A Field Study of Work Type Influence on Air Traffic Controllers' Fatigue Based on Data-Driven PERCLOS Detection

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Human Factors Engineering
• Aviation Safety

Background:

• Air traffic controller (ATCO) fatigue poses significant risks to aviation safety.
• Previous research has not adequately explored how different ATCO work types influence fatigue levels.
• Understanding work-type-specific fatigue is crucial for effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the fatigue levels of ATCOs in two distinct work environments: terminal control unit (TCU) and area control unit (ACU).
• To determine the influence of work type, task demands, and circadian rhythms on ATCO fatigue.
• To provide empirical evidence on the relationship between ATCO job characteristics and fatigue.

Main Methods:

• A field study involving 67 ATCOs from TCU and ACU positions.
• Fatigue assessment using percentage of eyelid closure over the pupil over time (PERCLOS) measured before and after shifts.
• Statistical analysis, including Spearman correlation, to examine the impact of work type and circadian rhythms on fatigue.

Main Results:

• ATCOs in the TCU, managing complex arrival/departure sequences, showed fatigue influenced by task demands and circadian phase.
• ATCOs in the ACU, handling en-route traffic with more routine tasks and frequent night shifts, exhibited fatigue influenced by task demands, with potential circadian rhythm disturbances.
• Significant interactions between task demand and circadian rhythm affecting fatigue were found in TCU ATCOs, but not in ACU ATCOs.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first evidence that ATCO work type significantly influences fatigue.
• Fatigue management strategies should consider the specific demands and characteristics of different ATCO roles.
• Findings have implications for improving safety not only in aviation but also in other transport industries.