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Proper Communication Style Promotes Team Workload Redistribution Through Backup Behavior Among Air Traffic Controllers

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Human Mental Workload: Models and Applications (H-WORKLOAD 2020)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 1318))

Abstract

The volume of air traffic has increased considerably in recent years, and the task load of air traffic controllers (ATCos) is reaching a new high. Both researchers and practitioners are seeking novel methods to prevent overload. Backup behaviors are generally beneficial for team performance in air traffic control (ATC) by redistributing team mental workload. In this paper, we would like to focus on how communication styles influence backup behaviors. Based on interviews, we found controllers tend to use different communication styles when they need backup, but what kind of communication style can promote backup and in what situations such communication style can benefit backup are not clear. We recruited 20 licensed ATCos and carried out two experiments on ATC simulators. We found that presenting emotions and using explanations are in favor of backup, but only when these communication modes fit with the situations.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Plan [grant number: 2016YFB1001203] and the Natural Scientific Foundation of China [31671148].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China

    Han Qiao, Eh Xiaotian & Jingyu Zhang

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

    Han Qiao, Eh Xiaotian & Jingyu Zhang

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  1. Han Qiao
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  2. Eh Xiaotian
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Correspondence to Jingyu Zhang .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Luca Longo

  2. Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Maria Chiara Leva

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Qiao, H., Xiaotian, E., Zhang, J. (2020). Proper Communication Style Promotes Team Workload Redistribution Through Backup Behavior Among Air Traffic Controllers. In: Longo, L., Leva, M.C. (eds) Human Mental Workload: Models and Applications. H-WORKLOAD 2020. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1318. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62302-9_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62302-9_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-62301-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-62302-9

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