Air traffic management system domain and control strategy analysis

This paper describes a simulation tool developed to aid the analysis of air traffic management domains and potential air traffic control strategies. The simulation represents aircraft and automated air traffic control support tool functionality based on a computational model of aircraft flight management system trajectories. It simulates the effects of environmental disturbances and air traffic controller intervention on air traffic in fast time. The paper outlines a methodology that leverages these capabilities to help with tool design and evaluation, and discusses the results of preliminary simulations aimed toward using the proposed methodology for characterizing the effectiveness of particular strategy-tool combinations for supporting more efficient terminal-area air traffic management. This research is supported by NASA's Vehicle Systems Program Quiet Aircraft Technology project and Airspace Systems Program Advanced Air Transportation Technology project.