Measurement of Fatigue and Adaptation in Large-Scale Real-Time ATC Simulation

Abstract

After preliminary small-scale trials, selected psychophysiological and self-assessment measures were applied to a Real-Time simulation of a revised interface for adjacent Swedish and Danish Air Traffic Control (ATC) sectors. (Because the Real Time simulation involved radical change in displays and operating methods, it was important to establish that the controllers had completed learning the system.) EEG studies showed high Theta-band activity, dropping off about the tenth day of simulation. Sleep-logs showed increasing duration of sleep throughout the simulation. Self-assessments of fatigue and sleepiness showed significantly higher levels in early morning and late evening sessions, and were significantly affected by age, experience and gender. Cortisol analyses showed no significant effects.

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References

(Paper copies of EEC Notes and Reports are available from the Publications Officer at the Eurocontrol Experimental Center, BP 15 Bretigny-sur-Orge 91222 France CEDEX or from roe@eurocontrol.fr. Recent Notes and Reports are available at the EEC Web-site (www.eurocontrol.fr))

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