CoSpace 2002 Controller Experiment Assessing the Impact of Spacing Instructions in E-TMA and TMA - The Annex
This report presents the results and findings of the CoSpace controller experiment conducted in November, 2002. This experiment fitted in with a series of air and ground validation exercises aiming at investigating the use of spacing instructions (denoted airborne spacing) for sequencing of arrival flows. The previous ground experiment, conducted in November, 2001, focussed on E-TMA (from cruise to initial approach fix) using distance based spacing. The present experiment aims at going a step further by introducing time based spacing and integrating TMA (from initial to final approach fix). More precisely, the objective was: for E-TMA, to compare the respective impact of distance- and time-based spacing on controller activity and quality of service provided; for TMA, to assess the usability of spacing instructions. Six E-TMA and four TMA controllers from different European countries participated during respectively 3 and 1½ weeks. The simulated airspace was derived from the Paris South-east area, and consisted of two E-TMA and two simplified TMA sectors. As today, the traffic had to be sequenced prior to be transferred to TMA. The level of traffic was high in TMA and very high in E-TMA. The distinct levels of maturity between TMA and E-TMA led to different levels of analysis. In TMA, still at an exploratory stage, the aim was to understand how airborne spacing could be used. This was structured along two dimensions: design and feasibility, and initial insight on controller activity. In E-TMA, the aim was to compare the impact of variants (distance versus time) on user activity and on the quality of the service provided. This was structured along four dimensions: human shaping factors, controller activity, effectiveness and safety.This experiment enabled to confirm trends obtained in 2001, and to get an overall understanding of impact of airborne spacing on controller activity and on control effectiveness in E-TMA. When correctly used - i.e. fitting in with current sequencing practices - spacing instructions seem to be beneficial (increased controller availability and better stability of flows transferred to TMA). On the opposite, it was observed that incorrect use can lead to degraded situations (increased controller workload). Finally, the spacing instructions developed for E-TMA seem to be usable in TMA