Air Traffic Management Concept Baseline Definition - The Boeing ...

2. Intent:
The research area identified is the understanding of the nature and structure of the
controllers’ intent. There is a need to understand how their intent is translated into
a 4D action plan, how the plan is shaped by the need to delay execution of specific
actions, and how that action plan is modified in real time. This knowledge is basic
to determining how intent data could be entered into and used by a decision
support tool.
3. Structure to Maximize Throughput:
An understanding needs to be developed about how airspace structure is used to
reduce cognitive workload (intervention rate) and thus facilitate increased
capacity. The cognitive demands on the tactical controller were discussed in terms
of being affected by the need to identify potential conflicts. The task of
determining the potential for conflicts becomes more difficult in the terminal
environment due to the uncertainties in the profiles of climbing and descending
aircraft. Topics will include:
• Real time studies on the cognitive workload for distributed flight profiles
versus a more structured organization. The scenarios for this test must
include both high and low density traffic situations with the presence of
aircraft that do not respect clearance or suffer some failure (i.e., nonnormal
and rare-normal events).
• Fast time studies on the number of potential conflicts created in high and
low density airspace using a non-airway or free-routing organization.
4. Sharing Separation Assurance Responsibility:
Research associated with the sharing of the separation assurance task should focus
primarily on identifying the feasibility of ground and cockpit recovery procedures
involving transfer of control. Factors to address are requirements for independent
monitoring and the technologies needed to support such requirements.
8.3.5 Communication Research
In order to fully exploit the future capability of data link, the following research should be
undertaken:
1. Natural Language Information Flow Between the Aircraft and Control - The
current specifications for Controller/Pilot Data Link replicate exactly the standard
phrases specified in FAA Order 7110.65 and its ICAO equivalent document.
These documents have evolved over many years to ensure complete and
unambiguous verbal communication. They do not, however, represent the best
way of communicating when verbal communication is not the means. Research is
needed to define the best way to communication flight clearances and intent
independent of the means of expressing that information. Human factors research
must accompany this effort to ensure that the resulting natural language of air
127