A User Equilibrium Assignment Flow Model for Multiairport Open Network System

Honghai Zhang,Qiqian Zhang,Lei Yang

doi:10.1155/2015/631428

Abstract

To reduce flight delays and promote fairness in air traffic management, we study the imbalance problem between supply and demand in airport network system from the view of both the system and the users. First, we establish an open multiairport oriented network flow system with the correlation between the arrival and departure in capacity-constrained airports, as well as the relevance between multiairports united flights. Then, based on the efficiency rationing principle, we propose an optimization model to reassign flow with user equilibrium constraints. These constraints include Gini coefficient, system capacity, and united flights. The model minimizes the total flight delay cost of capacity-constrained airports in the network system. We also introduce some evaluation indexes to quantitatively analyze fairness among airlines. Finally, with an open multiairport network system and its actual flights data in China, the model is verified. Test results show that the model can be used to coordinate and optimize matching the flow and capacity in the multiairport, make full use of the capacity of airports, and minimize the system delays. The findings can provide a powerful reference of developing scientific and rational assignment strategy for air traffic controllers.

Highlights

It is clear that the phenomenon of growing traffic demand should be met by a concomitant improvement in airport capacity
Researches above are achieved by optimizing by flight line-up or with flight delay coefficient taking into account users’ expection or preference information
They make the issue more reasonable to some degrees but have not considered the fairness among users, that is, the delay degree of influence on the airlines, which is caused from the imbalance between supply and demand. They have not considered the spread phenomenon of delay from the system’s view. From both system optimization and user equilibrium perspectives, we research the issue of imbalance between demand and supply in an open airport network system, so as to find out a tradeoff among the balancing users’ needs, optimizing the system’s flow distribution and making full use of the system’s capacity

Summary

Introduction

It is clear that the phenomenon of growing traffic demand should be met by a concomitant improvement in airport capacity. Within the considered time period, all flight demands are satisfied without any delay at the end of the last 15 min interval by optimal allocation of flow for each arrival/demand fix of airside It guarantees the capacity utilization satisfaction level and gives an effective utilization of airport airside capacity and reduces flight delays. Researches above are achieved by optimizing by flight line-up or with flight delay coefficient taking into account users’ expection or preference information They make the issue more reasonable to some degrees but have not considered the fairness among users, that is, the delay degree of influence on the airlines, which is caused from the imbalance between supply and demand. From both system optimization and user equilibrium perspectives, we research the issue of imbalance between demand and supply in an open airport network system, so as to find out a tradeoff among the balancing users’ needs, optimizing the system’s flow distribution and making full use of the system’s capacity

Open Multiairport Network System

A User Equilibrium Assignment Model

User Equilibrium Evaluation Indexes

Sample Simulation Analysis

Conclusions