IEEE VIS 2024 Content: Design of a Real-Time Visual Analytics Decision Support Interface to Manage Air Traffic Complexity

Design of a Real-Time Visual Analytics Decision Support Interface to Manage Air Traffic Complexity

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Elmira Zohrevandi - Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden. Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden

 Katerina Vrotsou - Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden. Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden

 Carl A. L. Westin - Institute of Science and Technology, Norrköping, Sweden. Institute of Science and Technology, Norrköping, Sweden

 Jonas Lundberg - Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden. Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden

 Anders Ynnerman - Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden. Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden

 Room: Palma Ceia I

2024-10-16T13:12:00ZGMT-0600Change your timezone on the schedule page
2024-10-16T13:12:00Z

Exemplar figure, described by caption below — The designed focus+context composite glyph aims to facilitate resolution of complex traffic patterns for air traffic controllers. The complexity resolutions are integrated with the conflict resolution glyph. The blue and red plots depict cluster complexity variations with heading and speed changes for a selected aircraft.

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Keywords

Visual analytics, Visualization design, Safety-critical systems

Abstract

An essential task of an air traffic controller is to manage the traffic flow by predicting future trajectories. Complex traffic patterns are difficult to predict and manage and impose cognitive load on the air traffic controllers. In this work we present an interactive visual analytics interface which facilitates detection and resolution of complex traffic patterns for air traffic controllers. The interface supports air traffic controllers in detecting complex clusters of aircraft and further enables them to visualize and simultaneously compare how different re-routing strategies for each individual aircraft yield reduction of complexity in the entire sector for the next hour. The development of the concepts was supported by the domain-specific feedback we received from six fully licensed and operational air traffic controllers in an iterative design process over a period of 14 months.