AVA DASHBOARD
Control air traffic demand and capacity for air traffic managers
My Role
UX Lead( Wireframe, Prototype, Interaction Design), Research
Team Member
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Ferdi Agusta.
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Jonathan Crescenzo(Research& Documentation).
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Tessa Board(Designer).
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Patrice Reynold(Project Manager).
Timeline & Status
4 months.
Five finalists.
CONTEXT
Navigating the Skies of Tomorrow
This project is a design challenge launched by the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA). FAA is actively seeking the NextGen Graphical User Interface(GUI) that will support traffic managers in performing tasks with a more streamlined and modernized interface to achieve a safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of traffic while minimizing delays.
We were one of the five national teams that advanced to the final round and were invited to Washington D.C. to present our design solution and prototype, along with a tour at the MITRE Center.
PROBLEM SCOPE
Lack of an integrated system resulted in delaying and deferring Air Flow Program(AFP)
The current Traffic Flow System management (TFSM) lacks integrated capabilities that prevent traffic managers from having a consistent view of the system, making it difficult to make operational decisions and use it effectively.
The Traffic Flow Management (TFM) decision-making process is inefficient and error-prone because operational data is manually gathered from different apps and databases.
1. The dynamic interplay of air traffic managers in the National Air Space(NAS)
The ATCSCC (Air Route Traffic Control Center) traffic manager is the focal point for traffic management in the NAS and is the final approving authority for TMIs that impact multiple ARTCCs.
The main task is to monitor NAS components and weather to determine when and where capacity is likely to be reduced and Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) will be required. When TMIs are required, issue FEA/FCA to control demand and capacity.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
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2. Central role of managing air traffic: FEA/FCA
When there is an imbalance between demand and capacity in the upcoming hours, the traffic manager creates an initial Traffic Flow Management (TFM) strategy to collaborate with other facilities by creating or editing FEA/FCA.
When the traffic manager creates an FEA/FCA, they have many options for filters to include only flights of interest in the traffic counts. They can filter flights based on their altitude, aircraft type, departure/arrival airport, routes traversed, airline, and more.
Show Discovery
3. Current user base has voiced their challenges regarding system usability
The traffic manager monitors demand and capacity through the Traffic Situation Display (TSD).
However, they struggle with multiple windows when monitoring FEA. Switching between weather, TSD, and FEA/FCA applications leads to operational inefficiency and prolonged load times.
Integrated Dashboard
Integrating the TFM system architecture and infrastructure will provide a foundation for usability enhancements.
Data Visualization
Make data easier to understand and reveal insights to support decision-making.
Data Integration
Consolidating data interfaces to streamline data exchanges will improve TFM automation system supportability.
A unified system that transforms scattered data into easily accessible data
A better experience for traffic managers means they don't have to switch between apps and can use integrated data to make better decisions.
DESIGN PRINCIPLE
SOLUTION
An integrated and interactive dashboard that employs data visualization to support the decision-making process
The dashboard focuses on three main areas:
1. Assess AFP by monitoring weather, various types of aircraft, and airport activities.
2. Model and compare AFP with different parameters.
3. Monitor the effectiveness of the TMI(Traffic Management Initiative).
Assess
Examining weather conditions and evaluating various aircraft types within a unified traffic situation display.
Enabling FEA Assessment through Varied Data Visualizations: Harnessing Time-Based or Property-Driven Displays for Insights.
Model & Compare
Analytic feature for calculation of demand and capacity. Side-by-side comparison to find the optimal AFP.
Monitoring multiple AFPs; enabling easy editing and purging.
Monitor
Different cars same navigation
The inspiration to build the "skeleton" of the dashboard came from car control navigation. Most of the cars have the same basic controls, like the steering wheel, pedals (brake and accelerator), gearshift, and turn signals. These controls are usually in the same place no matter what car brand to contribute to safer and more efficient driving experiences while reducing the learning curve.
We understand that managing the flow of air traffic demand and capacity is just the "tip of the iceberg". This fundamental structure not only makes it easier for new users to learn but can also be expanded to handle other flow aspects and upcoming features.
INTEGRATED DASHBOARD
Putting detail in the skeleton
Guided by the design principle, first, I explored and iterated the dashboard design. The design focuses on task-based interaction and integrated applications that are easy to access. The data between applications should be exchanged and populated automatically without users entering manually. I also explored how to display applications on the monitor that can reduce user information overload.
Ideation #
Wait... Let's talk about accessible design
We've integrated accessible design into our dashboard to meet the diverse needs of users. This is evident in the option for users to customize their display, including font size, color preferences, and contrast; Access instructions and troubleshooting when needed, and choose whether the system configures their shortcuts or their own preferences.
Pick up all the goods
In the end, the final design is a blend of iterations #1 and #2, focusing on integration and personalization. This dashboard allows users to hide the left panel to maximize viewing space, and it offers quick access through shortcuts. Additionally, users can choose to hide the right data panel when they need to view TSD.
