A practical capacity model of an air route network

Abstract

This paper presents a model for determining the practical capacity of an air route network. The model is based upon the theory of queueing networks. In the model presented here the Air Traffic Control sectors being parts of an airspace, are considered to be network nodes, while the segments of the air routes along which aircraft can fly from one sector to another are called network branches. The main inputs for the model are divided into two groups: inputs referring to demand for service within the air route network and those referring to service characteristics of the network. The inputs on demand are: intensity of incoming aircraft flow which demand service within each of the Air Traffic Control sectors of the network and distributions of traffic among these sectors in a given time unit; these distributions are represented by probabilities of aircraft passing from one sector to another. The inputs of service characteristics are: ultimate capacity of the micronetwork of air routes in each sector as a par...