ATC Scenario Training Technology (ASTT)

PROJECT TITLE: ATC Scenario Training Technology (ASTT)

Project completed May 2019

Collaborators:

PI: Dr. Shafagh Jafer, Electrical, Computers, Software and Systems Engineering Department, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Co-PI: Dr. William Coyne, Professor and Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Air Traffic Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Role: Enroute scenario designer and ATC lead.
Co-PI: Martin Lauth, Associate Professor of Air Traffic Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Role: ATC subject matter expert.
Co-PI: Dr. Mohammad Moallemi, Research Associate, NEAR Laboratory, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Role: technology development software and system engineer.
Co-PI: Dr. Stephen Rice, Associate Professor of Human Factors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Role: Human factors design and data analysis lead.
Students: Bharvi Chhaya, Christopher Shannon
FAA Sponsor: Shawn Mansfield, Technical Training (AJI-2)
FAA Technical Monitor: Neal Thigpen

Abstract:

We propose to develop a scenario exploration technology that provides a platform for FAA Academy trainees and instructors to exercise variety of scenarios in the ATC domain. The proposed technology, namely ATC Scenario Training Technology (ASTT), provides a customizable platform for instructors and trainees to explore various training exercises by specifying ATC scenario’s specifics while automatically validating and verifying their soundness. Acting as a decision-support, ASTT allows trainees to respond to a given scenario using their acquired skills and receive feedback on their performance. On another hand, an ATC instructor can use the tool to create various scenarios, assign complexity levels, and supplement directions to provide guidance to trainees. The tool comes with a graphical user interface to provide an easy-to-use environment for the user, while hiding all technology and simulation details. A database of scenarios will accompany the tool, while allowing additional scenarios to be easily created and added to an online repository. Such feature will allow for scenario sharing and reusability.

Expected Project Outcomes:

Scenario implementation in ASTT.
Development of high-level and low-level architecture of ASTT.
Consideration of human performance measures into design and implementation of ASTT.
Implement ASTT front-end and back-end through iterative phases.
Conduct usability tests at ERAU enroute lab.

Value of Research:

Our proposed ASST will provide an online environment allowing trainees to practice ATC concepts at their own pace without the need to utilize the Academy labs or have instructor supervision. The tool will be built using open-source freeware, easily executable on any computer, providing every student the ability to practice from anywhere. This will provide a great benefit as opposed to limited training resources that are only available at the facility.

The proposed technology will be built on top of an ATC domain-language that will be created with detailed domain information provided by subject-matter-experts from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) College of Aviation (ATC instructors). Given the user-centric aspect of this project, researchers from Human Factors Department at ERAU will join the team to ensure detailed user-specific characteristic are taken into consideration when building the technology as well as conducting human performance analysis.