Aggregate flow model for evaluating ATC planning strategies

An aggregate traffic flow model is developed and used to evaluate the potential benefits of automated, facility-level, on-line air traffic flow control. Most present air traffic models simulate, in varying levels of detail, the movement of individual aircraft, which results in considerable computational requirements. However, the model described here essentially monitors and dynamically adjusts traffic flow rates and traffic densities on the routes in the ATC network. The route flow adjustments are based on controller workload criteria, with the intent of eliminating traffic surges and the associated periods of excessive workload. The model is used to evaluate two flow control strategies with respect to aircraft delay, controller workload, and staffing considerations at Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center.