Study on Influencing Factors of Controllers’ Undesirable Stress Response Based on GRAY-DEMATEL Method

In civil aviation transportation systems, air traffic controllers play a key role in maintaining safe, orderly and rapid air traffic flow management. Due to various undesirable stress influencing factors, the workload and work complexity of controllers have increased dramatically. In recent years, flight accidents or incidents caused by controller errors have occurred more frequently. Firstly, this paper proposes an evaluation framework that effectively identifies the key factors affecting the undesirable stress response of controllers, and extracts 20 main factors from the aspect of controllers' work ability, work complexity, work environment, safety atmosphere, and physical and mental health, etc. Secondly, the combination of Grey System Theory and Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) Method is used to identify the factors affecting the controllers' undesirable stress response qualitatively and quantitatively. Lastly, we extract key factors from the 20 main factors, which can help us better cope with and reduce the undesirable stress response of controllers. The research results show that the key factors are the number of aircraft under control at the same time, emergencies, equipment reliability, airspace complexity, and emotional conditions. The research results aim to improve the controller's ability to adjust stress and improve the efficiency and safety of air traffic control.