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https://www.nationalacademies.org/trb/events

Air Traffic Controller Human Performance Assurance Framework

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires a systems-level understanding of how medical qualification, fatigue management, staffing, training, procedures, reporting, and organizational controls collectively prevent, detect, mitigate, and support recovery from degraded air traffic controller performance. These controls have not been systematically characterized as an integrated barrier system, limiting the FAA’s ability to assess their effectiveness, dependencies, vulnerabilities, and contribution to overall safety. This research will identify the essential human-performance barriers supporting air traffic control operations and establish methods for evaluating and monitoring their individual and collective effectiveness. It will also determine how controller performance events and underlying medical, physiological, cognitive, psychosocial, and operational factors can inform continuous improvement and system resilience. Results are required within 12 months to support the FAA Reauthorization Act Section 411 Aviation Workforce Mental Health Task Group. The resulting FAA-endorsed Human Performance Assurance Framework will support evaluation of controller mental health protocols, medical qualification requirements, assistance programs, and related Aviation Rulemaking Committee recommendations. The framework will enable transparent, evidence-based decisions about controller health and human-performance risks within the FAA Safety Management System.