Eye-data metrics to characterize tower controllers' visual attention in a Multipe Remote Tower Exercise

Remote Tower Centers, where Air Traffic Services are provided independently of local airport control towers, promise novel opportunities like tailored staffing concepts or more efficient work organization. In a joint approach the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the German Air Navigation Service Provider Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH (DFS) evaluated the concept for Multiple Remote Tower Control (RTC) in a realtime simulation exercise, addressing human factor relevant aspects such as workload, situation awareness, visual attention and acceptance. Within this paper we focus on eye-data analysis. 16 air traffic controllers from DFS participated in the high-fidelity human-in-the-loop simulation study for multiple remote tower. Different eye-data metrics are discussed, that can characterize the visual attention of tower controllers in this new work environment.