Aerospace Medicine Technical Reports
FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-11/08
Title and Subtitle: Development, Validation, and Deployment of an Occupational Test of Color Vision for Air Traffic Control Specialists
Report Date: May 2011
Authors: Chidester T, Milburn N, Lomangino N, Baxter N, Hughes S, Peterson L
Abstract: Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs) are responsible for the safe, efficient, and orderly flow of traffic in the U.S. National Airspace System. Color has become an integral element of the air traffic control environment. It is used to communicate information to ATCSs about various modes of air traffic functions including conflict alerts, aircraft control status, and weather.
The Federal Air Surgeon (AAM-1) and Human Factors Research, Engineering, and Development office (AJP-61) tasked the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) to develop, validate, and implement an occupational test for ATCS job candidates who fail clinical instruments during the pre-employment medical examination. The Aerospace Human Factors Research Division (AAM-500) of CAMI developed the Air Traffic Color Vision Test (ATCOV) to determine whether individuals with color vision disorders (CVDs) have adequate color vision to perform critical color-related tasks involved in air traffic control. The research team conducted two studies to validate ATCOV testing.
The results of Study One provided evidence of the reliability of the subtests, established performance norms for subjects with normal color vision (NCV) on each subtest, determined cut scores to apply in occupational testing, and examined the impact of testing upon a sample of CVD subjects.
The results of Study Two provided evidence of the reliability of second operational ATCOV subtests, established performance norms for NCV subjects on each subtest, determined cut scores to be applied in occupational testing, and examined the impact of testing upon a sample of CVD subjects. Color vision ability sufficient to perform duties safely remains critical to provision of air traffic services in the National Airspace System. ATCOV complies with Uniform Guidelines reporting requirements for both content and construct-oriented validity.
Evidence of content validity for ATCS duties is provided through direct sampling of form and content of critical display data. Evidence of construct validity is provided by correlation with Colour Assessment and Diagnosis Test and Cone Contrast Test threshold scores, which precisely measure color vision ability. This resulted in a job sample test closely tied to critical tasks communicated using color on air traffic displays. ATCOV makes use of display formats and color chromaticities deployed for critical information on critical displays as defined by published analyses of ATCS tasks. Its items are isomorphic with datablocks and weather depictions deployed on ARTS, STARS, and DSR displays in terminal and en route facilities.
Future challenges will surround the stability of color use on new systems and displays.
Key Words: Air Traffic Control, Color Vision, Personnel Selection, Medical Qualification
No. of Pages: 32
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-11/08
Title and Subtitle: Development, Validation, and Deployment of an Occupational Test of Color Vision for Air Traffic Control Specialists
Report Date: May 2011
Authors: Chidester T, Milburn N, Lomangino N, Baxter N, Hughes S, Peterson L
Abstract: Air Traffic Control Specialists (ATCSs) are responsible for the safe, efficient, and orderly flow of traffic in the U.S. National Airspace System. Color has become an integral element of the air traffic control environment. It is used to communicate information to ATCSs about various modes of air traffic functions including conflict alerts, aircraft control status, and weather.
The Federal Air Surgeon (AAM-1) and Human Factors Research, Engineering, and Development office (AJP-61) tasked the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) to develop, validate, and implement an occupational test for ATCS job candidates who fail clinical instruments during the pre-employment medical examination. The Aerospace Human Factors Research Division (AAM-500) of CAMI developed the Air Traffic Color Vision Test (ATCOV) to determine whether individuals with color vision disorders (CVDs) have adequate color vision to perform critical color-related tasks involved in air traffic control. The research team conducted two studies to validate ATCOV testing.
The results of Study One provided evidence of the reliability of the subtests, established performance norms for subjects with normal color vision (NCV) on each subtest, determined cut scores to apply in occupational testing, and examined the impact of testing upon a sample of CVD subjects.
The results of Study Two provided evidence of the reliability of second operational ATCOV subtests, established performance norms for NCV subjects on each subtest, determined cut scores to be applied in occupational testing, and examined the impact of testing upon a sample of CVD subjects. Color vision ability sufficient to perform duties safely remains critical to provision of air traffic services in the National Airspace System. ATCOV complies with Uniform Guidelines reporting requirements for both content and construct-oriented validity.
Evidence of content validity for ATCS duties is provided through direct sampling of form and content of critical display data. Evidence of construct validity is provided by correlation with Colour Assessment and Diagnosis Test and Cone Contrast Test threshold scores, which precisely measure color vision ability. This resulted in a job sample test closely tied to critical tasks communicated using color on air traffic displays. ATCOV makes use of display formats and color chromaticities deployed for critical information on critical displays as defined by published analyses of ATCS tasks. Its items are isomorphic with datablocks and weather depictions deployed on ARTS, STARS, and DSR displays in terminal and en route facilities.
Future challenges will surround the stability of color use on new systems and displays.
Key Words: Air Traffic Control, Color Vision, Personnel Selection, Medical Qualification
No. of Pages: 32
Last updated: Friday, June 1, 2012