4D Trajectory Management Model

Abstract

Currently, in the existing ATC system, the conflicts between aircraft are detected and resolved in a state-based approach. In order to meet traffic demand predictions, the global air traffic management (ATM) system needs some big changes. Several visions on future ATM operations exist (e.g. NextGen, SESAR). A common approach between these two different visions 4D Trajectory management. This function enables trajectory-based operation as opposed to the state-based approach of the present system. Instead of monitoring the current traffic situation and resolving short term conflicts by vectoring, the 4D trajectory management function de-conflicts all trajectories prior to execution. Conflict resolution of 4D trajectories is applied to conflict scenarios using constraints. A characteristic of a constraint is that it does not limit the aircraft to a particular solution but provides the aircraft the room to generate a trajectory within the actual solution. Conflicting trajectories are resolved using constraints where the constraints provides an approximation of the solution space. This concept of trajectory deconfliction through the use of constraints is the topic of this thesis work.Introduction 1

Air travel has improved tremendously since the first successful attempt made by the Wright brothers. In 2013, more than 9.5

In the last case, there is a higher uncertainty about the aircraft position in time between the waypoints (or the assumption or agreement should be made that the speed between the waypoints is constant). For the illustration of the concept of trajectory deconfliction through the use of constraints discussed in this case study, it didn’t matter if trajectories with time step of 1 second or 10 seconds were used. For simplicity and ease of use a time step of 1 second is