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A Field Study on Safety Performance of Apron Controllers at a Large-Scale Airport Based on Digital Tower

Author

Listed:
  • Jianping Zhang

    (The Second Research Institute of Civil Aviation Administration of China, Chengdu 610041, China)

  • Xiaoqiang Tian

    (The Second Research Institute of Civil Aviation Administration of China, Chengdu 610041, China)

  • Jian Pan

    (Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou 510470, China)

  • Zhenling Chen

    (The Second Research Institute of Civil Aviation Administration of China, Chengdu 610041, China)

  • Xiang Zou

    (The Second Research Institute of Civil Aviation Administration of China, Chengdu 610041, China)

Abstract

The innovative concept of digital tower provides a new solution for reducing the construction and operation costs of airports with adverse natural environments, poor intervisibility conditions, or sparse traffic. However, it leads to changes in the situational awareness of air traffic controllers and to challenges in safety performance. To research the safety performance of apron controllers at a large-scale airport applying a digital tower, a field study was conducted at Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, China. In this study, we established a comprehensive index system from the perspective of situational awareness, which provided measurements on the areas of interests, gaze and physiological features, and vigilance of controllers. Three modules were compared: a physical tower module, a digital tower module with a large panoramic screen, and a digital tower module with a small panoramic screen. The differences in the safety performances of apron controllers are discussed in two aspects: adaptability and reliability. The results indicated that the apron controllers at the three modules performed different cognition patterns, but similar cognition effort was paid toward maintaining performance. Furthermore, the significant vigilance decrement of controllers exists between after-duty and before-duty, but with no significant difference among the three modules. In conclusion, apron controllers at a large-scale airport could obtain effective safety performances based on a digital tower that were no less than those from a physical tower.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianping Zhang & Xiaoqiang Tian & Jian Pan & Zhenling Chen & Xiang Zou, 2022. "A Field Study on Safety Performance of Apron Controllers at a Large-Scale Airport Based on Digital Tower," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1623-:d:739353
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kearney, Peter & Li, Wen-Chin, 2018. "Multiple remote tower for Single European Sky: The evolution from initial operational concept to regulatory approved implementation," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 15-30.
    2. Jianping Zhang & Zhenling Chen & Weidong Liu & Pengxin Ding & Qinggang Wu, 2021. "A Field Study of Work Type Influence on Air Traffic Controllers’ Fatigue Based on Data-Driven PERCLOS Detection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-17, November.
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