VISION

Action

The European Commission published the amended Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-24 on 31 March 2023. The overall driver of Cluster 5 – “Climate, Energy and Mobility” is to accelerate the green and digital transition, and the associated transformation of the economy, industry and society to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. 

This cluster contains seven research actions, which have been delegated to EASA as contracting authority. This project addresses the following action: Colour vision requirements in the new full glass cockpit environment and modern ATCO consoles.

Outcome and output

The outcome below describes the expected and targeted benefit and impact the project will generate after successfully completion. The output below describes the intended project results needed to achieve the expected/targeted outcome. 

Expected outcome

The project to assess the suitability of current colour vision requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCOs) in modern working environments is expected to provide scientifically based evidence that will support decision-making regarding regulatory needs for colour vision assessment.

The current colour vision requirements were established more than 20 years ago, and since then, there have been significant advancements in aviation technology, including full glass cockpit and ATM consoles. These advancements have changed the working environment for pilots and ATCOs, and it is necessary to assess whether the current colour vision requirements are still suitable for these modern working environments.

The expected outcome of the project is to provide an updated assessment of the colour vision needs for pilots and ATCOs in modern working environments. This assessment will be based on scientific evidence and will identify any potential changes needed to the current requirements. By providing this evidence, the project will support decision-making with regards to regulatory needs pertaining to colour vision assessment for pilots and ATCOs.

The project aims to ensure that the colour vision requirements for pilots and ATCOs are appropriate for modern working environments and that they are based on the latest scientific evidence. This will help to enhance safety and efficiency in air travel, by ensuring that pilots and ATCOs have the necessary colour vision abilities to perform their duties effectively.

Ultimately, the project will support decision-making with regards to regulatory needs pertaining to colour vision assessment for pilots and ATCOs and help to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel.

Required output

The project aims to assess the suitability of current colour vision requirements for pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCOs) in modern working environments and will deliver two key outputs based on testing and measurements in the working environment:

•  Assessment of the colour vision performances required to safely perform pilot and ATCO professional duties: the project will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the colour vision requirements for pilots and ATCOs in modern working environments. This assessment will consider the latest advancements in aviation technology, including full glass cockpit and ATM consoles. The assessment will identify the specific colour vision performances that are required for pilots and ATCOs to safely perform their professional duties.
   
•  Identification of suitable testing methods and thresholds for the pilots and ATCOs: The project will also identify suitable testing methods and thresholds for the colour vision assessment of pilots and ATCOs. This will involve evaluating the effectiveness of existing testing methods and thresholds and identifying any potential changes that may be required to ensure that they are suitable for modern working environments

Through these outputs, the project will help to ensure that the colour vision assessment of pilots and ATCOs is based on the latest scientific evidence and that it is effective in identifying individuals who may have colour vision deficiencies that could impact their professional duties.

Overall, the required output of the project will be a comprehensive assessment of the colour vision requirements for pilots and ATCOs in modern working environments, as well as the identification of suitable testing methods and thresholds for colour vision assessment.

Call for Tender

Check the call for tender for this Research Project
Contract duration: 24 months

Important notice:
The call for tender will be issued ahead of the conclusion of the Contribution Agreement between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and EASA. The conclusion of the aforementioned Contribution Agreement is a prerequisite for the award of any contract resulting from this tender procedure.