The US National Airspace System (NAS) is composed of a huge network of surveillance, communication, and data processing equipment that enables the management all commercial air traffic. Operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the NAS ensures safe and efficient airline flight operations. A workforce of over 14,000 air traffic controllers located in air traffic control towers, Terminal Radar Control facilities, and Air Route Traffic Control Centers monitors aircraft movements and provides clearances to pilots. The management and display of information for air traffic controllers and maintainers raises many human factors issues that are the subject of research by the FAA, NASA, academia, and industry.

The NAS is currently being modernized to provide controllers with new equipment, including large-format color radar displays. Work is also underway to develop decision support automation tools to assist controllers with their work. The FAA has been conducting intensive human factors work on these new systems as they near deployment. NASA and other research establishments have been exploring new concepts and automation tools that will improve the efficiency and safety of the NAS.

This seminar will provide an overview of the NAS and how the FAA and NASA address critical human factors issues that affect system safety and performance. Examples of important projects will be provided as well as a discussion of specific human factors techniques and tools.