Human-in-the-Loop Investigation of Automation Requirements for Separation Management

The Separation Management Project is part of the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Plan. Human factors researchers from the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center conducted a human-in-the-loop simulation to investigate variable lateral separation standards in the en route environment. Twelve Certified Professional Controllers participated in the study. The authors simulated reduced separation requirements (i.e., 3 miles) using a single sensor radar site adaptation as well as for aircraft with either Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast or Performance-Based Navigation equipment. The authors simulated increased separation (i.e., 10 miles) for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. In addition, the authors simulated variable wake turbulence separation requirements for the Airbus 380 and Very Light Jets. The authors also developed a set of support tools to assist the controllers in using the variable separation procedures. The authors identified several human factors issues, and the results are discussed in terms of the automation requirements necessary to support the variable separation concept.