Evaluation of novel control interaction in ATC training

Abstract

As technology improved, one of the many advances included doing away with messy wires and clunky devices. Minimization was the key, and one way this was manifested was in the development of the trackpad on laptops. It introduced a new way to navigate a computer without the need to attach a mouse. Eventually, the trackpad itself evolved into the touch screen that is prevalent in all smartphones in today’s society. Beyond just removing the space constrains, using a trackpad now offered much more control options. By applying multiple fingers and performing certain gestures, the computer can be ordered to perform different tasks. This is particularly useful in situations where different sets of information need to be issued and displayed from multiple sources. One example would be on the terminal of an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) Presently, Air Traffic Controllers are still using a mouse and keyboard interface to direct aircrafts within controlled airspaces. This report aims to explore the benefits of implementing a touch-based system as the primary operational interface for ATCOs instead of the traditional mouse and keyboard interface