Providing the human machine interface (HMI) of the controller working position (CWP) with advanced technologies can help to minimise the workload and mental strain on controllers in area control centres and towers. This is especially true when managing high density traffic or complex operations. SESAR 1 research found multi-touch functionality including handheld or tablet devices are technically mature enough to be used in the ATC/ATM environment. In addition to providing faster input methods such as ‘one-touch’ cleared flights, the technology supports complex tools such as map manipulation and gestures recognition to enhance usability and controller productivity.

Touch technology already exists in some forms across a few domains in ATC, however multitouch will be able to be deployed in all domains, expanding the capabilities of particularly the approach and en-route environments. This solution builds on the results of SESAR 1 analysis to investigate the potential of multi-touch inputs. Three exercises and one technical demonstration, with air traffic controller involvement, were conducted to shed light on different aspects of multi-touch inputs in air traffic control connected to SESAR ATM master plan’s flight and control phases.

SESAR partners developed multi-touch prototypes for validation purposes. The research delivered a set of workstation solutions following a user-centred approach which demonstrated an improvement in productivity based on the measurement of human performance. The research also delivered a technical specification document. Training is an important aspect of this application and further safety evaluation is necessary, however the solution is ready to progress to industrialisation.

As multi-touch inputs represent a technological enabler and supplement or replace to existing controller input devices (like keyboard, mouse or trackball) there is no need to adapt procedures as such. The solution applies to almost the whole chain of aircraft flight phases including en-route and approach environments and enhances the controller working position.

The solution is available for industrialisation.

BENEFITS

Increased operational and cost efficiency

• Improved productivity

Datapack

Contextual note