Visual Scan Consistency and Performance in Simulated Air Traffic Control Tower Operations

Abstract

Air traffic control tower operations require continuous visual attention allocation across dynamic airfield environments, yet limited research has examined how visual scanning consistency influences tower performance. This study investigated whether cross-scenario consistency in eye-movement patterns was associated with operational performance and workload during high-fidelity tower simulations. Sixteen air traffic management students completed ten 30-min simulated tower scenarios while eye movements were recorded using head-mounted eye tracking. Participants were assigned to guided scan, self-developed consistent scan, or control conditions. Scan consistency was quantified using eye-tracking pattern analysis based on probability distributions and Kullback–Leibler divergence. Lower variability in scan consistency across scenarios was significantly associated with fewer operational errors. Mean scan consistency was also positively related to errors, Findings indicate that stable, yet adaptable visual scanning strategies may enhance tower performance. Training programs may therefore benefit from emphasizing structured and repeatable scanning strategies while allowing flexibility in pattern development.