Aircraft mix (i.e., the mix of aircraft with different performance characteristics in a sector) has been repeatedly cited as a complexity factor in en route air traffic control. However, scant attention has been directed to a statistical examination of this relationship. The present study is the third in a series of investigations designed to define, quantify, and assess the validity of aircraft mix as a contributor to traffic complexity. Eighteen 30-minute samples of System Analysis Recording data were collected from the Fort Worth and Atlanta en route centers. Performance and Objective Workload Evaluation Research (POWER) measures and the Aircraft Mix Index (Pfleiderer, 2003a) were computed in 6-minute intervals for each of the 36 samples. Principal Components Analysis of the combined data sets produced four components with eigenvalues greater than 1 accounting for approx. 71% of the variance. The Aircraft Mix Index was most closely associated with Component 1, which was composed of variables generally associated with traffic complexity. These variables were used as predictors against a criterion of controllers subjective Complexity ratings in multiple regression analyses of low-and high- altitude sector samples.The Aircraft Mix Index failed to contribute significantly to the explained variance in the both the low-altitude (R=.69; R2=.47) and high-altitude (R=.57; R2=.33) sector models. In the aggregate, the results suggest that although aircraft mix appears to be associated with traffic complexity, it may not be as influential as other complexity factors in the en route environment.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Relationship of the Aircraft Mix Index with Performance and Objective Workload Evaluation Research Measures and Controllers' Subjective Complexity Ratings


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2005


    Size :

    20 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Workload indices: physiological measures versus subjective ratings

    Veltman, H. / Gaillard, A. / Van Breda, L. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1997




    Mental Workload: Lessons Learned from Subjective and Physiological Measures

    Veltman | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003