Ergonomics Considerations in Air Traffic Conflict Detection and Resolution

The latest global air traffic shows a positive sign of a tremendous recovery in worldwide air traffic post-pandemic. This paper aims at providing a systematic literature review on air traffic conflict detection and resolution (CDR) in air traffic control (ATC) from ergonomics perspectives and developing a framework underlying the CDR processes to retort the bounce-back of air traffic density. A preferred reporting item for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) was adopted to conduct the review of prior publications in ATC CDR. Based on the 35 literatures reviewed, a framework of CDR is produced highlighting the key aspects of ATC as a sociotechnical system including humans, environment, interface/system, and task. The present study also sheds light on future research directions covering acceleration of ATC proficiency, design of ATC systems, analysis of global traffic patterns, ATC automation transparency, and task designs to enhance air traffic safety and efficiency. The take-away points from the growing body of literatures on ATC CDR are discussed further in this paper.