Design and Evaluation of a Visual Interface for an Approach Control Merging Task

Abstract

Air traffic growth leads to increasingly complex traffic situations near large airports. To support air traffic controllers in maintaining safety and improving efficiency, new support tools are needed. This paper presents the Inbound Traffic Support System (ITSS), a visual interface prototype developed in collaboration with the Netherlands’ Air Navigation Service Provider, LVNL. The interface visualizes constraints associated with the merging task and was tested for the South Sector of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. By portraying potential merging solutions, it helps area controllers anticipate the impact of their decisions and supports their role in managing inbound traffic. Professional controllers provided positive feedback during the development phase while also identifying concerns such as display clutter that should be addressed. An experiment with semiprofessional controllers assessed the impact of the interface on operator performance and workload. Participants were instructed to rely on the interface rather than operational experience to ensure consistent results. Findings showed that the interface improved aircraft adherence to altitude restrictions and reduced the number of clearances needed in more complex scenarios. By revealing the solution space, the ITSS encourages earlier planning and reduces the need for late-stage interventions. Future work will include professional controller evaluations, increased simulation fidelity, and extended training.