Fuzzy Reasoning-based Sequencing of Arrival Aircraft in the Terminal Area

A fuzzy reasoning-based method for scheduling air traffic in the terminal area has been designed at the NASA Ames Research Center and operationally tested at the Dallas/Fort Worth Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON). The scheduling system sequences and assigns landing times to arrival aircraft by utilizing continuous updates of aircraft radar data and controller inputs. The scheduling algorithm contains a knowledge base which was refined during several thousand hours of controller-in-the-loop real-time simulations. This knowledge base applies fuzzy reasoning to evaluate propositions that consider both performance criteria and workload criteria, such as delay reduction and conflict avoidance. Operational test results show that the algorithm determines an efficient arrival plan to land aircraft in a manner acceptable to the air traffic controllers. This paper details the scheduling algorithm and presents data regarding its effectiveness in predicting the landing order of arrival aircraft. Introduction The nationÕs air traffic system has experienced significant growth over the past fifteen years that has resulted in substantial increases in delays at nearly every major airport. This increase in traffic has not, however, been met with many deployed and operationally sound technologies for aiding the air traffic management and controller workforce. Many efforts to alleviate these problems have focused on developing decision support systems that schedule air traffic on a real-time basis in order that the traffic may be better managed and controlled. The main objective has been to provide an accurate prediction of the future traffic situation such that accurate traffic management and control decisions can made early, thus resulting in more efficient traffic flow. Copyright ã 1997 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. No copyright is asserted in the United States under Title 17, U.S. Code. The U.S. Government has a royalty-free license to exercise all rights under the copyright claimed herein for Governmental Purposes. All other rights are reserved by the copyright owner. * Research Scientist, Terminal Area Air Traffic Management Research Branch NASA Ames Research Center has been conducting research on algorithms and decision support tools for the extended terminal area for nearly twenty years. This research has resulted in the development of a suite of tools known as the Center/TRACON Automation System (CTAS). CTAS elements include the Traffic Management Advisor (TMA) to aid enroute traffic management, the Descent Advisor (DA) to supply arrival descent clearance advisories and management, and the Final Approach Spacing Tool (FAST) to provide sequence, runway, heading, and airspeed advisories to TRACON air traffic controllers.