Evaluating Surface Trajectory-Based Operations concepts through a human-in-the-loop simulation

Surface Trajectory-Based Operations (STBO) is a concept and research area for improving the safety and efficiency of surface operations and is envisioned as part of the Federal Aviation Administration´s (FAA´s) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). STBO provides a concept of operating the surface in the midand far-term that includes automated decision support tools to assist air traffic controllers and managers in the tower with responsibilities such as planning for airport configuration changes, assigning runways and taxi routes, sequencing aircraft for departure, and monitoring pilot compliance to clearances. The MITRE Corporation´s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) has led an effort to evaluate STBO concept elements through human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations using prototype automation developed by Mosaic ATM. This paper describes the results of a third STBO HITL simulation that assessed how taxi routing and surface conformance monitoring decision support tools can enhance the safety and efficiency of surface operations. This simulation included consideration of a local and ground controller, implementation of a configuration change, and multiple traffic loads. Results showed that automation had positive impacts on controllers´ ability to detect pilot deviations, efficiently move surface traffic, and effectively communicate with pilots. These results helped take a step towards validating the STBO concepts by showing a clear benefit of the STBO decision support tools. The results also point to specific areas where improvements can be made to the design of these decision support tools.