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Projects
Safety Vehicle Using Adaptive Interface Technology (SAVE-IT)
NHTSA seeks to develop a test vehicle incorporating adaptive interface technology to help it understand the safety benefits such a system might achieve and the requirements necessary to achieve such benefits. The development of such a vehicle will also spur ongoing industry efforts and create a basis for possible industry standards needed to achieve widespread application of a common adaptive interface.
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Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B)
ADS-B is a form of extremely accurate air and ground traffic surveillance for display on-board aircraft and throughout the aviation system. It holds great potential for reducing runway incursions, increasing pilot awareness of the surrounding environment, and providing radar-like services in locations that lack radar coverage. Our projects include:
- Human factors support to ADS-B avionics vendors who have contracts with the FAA
- Flight and airport surface assessments of the avionics that display ADS-B traffic
- Human factors guidance for FAA Advisory Circulars related to ADS-B
- Aircraft simulator evaluations of solutions to ADS-B human factors issues
- Evaluations of ADS-B on air traffic control and electronic flight bag displays.
Subject Pilots Needed for Usability Study of GPS Navigation System
The Volpe Center is seeking current instrument rated pilots to participate in a usability study of GPS navigation systems. Selected participants will be provided training on the equipment and fly a Cessna 206 approximately 6 hours on 3 separate flights. The flights will be conducted from Hanscom field in Bedford, MA, and from Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey beginning in early February, 2003. Pilots local to those areas are encouraged to apply.
Download the application (HTML) | Download the application (Word, 28 KB)
Simulator Fidelity
Regulatory changes in response to today's airline pilot training and evaluation needs push the twin issues of effectiveness and affordability of flight simulators for use by U.S. airlines to the forefront. The Volpe Center is conducting two FAA sponsored research programs with high pay-off potential in this area, investigating flight simulator motion fidelity requirements and flight simulator operational environment fidelity requirements. The motion fidelity requirements research program specifically examines the effect of platform motion on pilot training and evaluation. The operational environment fidelity requirements research program, which currently focuses on realistic radio communications simulation, examines the effect of current environment simulation practices and technology on crews and instructors/evaluators.
View the Publications area for related documents.
Locomotive Crewmembers Alertness Monitoring Systems Study
The Volpe Center is starting a study to evaluate current technology used to monitor the alertness of locomotive crewmembers. Volpe is looking for contacts with knowledge or technology in this field.
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Human/Computer Interface In High Speed Rail Demonstration
The application of advanced automation to the U.S. passenger and freight rail systems represents a unique challenge. As the U.S. moves toward high-speed passenger rail service, questions have emerged regarding the appropriate configuration of automation in the locomotive cab. Recent advances in technology hold the promise of achieving safety and productivity gains through in-cab automation, with minimal reliance on trackside infrastructure. The Federal
Railroad Administration has initiated this research to gain a better understanding of the implications of cab automation on human operator performance. At the heart of the matter are the questions of what tasks are appropriate for a human to perform, what tasks are appropriate for a computer to perform, and what tasks should be shared. These choices may have signigficant safety implications.
Graphics Version (PowerPoint, 433 KB) | Text Version
Effects of Satellite Imposed Communications Delays
Prior to 1990, the FAA's ATR had a moratorium on the use of satellite communication systems for most air traffic control communications The moratorium was imposed due to the potential danger of lost (stepped-on) messages resulting from the satellite imposed delays. Volpe, with the support of the FAA's Technical Center and the FAA's Southern Region led a study to assess the risk associated with satellite induced delays. The study found a statistically significant increase in "stepons" only at the highest communication workload levels. ATR lifted the moratorium for most applications that did not include, TRACONs, high density center sectors, or sectors that abut major TRACONs.
GPS Vertical Navigation Cockpit Displays
The goal of this project is to understand the human factors issues for Vertical Navigation (VNAV) displays, particularly relatively simple ones which might be incorporated in GPS area navigation equipment used by general aviation, air taxi, and regional airlines which lack full autoflight systems.
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Electronic Flight Bags
Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) are small, customizable information-management devices that aid pilots and aircraft operators in conducting flights more efficiently and safely. Volpe has worked with the FAA and the Air Transport Association to develop a comprehensive list of human factors considerations for EFBs.
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U.S. Department of Transportation