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Abstract

This paper describes the first study in a PhD program examining the effect of mental workload on conflict resolution decisions in Air Traffic Control. This study focussed on the heuristics controllers use when resolving potential conflicts between aircraft and highlighted contextual factors that affect perceived workload. Using static maps of novel scenarios, controllers were interviewed about how they would resolve potential conflicts and what factors contributed to their workload. Controllers reported that they scanned in a clockwise and top-bottom pattern; grouped aircraft with similar characteristics and used a range of different lateral and vertical conflict resolution heuristics. This research expands on previous conflict resolution heuristics and identifies the sources of complexity, which influence decision choices.

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Conflict-Resolution Heuristics for En Route Air Traffic Management

Abstract

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