Ideation #1
Integrated apps and system admin
Ideation #2
Shortcuts are very effective
Ideation #3
Highly organized data and display
Ideation #1
Support desktop applications and web-based
Ideation #2
Easy to navigate and support new learners
Ideation #3
Do not support multi-view and multitasking
Ideation #1
Limited viewing area for application and data
Ideation #2
The data panel covers system navigation
Ideation #3
Do not support web-based. Potentially hard to develop.
Leveraging pros and cons
We received feedback from the TFM challenge team along with an assessment of the pros and cons of each iteration to achieve balance among usability, user objectives, and technical viability.
One of the feedbacks from the challenge team was the possibility of developing the new interface in a web-based or desktop application. In addition to that, it is common for traffic managers to view multiple data and make decisions.
Elevating clarity, embracing complexity
The TSD provides tools traffic managers can use to acquire information about air traffic situations. This data is populated into the dashboard to slide out on the right-hand side of the "Data" panel. This allows the traffic manager to anticipate when the demand for the airspace indicated by the FEA will be high enough to warrant a TMI.
I designed two visualizations to showcase the most relevant information for displaying flight demand. First, the data will be sorted by FCA. This will enable traffic managers to monitor all aircraft activities in a specific area when adverse weather conditions are anticipated. Next, the data will be arranged chronologically. This allows traffic managers to track aircraft activities during particular time intervals, especially when rerouting may be necessary.
Visualization #
Two is better than one
The final design is a fusion of the two, enabling traffic managers to seamlessly switch between either visualization.
MODEL
In the "Data Viz" tab, the current AFP (baseline) displays with a red indicator including a red stroke outside the box emphasizing that demand exceeds capacity. This will allow traffic managers to propose a new Air Flow Program(AFP). The new model will have gray background to inform traffic managers that this is a new model that has not been issued. When a new model results in demand below capacity, a green indication with a green stroke will show up.
When traffic managers feel confident with the newly modeled result, it will be shared and discussed during the webinar before issuing it.
Show Annotation
Calculate data for informed decision-making
In the analytic panel, traffic managers are most interested in the number of flights included in the AFP, the average delay that the AFP will assign to included flights, and the maximum delay assigned to any flight. They may model the AFP multiple times with different combinations of parameters until they find a set of parameters that seems to hit the “sweet spot” between controlling demand relative to the weather-restricted capacity without imposing too much delay while equitably assigning delay to flights.
Create FEA/FCA
Planning TMI includes creating FEA/FCA to control the traffic demand. The AVA Dashboard handles this by creating a slide/drag-up menu from the bottom of the screen in a newly created Analytics section.
In creating an FEA/FCA, traffic managers set the parameters including time range, altitude, and primary filter that includes traveling direction, airports, etc. Traffic managers can quickly adjust the parameters in the open FCA creator and submit another FCA, which is then added to the analytic panel for comparison.
Show Annotation
Terminate AFP
Near the end of the AFP event, the ATCSCC traffic manager monitors the diminishing weather and traffic volume. When the ATCSCC traffic manager cancels the AFP, the system purges any remaining EDCTs and publishes the updated flight information. NAS users receive the cancellation advisories and adjust their remaining flights accordingly.
Monitoring the effectiveness of TMIs
Throughout the AFP event, traffic managers at the ATCSCC and ARTCCs monitor the weather forecast, traffic volume through the AFP, and what routes NAS users are filing that might be trying to avoid the AFP and causing congestion. Traffic managers resolve excess traffic demand by adding and modifying TMIs as necessary
MONITOR
Beyond the prize
The design challenge proved to be incredibly demanding yet fulfilling. It granted me the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of air traffic control. The next time my flight faces delays, I'll comprehend the reasons behind it more profoundly. This design challenge enriched my ability to think systematically, especially when dealing with various stakeholders.
A notable constraint was the inability to test our prototype with NAS users to maintain fairness across all teams. Moving forward, our plan is to validate our design ideas and concepts through prototype testing.
Despite not clinching victory in the challenge, we had the privilege of connecting with remarkable individuals from FAA and NAS during the presentation. The invaluable feedback and challenging questions received served as powerful lessons. A heartfelt thanks to my team and professor for unwavering support throughout this journey.
REFLECTION
A real-time data addressing root causes
The primary part of the traffic manager’s duties is checking the weather constraint and documenting TMIs that could address the potential demand/capacity imbalances created by the weather.
I designed a unified system that delivers real-time data to assess weather and demand/capacity area. Here the traffic manager keeps a constant eye on the weather (the primary reason for flight re-routes and delays) as they see it in relation to the air traffic traveling through that space, without having to switch between weather and TSD. The system can display weather in the past or the next couple of hours, to enable them to plan TMI early. They can also filter various types of aircraft, altitude, or other parameters to gather air traffic information.
ASSESS
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