Controller Fatigue Gets DOT Scrutiny

The Transportation Department inspector general announced last month that the office will audit controller workload at the major ATC facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area, following reports of “staffing emergencies” at various ATC facilities. According to the DOT IG, the NTSB has cited controller fatigue as a potential contributing factor to controller operational error, which the Board called a “significant” aviation issue. The audit objectives are to evaluate key factors that could contribute to controller fatigue at Chicago O’Hare’s tower and Tracon and the Chicago air route center and identify what measures the FAA has taken to mitigate potential problems at those locations.