Cognitive Workload and Learning Assessment During the Implementation of a Next-Generation Air Traffic Control Technology Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract

Neuroimaging technologies, such as functional nearinfrared spectroscopy (fNIR), could provide performance metrics directly from brain-based measures to assess safety and performance of operators in high-risk fields. In this paper, we objectively and subjectively examine the cognitive workload of air traffic control specialists utilizing a next-generation conflict resolution advisory. Credible differences were observed between continuously increasing workload levels that were induced by increasing the number of aircraft under control. In higher aircraft counts, a possible saturation in brain activity was realized in the fNIR data. A learning effect was also analyzed across a three-day/nine-session training period. The difference between Day 1 and Day 2 was credible, while there was a noncredible difference between Day 2 and Day 3. The results presented in this paper indicate some advantages in objective measures of cognitive workload assessment with fNIR cortical imaging over the subjective workload assessment keypad.Index Terms-Air traffic control, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR), human performance assessment, near-infrared spectroscopy, optical brain imaging, workload.

Portable Weather Applications for General Aviation Pilots

“…One possible explanation is that subjective postrun workload ratings provide less reliable measures of workload than ratings gathered at fixed time intervals during task performance (Ligda et al, 2010). While fNIR recordings and time interval ratings can show the same trend in the data (Harrison et al, 2014), postrun ratings and fNIR measures might not correlate (as was the case in the present study). Another possible explanation for the discrepancy is that the increased fNIR activation reflects an increase in mental arousal; if so, a common interpretation of the Yerkes-Dodson law dictates that performance would be improved with increasing activation during low arousal or on simple tasks and would hurt during difficult tasks under high arousal (Teigen, 1994;Yerkes & Dodson, 1908).…”

“…In the laboratory, increasingly difficult n-back tasks correspond to higher levels of oxygenated hemoglobin and lower levels of deoxygenated hemoglobin in prefrontal cortex as measured via fNIR (Herff et al, 2014). In studies of air traffic controllers, increasing the number of aircraft in a sector led to similar increases in oxygenation (Ayaz et al, 2011;Harrison et al, 2014).…”

Weather display symbology affects pilot behavior and decision-making

“…The outcome also showed that the average oxygenation levels increased monotonically with increased task difficulty. In a more recent study, Harrison et al (2014) assessed the cognitive workload of air traffic control specialists using a conflict resolution advisory tool. Using both subjective (ratings) and objective (fNIR) workload measures, they also found credible oxygenation differences between continuously increasing workload levels induced by an increased traffic load.…”

Investigation of Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Evaluation of Pilot Expertise Acquisition

“…The need for oxygen in active brain regions is satisfied by a rise in local cerebral blood flow (CBF) [23]. Based on the brain energy metabolism fNIR is capable of providing correlates of brain activity through the oxygen consumption of neurons via measurements of deoxy and/or oxy-Hb [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Because oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb have characteristic optical properties in the visible and near-infrared light range, the change in concentration of these molecules during increased brain activation can be measured using optical methods.…”