Visualization of uncertainty for air traffic controllers

Abstract

The goal of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCo) is to maximize both safety and capacity, so as to accept all flights without compromising the life of the passengers or creating delays. Because air traffic is expected to double by 2030, new IT systems must be developed to manage this traffic increase while maintaining or improving safety. ATCo radar screen displays past, current, and future aircraft position that contains uncertainty without displaying it. Uncertainty is mentally integrated by ATCo when assessing the future aircraft position. In this paper, we give some information regarding the radar data uncertainty and we propose new designs to display future aircraft positions more accurately with their uncertainty.