NextGen Air Traffic Control/Technical Operations Human Factors

Brief Description

This program has the unique mission to translate the cross-cutting effects of NextGen on the human 

performance of actors in the domains of Air Traffic Control and Technical Operations. The team of 

researchers funded by this program analyze the OIs and increments that define NextGen, and review all 

relevant program and Human Factors documents. The team evaluates the effect of NextGen on the NAS 

Actors by interviewing or performing studies with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and current Air Traffic 

Controllers(ATCs)/Traffic Managers(TMs) /Airway Transportation System Specialists (ATSSs). They 

take a cross-cutting view of the OIs and increments to identify the enterprise level effects of NextGen, 

which are then communicated to the individual programs. Outputs of this program include training and 

staffing needs, guidance on skill degradation and non-conformance due to increased automation, and 

human error mitigations for complex systems and procedures. 

The NextGen ATC/TechOps Human Factors Program will assess the required human performance across 

systems and air traffic and TechOps domains in order to ensure proper integration of NextGen systems for 

the needs of the human component of the aviation system. These systems include a combination of new 

decision support tools, automation, and procedures, to achieve the operational improvement. The 

effectiveness of each of these technologies is contingent upon the proper integration of the new capability 

with the work performed by the controllers, traffic managers, and maintainers. Human performance 

issues 

Four Focus Areas of this Program Include:

1. Information Integration, Comprehension, and Application

2. Error management and Complex Systems (including Automation)

3. Procedure Design and Evaluation

4. Change Management and Training

This program is currently assessing RNAV/RNP non-conformance conditions and developing mitigation 

strategies and guidance to provide to AFS-400 and AJV-1. This program is also assessing NextGen 

automation, decision support tools, and alarms and alerts. This effort will provide guidance for the 

programs developing ERAM, TFDM, and STARS technology add-ons to ensure that the implementation 

of new alerts and decision support tools are enhancing human performance. This effort will also assesses 

skill degradation as a result of increased automation use. This program is also assessing the strategic job 

and training needs of air traffic and TechOps personnel to provide staffing and training guidance to AJI21, AJV-73, and AJW-13.

Significant Accomplishments: FY13 to Present

 NextGen Human Systems Integration Strategic Plan

 HSI Roadmap

 NextGen Segment Bravo Human Hazard Assessment Report

 Human Factors Air/Ground Integration Assessment of Interval Management (MITRE)

Special Issues:

The Office of Management and Budget removed our Programs budget line for FY15. We are working to 

complete FY14 research efforts and transition to a limited FY16 budget. The program is working closely 

with the NextGen office to resolve this, and future budget issues.