Dynamic task allocation in operational systems: Issues, gaps, and recommendations

The use of automation in complex aerospace systems has helped to lessen operators' workload while increasing the precision and safety of certain tasks. However, as automation changes physical work into cognitive work, it can also lead to complacency, a loss of situation awareness, and the degradation of skills. Dynamic task allocation - in which the allocation of tasks between the human operators and the automation can change in response to the state of the operators, system, or environment - has the potential to leverage the advantages of automation while minimizing the disadvantages. While a number of studies have investigated dynamic task allocation in a laboratory setting, it is unknown how the concept is currently implemented in real-world operational systems, or what research gaps need to be closed to further this implementation. This paper begins with a review of the basic research into dynamic task allocation. It then analyzes the structure of human-automation and pilot flying-pilot monitoring dynamic task allocation in nominal and off-nominal approach and landing in commercial aircraft. Using the interaction and coordination between the two pilots as a model, the paper describes how dynamic task allocation between the human and automation can be optimally implemented in real-world operational systems and discusses the areas of future research necessary to achieve this.