Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs) are responsible for the safe, efficient, and orderly flow of traffic in the U.S. National Airspace System. Color has become an integral element of the air traffic control environment. It is used to communicate information to ATCSs about various modes of air traffic functions including conflict alerts, aircraft control status, and weather. The Federal Air Surgeon (AAM-1) and Human Factors Research, Engineering, and Development office (AJP-61) tasked the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) to develop, validate, and implement an occupational test for ATCS job candidates who fail clinical instruments during the pre-employment medical examination. The Aerospace Human Factors Research Division (AAM-500) of CAMI developed the Air Traffic Color Vision Test (ATCOV) to determine whether individuals with color vision disorders (CVDs) have adequate color vision to perform critical color-related tasks involved in air traffic control. The research team conducted two studies to validate ATCOV testing. The results of Study One provided evidence of the reliability of the subtests, established performance norms for subjects with normal color vision (NCV) on each subtest, determined cut scores to apply in occupational testing, and examined the impact of testing upon a sample of CVD subjects. The results of Study Two provided evidence of the reliability of second operational ATCOV subtests, established performance norms for NCV subjects on each subtest, determined cut scores to be applied in occupational testing, and examined the impact of testing upon a sample of CVD subjects. Color vision ability sufficient to perform duties safely remains critical to provision of air traffic services in the National Airspace System. ATCOV complies with Uniform Guidelines reporting requirements for both content and construct-oriented validity.


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