Vision and Brain Dynamics: Investigate Controllers’ Performance during Emergency Situations in the Next Era of Air Traffic Control

With emerging forms and conventional air traffic operating in the Next Era of Air Traffic Control (ATC) mixed environment, airspace is more complicated and increased emergencies. Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) must manage any situation effectively to ensure safety. Such challenges make human performance in handling emergency situations a critical factor in determining whether an accident occurs or the extent of its severity. This study aims to utilize functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) and eye-tracking technology to investigate the performance of ATCOs when handling emergency situations within the Next Era ATC mixed environment and recognize the connection between the biomarkers and performance levels. Sixteen participants engaged in an ATC task and managing emergencies by using a high-fidelity simulation platform. An ATCO expert assessed their performance and categorized them into two groups. The preliminary results show the significant differences in brain and vision dynamics between well performing and poor performing groups. The well performers exhibited elevated brain activation relative to their poor performing counterparts and displayed higher fixation entropy. The findings demonstrate a unique correlation between brain activity, visual behavior patterns, and performance levels in response to emergency situations. By leveraging fNIRS and eye-tracking technologies, we can provide quantifiable insights into performance efficiency. This approach could establish a foundational framework for further exploratory research into ATC performance assessment and training strategies.