Modelling erroneous operator behaviours for an air-traffic control task

Abstract

This paper introduces a new approach to formalising analysis of human errors in human-computer interaction. The approach takes account of the cognitive processes involved in a task, and how mistakes arise and how errors propagate through the task. It argues for modelling errors as behaviours rather than as events (the usual approach), at least for tasks involving highly interleaved concurrent, ongoing activities. The models are formalised using a combination of CSP and temporal logic, and the approach is illustrated on a case study from Air Traffic Control. By providing a richer modelling framework and being more expressive, the approach overcomes significant limitations of existing human-error identification techniques.