Automated Systems: The Human Factor

The need for a safe and expeditious air traffic system, along with recent and rapid developments in advanced computer-based technology, has been associated with remarkable changes in airway systems operations and in the system decision-making process. A key issue in air traffic systems concerns which human functions should be automated to maximize system performance and efficiency, without jeopardizing system safety. These decisions are quite simple for a few selected functions where human performance is superior, or in some instances inferior, to machines. The decisions become more critical in considering those functions where human and machine performance differences are subtle. These latter circumstances present the greatest challenge to the human factors professionals and system designers because of the potential human factors consequences (Adams, 1989).