How 3D-Displays in ATC Permit Direct Event Perception

摘要

Three different stereoscopic 3D visualizations are compared with regard to the quality of the event representation to the 2D reference currently used at air-traffic-control controller working positions. Both air-traffic-controllers and pilots judge safety critical air-traffic events showing two converging aircrafts. The level of cognitive demand that arises in peak-traffic situations is simulated by an additional auditory task that has to be conducted in parallel to the conflict assessment. The results indicate that 3D visualizations represent the event structure best, and enhance the efficacy of the air-traffic-controllers in detecting conflicts without compensating this advantage at the cost of efficiency due to a higher number of false alarms. The increase of this advantage with increased cognitive demand indicates benefits of 3D visualizations regarding mental workload and situation-awareness. These displays furthermore proof advantageous for judging vertical distances and the acquisition of conflict assessment skills, therewith indicating their usefulness for controlling areas with strong vertical aircraft movements as well as training decision skills.