Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Graduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Garrett Noltemeyer, Graduate Student
Lead Presenter's Name
Garrett Noltemeyer
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Aviation
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Jennifer Thropp
Abstract
The effect that caffeine produces on the situational awareness and decision-making of air traffic controllers can provide a significant reduction in air traffic incidents. Air traffic incidents that currently take place in the National Airspace System (NAS) are infrequent but do cause significant damage to human life and property when they occur. These incidents tend to involve human error majority of the time, and more specifically, lack of situational awareness. This issue can be addressed in a multitude of ways, but this study specifically tests the application of caffeine supplements for air traffic controllers and its effect on the participants ability to maintain an effective level of situational awareness during a task. Effective situational awareness will be determined through the measurement of two variables: decision making and reaction speed. Variance within these two variables should show differences between the treatment group and the control group. Each variable will have a specific section of the observation checklist that identifies the participants ability to demonstrate adequate responses during the air traffic control tower simulation.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
IMPACT OF CAFFEINE SUPPLEMENTS ON AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
The effect that caffeine produces on the situational awareness and decision-making of air traffic controllers can provide a significant reduction in air traffic incidents. Air traffic incidents that currently take place in the National Airspace System (NAS) are infrequent but do cause significant damage to human life and property when they occur. These incidents tend to involve human error majority of the time, and more specifically, lack of situational awareness. This issue can be addressed in a multitude of ways, but this study specifically tests the application of caffeine supplements for air traffic controllers and its effect on the participants ability to maintain an effective level of situational awareness during a task. Effective situational awareness will be determined through the measurement of two variables: decision making and reaction speed. Variance within these two variables should show differences between the treatment group and the control group. Each variable will have a specific section of the observation checklist that identifies the participants ability to demonstrate adequate responses during the air traffic control tower simulation.