The impact of different media on safety and usability of interactive ATC applications

In this report a set of criteria relevant to assess the impact of using different media in the design of user interfaces for safety-critical systems is proposed and discussed. An evaluation of different options concerning such media during the design of an interactive and cooperative application in the Air Traffic Control domain area is shown to illustrate and clarify our approach. Particular attention has been paid on how different choices in the allocation of tasks among air traffic controllers and the modalities of their performance affect usability and safety of operators' interactions.