Environmentally Optimized Resolutions of In-Trail Separation Conflicts for Arrival Flights

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a novel tool that calculates environmentally optimized conflict resolutions for two consecutive arrival flights that feature an in-trail separation conflict. This dual-event tool is an extension of a single-event version of the tool that was developed earlier for the analysis and design of noise-abatement procedures around airports. The new tool combines a noise model, an emissions inventory model, a geographic information system, and a dynamic trajectory optimization algorithm. The optimization algorithm generates routings and flight paths that minimize the environmental impact in the residential communities surrounding the airport while satisfying all imposed operational and safety constraints. The environmentally optimized conflict resolutions calculated with the dual-event version of the tool are illustrated in an example scenario based on an approach to one of the runways of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in The Netherlands. The results indicate that the optimal resolution strategy heavily depends on the considered aircraft types.