From Raw Data to Practical Application: EEG Parameters for Human Performance Studies in Air Traffic Control

Abstract

The use of electroencephalography (EEG) techniques has many advantages in the study of human performance in air traffic control (ATC). At present, these are non-intrusive techniques that allow large volumes of data to be recorded on a continuous basis using wireless equipment. To achieve the most with these techniques, it is essential to establish appropriate EEG parameters with a clear understanding of the process followed to obtain them and their practical application. This study explains, step by step, the approach adopted to obtain six EEG parameters: excitement, stress, boredom, relaxation, engagement, and attention. It then explains all the steps involved in analysing the relationship between these parameters and two other parameters that characterise the state of the air traffic control sector during the development of real-time simulations (RTS): taskload and number of simultaneous aircraft. For this case study, the results showed the highest relationships for the engagement and attention parameters. In general, the results confirmed the potential of using these EEG parameters.

Keywords

• air traffic control
• human performance
• human factors
• electroencephalography
• brain activity
• parameters