Application of Traffic-Wave Theory in Air Traffic Flow

Air traffic flow converges from the route to the terminal area and then disperses to the airport. Research of the transmit mechanism has a significant importance on the efficiency control of queue length and congestion of the terminal area. In this process, the corresponding convergence wave and dissipation wave will come into being. In this paper, the basic principle of the traffic-wave is introduced. A traffic-wave equation suitable for air traffic flow is established, based on the Underwood speed-density model. In view of the particularity of air traffic flow, we will analyze the density of air traffic flow to research the propagation speed of the convergence wave and dissipation wave, and then we will obtain the mechanism of the queue length of the terminal area. To ensure the stability of the queue length, the relation of transmit time between the convergence wave and dissipation wave is also proposed. Finally, some examples will be used to validate the practicability and feasibility of the algorithms proposed above.