RUDLOE

COLLEGE

Training for a safer world

ASTAC Ltd
 RUDLOE
COLLEGE

Training for a safer world

The copyright to this presentation belongs to ASTAC Ltd.

Unauthorised use, copying, archiving or storage is not permitted.

For information on this and other material, please contact the Chief
Instructor, Rudloe College, Rudloe Manor, Box Hill, Corsham,
Wiltshire SN13 0GT, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 (0)1225 817100
 ICAO
Air Traffic
Services
General
 GEN27/01

Lecture GEN.27
HUMAN FACTORS
in
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
 OBJECTIVE:
At the end of the lesson, the delegate
will be able to:

 appreciate the factors that affect

performance in the provision of
ATC service
 GEN27/03

HUMAN FACTORS
within the Aviation System

Human element is

most flexible,adaptable and valuable part

BUT ALSO,

most vulnerable to influences which can

adversely affect its performance
 GEN27/04

HUMAN FACTORS
Solving problems in real world

Optimizing role of people in complex

working environment which involves all
aspects of human performance:

Decision-making & other cognitive processes

Design of displays, controls & layout
Communication & software
Documentation
 GEN27/05

HUMAN FACTORS
Matching Man and Machine

Conceptual model to aid understanding:

blocks are used to represent different
components of HF

SHEL CONCEPT
SOFTWARE
HARDWARE
ENVIRONMENT
LIVEWARE
 GEN27/06

The SHEL model

H
S L E
L MATCH OR MISMATCH OF
BLOCKS IS JUST AS
IMPORTANT AS
CHARACTERISTICS OF
BLOCKS THEMSELVES.
S = SOFTWARE (procedures, symbology, etc.) A MISMATCH CAN BE A
SOURCE OF HUMAN
H = HARDWARE (machine)
ERROR
E = ENVIRONMENT
L = LIVEWARE (HUMAN)
 GEN27/07

The Human Element

SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES

*1st Category

Stress
Boredom
Confidence and Complacency
Error Prevention
Fatigue and Breaks

* influenced by changes;
therefore, modify system
 GEN27/08

The Human Element

SPECIFIC ATTRIBUTES

* 2nd Category

Needs at Work
Attitudes
Individual Differences

* cannot be changed; ATC must

adapt to them
 GEN27/09

The Main Sources of Stress in ATC

Demand
Operating procedures

Working times

Working tools
Work environment
Work organisation
 GEN27/10

The Main Sources of Stress in ATC

Demand

• number of aircraft under control

• peak traffic hours

• extraneous traffic

• unforeseeable events
 GEN27/11

The Main Sources of Stress in ATC

Operating procedures

• time pressure

• having to bend the rules

• feeling of loss of control

• fear of consequences of errors

 GEN27/12

The Main Sources of Stress in ATC

Working times

• unbroken duty

• shift and night work

 GEN27/13

The Main Sources of Stress in ATC

Working tools

• limitations and reliability of equipment

• VDT, RTF and telephone quality

• equipment layout
 GEN27/14

The Main Sources of Stress in ATC

Work environment

• lighting, optical reflections

• noise/distracters
• microclimate

• bad posture
• rest and canteen facilities
 GEN27/15

The Main Sources of Stress in ATC

Work organisation

• role ambiguity

• relations with supervisors and colleagues

• lack of control over work process

• salary

• public opinion
 GEN27/16

The Main Causes of Boredom in ATC

Little activity

• remedy: provide more work

Substantial but routine activity

• remedy: maintain direct & active involvement
Increased skill & experience
• remedy: design tasks with hierarchy of
required skills
 GEN27/17

Confidence & Complacency

Confidence essential in ATC but can lead to

over-confidence & complacency
• remedies:

reduced partly by reasonably high (though not

excessive) work levels
control over scheduling of tasks
training & assessment of difficult and
challenging problems (through off-line
presentations)
 GEN27/18

Error Prevention

Most kinds of human error are predetermined

by aspects of system design except for
liveware issues - usually the main causes
of each particular error

Types of errors:
Controller
Display-control
Communication

Human errors - classified & compiled

 GEN27/19

Fatigue

Important liveware issue as judgement can be

impaired when controllers become over-tired
Remedies:
Splitting jobs
Adjusting staffing levels
Curtailing shift lengths
Improving work-rests cycles
Providing further training & computer
assistance
Installing modern equipment
 GEN27/20

CASE
STUDY

SOURCE: THE CONTROLLER-JUNE 1995

 GEN27/21

 The human element

 SHEL concept - software

- hardware
- environment
- liveware

 Specific attributes - 1st category

- 2nd category
END