Human Interfaces and Management of Information (HIMI) Challenges for "In-Time" Aviation Safety Management Systems (IASMS)

Lawrence J. Prinzel, Paul Krois, Kyle K. Ellis, Nikunj C. Oza, Robert W. Mah, Chad L. Stephens, Misty D. Davies, Samantha I. Infeld

Abstract: The envisioned transformation of the National Airspace System to integrate an In-time Aviation Safety Management System (IASMS) to assure safety in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) brings unprecedented challenges to the design of human interfaces and management of safety information. Safety in design and operational safety assurance are critical factors for how humans will interact with increasingly autonomous systems. The IASMS Concept of Operations builds from traditional commercial operator safety management and scales in complexity to AAM. The transformative changes in future aviation systems pose potential new critical safety risks with novel types of aircraft and other vehicles having different performance capabilities, flying in increasingly complex airspace, and using adaptive contingencies to manage normal and non-normal operations. These changes compel development of new and emerging capabilities that enable innovative ways for humans to interact with data and manage information. Increasing complexity of AAM corresponds with use of predictive modeling, data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to effectively address known hazards and emergent risks. The roles of humans will dynamically evolve in increments with this technological and operational evolution. The interfaces for how humans will interact with increasingly complex and assured systems designed to operate autonomously and how information will need to be presented are important challenges to be resolved.