Using Cognitive Task Similarities to Compare UAS Control Station Designs to Air Traffic Control Workstations: a Pilot Study

Doyle, P. K., Rinaudo, C. H., Burch V, R. F., & Babski-Reeves, K. (2020). Using Cognitive Task Similarities to Compare UAS Control Station Designs to Air Traffic Control Workstations: a Pilot Study. International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics. Inderscience. 7(2), 174-190. DOI:10.1504/IJHFE.2020.109569.

This study examines possible similarities between the cognitive tasks of air traffic control specialists (ATCS) and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) pilots as a pilot study to determine if the results from air traffic control (ATC) human factors research can be applied to the creation of Federal Aviation Administration UAS control station design standards. Ultimately, demonstrating such similarities in a pilot study could provide a safer and more cost-efficient avenue for UAS integration into the National Aerospace System as gaps in UAS research could then be filled by existing ATC studies rather than through the commissioning of new studies. In this study, an empirical analysis was conducted on possible similarities through an extensive literature review and a small population sampling. The results of this study support the existence of similarities between the cognitive tasks of ATCSs and UAS pilots; however, these findings are preliminary. Further research is needed to prove the applicability of ATC studies to UAS research.