An Improved MPS Algorithm for Optimal Scheduling of Aircraft Arrivals at Congested Airports

Abstract

This paper presents an improved aircraft arrival sequencing and scheduling model, and designs a new efficient algorithm to optimize the arrival traffic flow at the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) area. It has three steps: Firstly the aircrafts in same route are united into groups, then the positionmatrix is created according to a series of ATC (Air Traffic Control) constraints, finally the solution space tree is built to search the optimal sequence. The algorithm also take into account Max Position Shift (MPS) and wake vortex separations. Finally the algorithm is validated with practical data, the results shows the computing scale is small and the proportion of continuous landing aircrafts in final sequence is more in contrast to other algorithms, it is more convenient for the operation of controllers.