Advancing human-automation teaming in airport surface movement operations

Abstract and key results

In an the development for airport automation, researchers from the ASTAIR project have introduced a robust agent-based framework designed to enhance collaboration between humans and automation in airport surface movement operations (ASM Ops). The findings, presented in a recent paper, detail how this framework integrates interactive tools and adaptive AI algorithms to improve operational safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Through workshops and interviews with air traffic control officers (ATCOs) and other stakeholders from major European airports (Schiphol, Charles de Gaulle, and Frankfurt), the study identified critical requirements for human-automation teaming. These include shared situational awareness, optimised decision-making, and reducing the cognitive load on human operators.

The research team demonstrated practical use cases, including:

• Dynamic interaction tools: ATCOs can update flight schedules, modify activity sequences, and simulate traffic flows with advanced visualisation techniques.
• Real-time adaptive algorithms: Automation adjusts to operational changes, such as delays or emergencies, while maintaining safety and efficiency.
• Customisable interactions: The system offers flexibility, enabling operators to influence automated decision-making and co-design conflict-free 4D trajectories.

Notably, the framework ensures seamless human-automation interaction by incorporating user-friendly features like fast-forward simulation, priority adjustments, and alternative routing strategies. These innovations promise to pave the way for safer, more efficient airport operations as the aviation industry moves toward higher levels of automation.

In the coming months, the project team plans to conduct human-in-the-loop experiments to validate and refine these tools further, incorporating insights from real-world scenarios and operator feedback.