The FAA revised air traffic controller scheduling policies following an uproar in 2011 after a few controllers were found to have fallen asleep or become unresponsive while on their shifts, but the agency lacks metrics to determine whether its new policies will reduce controller fatigue, the Department of Transportation inspector general has said.
It also said the $1.9 million cost of requiring a second overnight controller at 30 facilities could be offset by additional measures, such as reducing costs related to its overnight operations.
Further, controllers are working schedules that do not always comply with FAA’s scheduling policies on the minimum amount of time required between shifts, according to the IG.
The FAA agreed with recommendations including to develop guidance for air traffic facility managers and workforces specifically defining the criteria for compliance with rest policies, including an emphasis that the rest requirements only apply between operational shifts, and policies governing "recuperative breaks" during the midnight shift.
