AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER UTILIZATION OF VOICE AND DATA LINK COMMUNICATIONS DURING INTERVAL MANAGEMENT

A Human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulation was conducted to investigate the integration of two advanced aviation capabilities across both the air and ground domains: Interval Management (IM) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC). The IM concept was examined in a mixed communication environment. Of particular interest was the communication of the IM clearance as it is expected to be a complex communication. The simulation focused on three levels of IM clearance complexity and two different modes of communication (voice only versus voice and CPDLC). In the HITL, pilots and controllers conducted IM and had communication exchanges that were supported by automation. Controller results from the HITL are provided in this paper. The majority of controllers found the integration of the IM and CPDLC capabilities acceptable. Controllers had the most variability in their replies for the Higher Complexity clearances under both voice and CPDLC. They preferred CPDLC over voice communications. The simulation showed more communication issues when using voice as compared to when using CPDLC. The results of the HITL are expected to be used by the Federal Aviation Administration to develop requirements for IM operations and communications.