Model-based analysis of two-alternative decision errors in a videopanorama-based remote tower work position

Abstract

Initial analysis of a first Remote Control Tower (RTO) field test with an experimental videopanorama system [1] [2] under quasi operational conditions has shown performance deficits quantified by two-alternative aircraft maneuver discrimination tasks [3]. RTO-controller working position (CWP-) performance was compared with that one of the conventional tower-CWP with direct out-of-windows view by means of simultaneous aircraft maneuver observations at both operator positions, and it was quantified using discriminability d' and Bayes inference. Here we present an extended data analysis using nonparametric discriminability A and we discuss the RTO performance deficit in terms of the information processing (IP) theory of Hendy et al. [4]. As initial working hypothesis this leads to the concept of time pressure (TP) as one major source of the measured response errors. We expect the RTO-performance deficits to decrease with the introduction of certain automation features to reduce time pressure and improve the usability of the videopanorama system. A fit of the experimental data with a modified error vs. TP function provides some evidence in support of the IP/TP-hypothesis, however more specifically designed experiments are required for obtaining sufficient confidence. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.