Radar Command Group Time Entropy Signature as a Visual Monitoring Enhancement for Air Traffic Controllers

The activity of generic flight path monitoring of an aircraft on the radar screen is one the major problem which results in air traffic controllers (ATCOs) losing awareness of it. A novel eye signature, known as the radar command group (RCG) time entropy signature, is thus presented in this paper. This signature seeks to model the monitoring behavior of ATCOs using eye-tracking technique during this activity. Acquisition and representation of this monitoring behavior is achieved by first identifying the respective fixation count and mouseover label movement on the aircraft to establish a RCG. The regularity of a RCG exhibited on an aircraft is then calculated using the information entropy formula. Real time simulations are conducted for 88 one-hour experimental sessions with licensed and non-licensed participants comprising of three expertise levels, using scenarios that mimic actual air traffic, consisting of various flight path configuration. Test results of the RCG time entropy signature showed that, an aircraft flying on a flight path with longer distance and no change in altitude likely results in a more regular generic flight path monitoring. Furthermore, it can also be used to differentiate the novice participants from intermediates and experts, as novices lack the training. An ATCO's expertise level can thus be determined and benchmarked accordingly, allowing this signature to be applied on future ATCO training.