Fatigue Detection in Air Traffic Controllers: A Comprehensive Review

Air traffic controllers play a crucial role in overseeing and managing dynamic flight operations. The issue of their fatigue is intrinsically linked to aviation safety, thus detecting fatigue states in controllers is vital for operational control and training. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the methods and research on detecting fatigue in air traffic controllers (ATCOs). It initially reviews the historical advancements and pertinent literature concerning the management and prevention of controller fatigue. Moreover, it examines the behavioral traits, physiological signals, and current single-source data methods utilized for detecting fatigue in ATCOs. The paper also underscores the fusion detection methods, models, and multi-source data-based research, serving as references for exhaustive and real-time analysis of controller fatigue states. Finally, it suggests future research directions for fatigue risk prevention in ATCOs, based on the existing studies.