Heterogeneous air traffic flow modeling and congestion mechanism clarification

2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14855
• Research Institution: Japan Aerospace EXploration Agency
• Principal Investigator: アンドレエバ森 アドリアナ 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 航空技術部門, 主任研究開発員 (30747499)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: cellular automata / air traffic flow / model / radar data / route mapping / merge

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Actual track data is used to investigate the potential of cellular automata (CA) in air traffic modeling. Flight trajectories are mapped on nominal flight routes. The cell sizes are determined based on the flight stage, with two groups- enroute and descent being modeled separately for better accuracy. Cell size is calculated based on non-vectored flight lateral trajectories, so that non-vectored flights proceed one cell per unit time. Comparison between vectored and non-vectored trajectories and their speed profiles when modeled in CA reveals that CA can be applied successfully to model both congested and non-congested arrival traffic. Furthermore, merging routes are also investigated and it is shown that air traffic controllers consider merging traffic past a certain threshold only.

Current Status of Research Progress

4: Progress in research has been delayed.

Reason

Other work obligations delayed the progress of the current research.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

CA has been shown to adequately model current air traffic. Future heterogeneous traffic, in particular very high-speed flights such as the supersonic ones are to be added to the model to simulate any disturbances and potential operational solutions.

Causes of Carryover

The research has been granted an extension to JFY2023, so the remaining funds will be used in 2023.