Multi-Modal Collaboration Environment

ABSTRACT: A Phase II proposal for specification and implementation of the ARViSS (Aircraft RAMP Visualization and Simulation System) prototype system is provided in support of the C-130 System Program Office (WR-ALC/GRB) Scheduled Maintenance Specialized Visualization and Simulation effort. Using existing aircraft status data, users can maintain situational awareness by visually scanning the actual RAMP situation. Co-located data and performance statistics aid decision makers working in real-time. Simulation allows the users to benefit from multiple models being run by ARViSS to explore possibilities. Two technologies form the basis of the ARViSS visualization and decision aiding system: Advanced, User-centric Graphical Visualization and Stochastic Simulation. User-centric graphical depiction of data frees the users of tabular and spreadsheet-based data from having to maintain a complex process model mentally. The user can engage in active status monitoring, zooming in and out on details while data is represented spatially. The stochastic simulation approach taken in ARViSS embeds RAMP production models in the system to supply operations management decision support by allowing the users to view actual data from the Master Schedule, Aircraft Status Sheet, and full process simulation results simultaneously within an advanced GUI to support optimal RAMP throughput. BENEFIT: This research has applicability to any human operator supervised, distributed multi-step, collaborative process from maintenance and repair production lines, to command and control processes that seek to optimize throughput.