Empowering the planning controller

C3T (Controller Tools and Transition Trials) is a study project whose aim is to define, develop and evaluate controller roles, tasks and working methods suited to the introduction of ATM Decision Support Tools (DST) and data link communication. The project is in support of the EUROCONTROL ATM2000/sup +/ strategy and will apply both model and real time simulation techniques. The C3T project is investigating using a stepped approach, developing from current day planning and radar controller roles towards a multi-layer planning concept, including multi-sector planning and integrated air/ground operations. C3T aims to identify benefits accrued to airspace users and service providers from the proposed concepts and to define a pragmatic implementation of its findings. Numerous ATM tools have been proposed to cater for the predicted traffic demand over the next 10 years, however, their concept of operation often does not place sufficient emphasis on the human operator. The motivation for the C3T study is based on the expectation that the cost in workload to the controller and in economics to the airline can be reduced through early problem resolution, even if some predicted problems (due to trajectory prediction inaccuracies) would ultimately result in no controller intervention. Despite the resolution of such "non-problems" it is believed that early intervention will reduce the overall tactical radar controller (TC) workload when compared to current practices. We empower the planning controller (PC) to define problem resolutions through use of conflict probing (CP), system supported coordination (SYSCO) and advanced Computer Human Interaction (CHI).