Air Traffic Management Research and Training Laboratory

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Air traffic control tower simulator showing a panoramic runway display and a controller workstation

Who we are

The Air Traffic Management Research and Training Laboratory at UNSW Canberra is a simulation-based facility supporting research, training and innovation in air traffic management. It provides a realistic environment to explore aviation operations, human performance, emerging technologies and future airspace concepts before their real-world implementation.

The laboratory features an advanced air traffic control simulation system with aerodrome, surveillance and radar-control capability, enabling realistic operational scenarios for research, testing and training. It supports researchers, government, industry and defence partners working in areas such as human factors, automation, AI-enabled decision support, digital tower operations, uncrewed aircraft systems and future airspace management.

UNSW Canberra City

The Air Traffic Management Research and Training Laboratory is part of UNSW Canberra City – our collaborative innovation ecosystem – where shared facilities and co-working spaces bring together researchers, industry partners, entrepreneurs and students to rapidly move ideas from design to real-world application.
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Capabilities

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Air Traffic Control Simulation

Simulate aerodrome, tower, surveillance and radar-control environments for research, training and operational concept testing.
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Human-in-the-Loop and Human Factors Research

Investigate how controllers, trainees and operators interact with traffic, procedures, communication systems and decision-support tools. Research areas include workload, situation awareness, decision-making and team performance.
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Scenario Design and Exercise Development

Develop tailored simulation exercises for research, training, operational evaluation and concept development.
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Training and Professional Development

Provide air traffic management (ATM) and air traffic control (ATC) familiarisation, academic teaching, professional development and short-course delivery.

Aviation Safety and Resilience Research

Examine aviation accidents, incidents, safety-critical operations and system resilience through simulation-based studies and operational analysis.

Emergency and Contingency Operations

Explore emergency response, degraded systems, abnormal operations, communication failures and weather-related disruptions in a controlled environment.

AI and Decision-Support Evaluation

Evaluate AI-enabled tools for traffic prediction, controller assistance, conflict detection, workload management and operational decision-making.

Future Air Traffic Management Concepts

Support research into digital towers, remote operations, visual surveillance technologies and next-generation air traffic management systems.

Uncrewed Aircraft and Advanced Air Mobility

Investigate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, advanced air mobility and mixed-airspace environments.

Communication and Coordination Research

Study communication, coordination and information-sharing across complex aviation and airspace management environments.

Defence and Civil Aviation Applications

Support capability development, operational research and technology evaluation for defence and civil aviation stakeholders.

Aviation Outreach and STEM Engagement

Introduce students, educators and future professionals to aviation operations, human factors and aerospace career pathways through immersive experiences.

Our equipment
    • Air Traffic Control Simulation SystemIntegrated
      simulation platform supporting aerodrome, tower, surveillance, radar, instructor-led and pseudo-pilot simulation activities.
    • 180-Degree Aerodrome Control Visual Environment
      High-fidelity visual system supporting simulated tower operations, runway management, taxiway movements and aerodrome-control research.
    • Surveillance/Radar Controller Workstation
      Controllerworkstation supporting approach, terminal and enroute surveillance activities, traffic monitoring and conflict- management scenarios.
    • Pseudo-Pilot Workstations
      Simulation workstations enabling realistic control of aircraft, vehicles and scripted events during dynamic exercises.
    • Instructor and Scenario Design Workstation
      Instructor station for exercise control, scenario management, event injection, supervision and debriefing.
    • Scenario Development and Exercise Management Tools
      Tools for creating, modifying and running operational, training and research scenarios.
    • Emergency Management Scenario Tools
      Simulation tools supporting emergency response, abnormal operations, degraded systems and coordinated incident-management exercises.
    • Recording, Playback and Debriefing Tools
      Exercise recording and playback functionality for performance review, training feedback and research analysis.
    • Communication and Coordination Simulation Tools
      Simulated radio, telephone and coordination functions supporting air traffic management and human factors research.
    • Human Factors Research Tools
      Capability to integrate workload assessment, observation, eye-tracking, questionnaires and other human-performance measures into simulation activities.
    • ATM Familiarisation and Demonstration Capability
      Practical simulation environment for introducing researchers, engineers, students and industry partners to air traffic management operations and emerging aviation technologies.

Our people

Dr Ugur Turhan in Air Traffic Control Lab
Dr Ugur Turhan
Senior Lecturer in Aviation, School of Science, UNSW Canberra

Email: u.turhan@unsw.edu.au

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How to access

  • Contact our team to discuss your technology and project objectives, and how the capabilities of the Air Traffic Management Research and Training Laboratory can support your work. 
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  • We will work with you to understand your testing requirements, project goals, and identify the most suitable access or partnership model. 

  • Once the scope of work is agreed, we will confirm facility access, technical requirements and scheduling.

  • Following a safety and facility induction, your team will be authorised to access the Air Traffic Management Research and Training Laboratory and to schedule testing. 

Fees

Costs are determined on a case‑by‑case basis. Please get in touch to discuss a tailored solution that best matches your individual or organisational requirements.
Get in touch

Contact us

Air Traffic Management Research and Training Laboratory

Level 1
Room 120
Building 26, School of Science
UNSW Canberra

Email: connect.cbr@unsw.edu.au

We invite you to experience our innovation precinct firsthand. Reach out to our team today to discuss your strategic goals and arrange a tour of UNSW Canberra City and our facilities.
We like to hear from you. If you have questions, requests or ideas for collaboration, please complete the contact form and we will be in touch within five business days.

Get in touch about your project

We offer a range of services that can be tailored to your needs. Please send us an enquiry to get started.
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