Advantages of Stereoscopic 3D Displays for Conflict Judgment Performance in Air-Traffic-Control: When and How to Use 3D

Abstract

Three different stereoscopic 3D visualisations are compared with the 2D reference currently used at air traffic control (ATC) controller working positions. Using safety critical air traffic scenarios, air traffic controllers (ATCOs), pilots, and two groups of laypersons, one of which with an appropriate training, are asked to judge safety critical scenarios showing two converging aircraft. The cognitive demands that arising in peak-traffic situations are simulated by adding an additional auditory task that has to be conducted in parallel to judging potential conflicts. The results show that the 3D visualizations can enhance the efficiency of the ATCOs without compromising the safety. However, while the judgement certainty of all visualizations is virtually equal in cases of conflict, differences arise due to the dimension on which the aircraft miss each other in case of separation. While advantages of 3D arise when judging vertical distances, 2D better supports the judgment of horizontal distances. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.