Statistical Utilization of Complex Data: an Application in Pilot Fatigue Study

Abstract:

Recent changes to FAA regulations regarding commercial airline pilot duty schedules are intended to decrease pilot fatigue, and subsequently increase awareness and decrease the likelihood of fatigue-related pilot error. Requirements are placed on airlines to collect data and base scheduling and operational decisions on sound scientific principles. The Boeing Company is conducting an experiment with airline pilots in a flight simulator aimed at identifying operationally feasible measurement devices and techniques which provide a physiology-based estimate of fatigue. Pilots conduct a variety of flights during both rested and fatigued conditions, while a variety of devices collect high-resolution data which may subsequently be used to estimate fatigue state in future flights. This talk will discuss the current state of the experiment, the statistical techniques used to estimate fatigue state from these physiological devices, and some preliminary results.