Effects of Traffic Structure and Strategic Conflict Probe on Controller Performance and Flight Efficiency

摘要

Controllers currently rely on structured routes and traffic organization for managing separation problems. The unstructured, free routing environment that will gradually evolve under the Free Flight concept may place additional demands oncontrollers. An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of the unstructured traffic environment and a strategic conflict probe, the User Request Evaluation Tool (URET), on controller performance and flight efficiency. Results indicated that URETimproves operational acceptability and may enhance safety in the unstructured environment. Limited evidence on flight efficiency indicated that controllers issued fewer, more strategic maneuvers with URET. Future research should focus on quantifying theeffect of strategic conflict resolution on flight efficiency and assessing the interaction of procedures with URET.