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Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-01/19

Title and Subtitle: Controller-to-Controller Communication and Coordination Taxonomy (C4T)

Report Date: December 2001

Authors: Peterson, L.M., Bailey, L.L., and Willems, B.F.

Abstract: While previous research in the air traffic control (ATC) communications area has generally concentrated on controller-pilot communications, this program of research focuses on controller-to-controller communications. At the Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), teams of two controllers, R-side and D-side, are required to communicate on a continuing basis to coordinate the duties of their sector. As modernization of the ATC system progresses, questions arise concerning the effects these changes will have on intra-enroute sector team (EST) communications.

In anticipation of technology changes, the Federal Aviation Administration commissioned a series of studies investigating intra-EST communication. This initial study details the design and subsequent field testing of the Controller-to-Controller Communication and Coordination Taxonomy (C4T). The taxonomy is designed to capture the following general communication categories: Topic, Format (grammatical form), and Expression. The final taxonomy resulting from this research contains 12 ATC topics (i.e., Traffic, Altitude, etc.). Communication Grammatical Format contained 5 subcategories: Question, Answer, Statement, Command, and Command Answer. Communication Expression consisted of 3 subcategories: Verbal, Nonverbal or a combination of Verbal and Nonverbal, referred to as Both. A field study at an ARTCC was conducted with subject-matter experts coding intra-EST communications using the taxonomy described. Field observations were made at 18 different sectors between the hours of 07:00 and 019:00 based on moderate to high traffic levels. Descriptive statistics detail the results of the taxonomy's use in a field setting.

Testing and further refinement of the taxonomy allows its use in both field and controlled experimental settings, provides a tool for training individuals to code C4T communications, and enables the establishment of a C4T baseline to investigate changes in communication patterns as modernization continues in the enroute ATC environment.

Key Words: Air Traffic Control, Communication, Controller Teamwork

No. of Pages: 12