Tailoring Advanced Technologies for Air Traffic Control:
The Importance of the Development Process

Beverly D. Sanford, Kelly Harwood, and Katharine K. Lee


Abstract

This paper describes a process that is currently being applied to the
development and assessment of an advanced air traffic control (ATC)
system, the Center TRACON Automation System (CTAS).  This process
deviates from established practices of ATC system development:
iterative field testing is conducted early in development rather than
later during production, where such testing is regarded as an
implementation endpoint.  Progressive human factors assessments in the
laboratory and at ATC field sites are conducted with retired and active
controllers.  Development and assessment activities are tailored to
accommodate the specific requirements of each CTAS tool and ATC
environment.  CTAS is the first US advanced ATC automation system of its
scope and complexity to undergo this type of development and assessment
process.