UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

A Comprehensive Approach to ATM A Comprehensive Approach to ATM Incorporating Autonomous AircraftIncorporating Autonomous Aircraft

ATM Research GroupATM Research Group

University of GlasgowUniversity of Glasgow

UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

Free Flight / Free Route Airspace: Free Flight / Free Route Airspace:

the impossible ideal operationthe impossible ideal operation

From the departure gate to the arrival From the departure gate to the arrival gate, an undelayed flight on a route that gate, an undelayed flight on a route that is chosen by the airline operator.is chosen by the airline operator.

The Problem:The Problem:

Other AircraftOther Aircraft !!

UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

The objectives of our studies:The objectives of our studies:to facilitate autonomous aircraft to facilitate autonomous aircraft

operationsoperations

Reduce congestion at airports and in airspaceReduce congestion at airports and in airspace

Increase flexibility for airlines operationsIncrease flexibility for airlines operations

Facilitate controllers’ tasksFacilitate controllers’ tasks

Maintain adequate levels of safetyMaintain adequate levels of safety

UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

A comprehensive approach includes:A comprehensive approach includes:

New strategies for ATFM to reduce congestion New strategies for ATFM to reduce congestion Air traffic density manageable by ASAS equipment in Air traffic density manageable by ASAS equipment in

Autonomous Aircraft operationsAutonomous Aircraft operations

Autonomous Aircraft operations in designated Autonomous Aircraft operations in designated volumes of airspacevolumes of airspace Aircraft responsible for separation assuranceAircraft responsible for separation assurance

Transfer from Autonomous Aircraft operations to Transfer from Autonomous Aircraft operations to conventionally controlled airspaceconventionally controlled airspace Maintain the benefits of Autonomous Aircraft during TMA Maintain the benefits of Autonomous Aircraft during TMA

operationsoperations

UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

Our studies address the problem Our studies address the problem with:with:

A scheme for ATFM based on a statistical A scheme for ATFM based on a statistical evaluation of flights to form a schedule that evaluation of flights to form a schedule that minimises conflicts.minimises conflicts.

Methodologies for Autonomous Aircraft ASAS Methodologies for Autonomous Aircraft ASAS using a system of DAI and Multi-agent using a system of DAI and Multi-agent techniques.techniques.

The Optimal Control of the Transfer from The Optimal Control of the Transfer from Autonomous Aircraft operations to Terminal Autonomous Aircraft operations to Terminal Area Airspace.Area Airspace.

UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

A Statistical approach to A Statistical approach to Air Traffic Flow Management (1)Air Traffic Flow Management (1)

Current problems:Current problems:

Uncertainty in air traffic flowsUncertainty in air traffic flows

Airspace and airport congestionAirspace and airport congestion

Loss of flexibility for aircraft operationsLoss of flexibility for aircraft operations

Objectives:Objectives:

Reduce congestion in the airspaceReduce congestion in the airspace Optimise aircraft throughput in airportsOptimise aircraft throughput in airports

UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

A Statistical approach to A Statistical approach to Air Traffic Flow Management (2)Air Traffic Flow Management (2)

Approach:Approach:

The analysis of historical dataThe analysis of historical data

The application of probability and statistical theoryThe application of probability and statistical theory

Goals:Goals:

To distribute aircraft arrivals and departures evenly To distribute aircraft arrivals and departures evenly

in time through optimal dynamic re-schedulingin time through optimal dynamic re-scheduling

To control air traffic density to manageable levels To control air traffic density to manageable levels

for Autonomous Aircraft operationsfor Autonomous Aircraft operations

UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

•Autonomous aircraftAutonomous aircraftresponsible for separation responsible for separation

assuranceassurance

•Avoid conflicts with aircraft Avoid conflicts with aircraft within communications and within communications and

surveillance rangesurveillance range

Multi-agent systems approach to Multi-agent systems approach to Autonomous Aircraft operations (1)Autonomous Aircraft operations (1)

UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

Multi-agent systems approach to Multi-agent systems approach to Autonomous Aircraft operations (2)Autonomous Aircraft operations (2)

• Conflict resolution Conflict resolution algorithms and algorithms and operational procedures operational procedures based on multi-agent based on multi-agent systems theorysystems theory

• Co-operation: Aircraft Co-operation: Aircraft involved in a conflict form involved in a conflict form a team and implement a a team and implement a common plan to share the common plan to share the costs of the conflict costs of the conflict resolutionresolution

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GLASGOW

Transition from Autonomous Aircraft operations toTransition from Autonomous Aircraft operations toTerminal Area Airspace (1)Terminal Area Airspace (1)

Approach Zone

Tower Zone

Terminal Area

Autonomous Aircraft

operations

Contrrolled Airspace

TMA Entry Point

Intermediate Approach Fix

Final Approach Fix

Proposed Trajectory

Possible points of

conflict/delay

Possible Holding Pattern/Stack

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GLASGOW

Approach Zone

Tower Zone

Terminal Area

Controlled airspace

TMA Entry Point

Intermediate Approach Fix

Final Approach Fix

Transition Zone boundary

Dynamic Radial Distance From

Finals

Optimal Transition Zone trajectory

determined by ground ATC

Autonomous Aircraft

operations

Transition from Autonomous Aircraft operations toTransition from Autonomous Aircraft operations toTerminal Area Airspace (2)Terminal Area Airspace (2)

UNIVERSITYof

GLASGOW

Current Status & Future ResearchCurrent Status & Future Research

Current StatusCurrent Status

Encouraging results have been obtained in the three Encouraging results have been obtained in the three proposed schemesproposed schemes

Future ResearchFuture Research

Extend the three schemesExtend the three schemes

Develop a unified ATM model that incorporates the Develop a unified ATM model that incorporates the three schemesthree schemes

Use the model to investigate other operational factorsUse the model to investigate other operational factors