Feasibility of Integrating Automated Separation Assurance with Controller-Managed Aircraft Operations in the Same Airspace

Abstract

This study used a human-in-the-loop simulation to examine the feasibility of mixed equipage operations in an automated separation assurance environment under higher traffic densities. The study involved two aircraft equipage alternatives—with and without data link—and four traffic conditions. In all traffic conditions, the unequipped traffic count was increased linearly throughout the scenario from approximately 5–20 aircraft. The first condition consisted solely of this unequipped traffic, while the remaining three conditions included a constant number of equipped aircraft operating within the same airspace: 15 equipped aircraft in the second condition, 30 in the third condition, and 45 in the fourth condition. If traffic load became excessive during any run, participants were instructed to refuse sector entry to inbound unequipped aircraft until sector load became manageable. Results showed a progressively higher number of unequipped aircraft turned away under the second, third, and fourth scenario conditions. Controller self-reported workload also increased progressively with the increasing level of equipped aircraft. Participants rated the mixed operations concept as acceptable, with some qualifications about procedures and information displays. These results showed that mixed operations might be feasible in the same airspace if unequipped aircraft count is held to a workable level. This level will decrease with increasing complexity. The results imply that an integrated airspace configuration is feasible to a limit. The results also indicate that the conflict detection and resolution automation, equipage, and traffic density are important factors that must be considered in airspace configuration.