatory account of TMC decision making and action, (3) to specify the information requirements for TMC decision making ,and (4) to identify opportunities for FAA action to support TMC decision making with special emphasis on human factors research and technology development.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.tc.faa.gov/logistics/grants/pdf/1999/99-g-020d.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Kansas State University, Manhattan

  Department of Psychology
  Manhattan, KS  United States  66506

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Authors:
  • Smith, K
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: 37p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air routes; Air traffic; Air traffic control; Aircraft separation; Airspace utilization; Feedback control; Flow control (Air traffic control); Human factors engineering
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01138284
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 12 2009 12:47PM