The SESAR JU TRUSTY (Trustworthy Intelligent System for Remote Digital Tower) project is focused on understanding how air traffic controllers (ATCOs) interact with and trust explainable AI systems within remote digital tower (RDT) environments.
As part of this research, user tests were conducted in simulated real-time data settings, with the final validation exercise taking place at ENAC’s ACHIL operational platform during the first two weeks of March 2025.
The validation brought together 17 expert controllers to assess how the transparency and explainability of AI systems could foster trust while monitoring airfield operations under various conditions. The controllers were tasked with managing two different airfields:
- Toulouse Blagnac Airport (LFBO): Controllers managed air traffic (pushback, taxiing, and take-off) via radio communication.
- Muret-Lherm Aerodrome (LFBR): Controllers supervised operations remotely, with AI-assisted event detection (using video and audio), but without direct pilot communication.
The primary goal of this experiment was not to measure controller performance, but to explore the dynamics of human-AI interaction in high-stakes air traffic control environments. The insights gained will help inform the development of trustworthy AI systems for future remote digital tower operations, in line with the operational guidelines set by EASA.
As a key partner in the TRUSTY project, ENAC plays an essential role in hosting and conducting simulations at the ACHIL platform. They are also leading the research, experimentation, and validation of AI-based solutions for remote towers, while gathering valuable user feedback to refine the transparency and explainability of these AI systems.
The outcomes from the TRUSTY project are expected to be crucial in advancing the integration of AI in remote tower operations, helping ensure safer, more efficient, and transparent air traffic management in the future.
More about the project
