Initial Life-Cycle Cost/Benefit Assessments of Distributed Air/Ground Traffic Management Concept Elements

Abstract

We have conducted an initial life -cycle cost/benefit assessment of NASA’s Distributed Air/Ground Traffic Management (DAG -TM). We estimated the benefit -to -cost ratio and net present value for each of three concept elements: En Route Free Maneuvering, En Route Trajectory Negoti ation, and Terminal Arrival Self -Spacing . Although many conservative assumptions were used, our results show that each concept element has a benefit -to -cost ratio significantly greater than unity. We found that if airspace users equip only newly purchased aircraft with the required avionics – thereby avoiding retrofitting existing aircraft – costs decrease dramatically as compared to if both new and existing aircraft are equipped in order to reach a target equipage percentage for the entire fleet. It is e vident that the two en route concept elements provide effective potential solutions for the en route congestion problem anticipated in the future while the terminal area concept element offers a compelling potential solution to reducing in -trail spacing, p articularly when instrument landing approaches are required. HE National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is conducting far -term research into a proposed concept for gate -to -gate national airspace system (NAS) operations called Di stributed Air/Ground Traffic Management (DAG -TM). DAG -TM is based on distributed decision making between flight deck crews, air traffic service providers (ATSP) and aeronautical operational control (AOC) personnel. The goal of DAG -TM is to increase system capacity/throughput, enable user preferences, and provide greater flexibility and efficiency, while meeting air traffic management (ATM) requirements and maintaining system safety and user accessibility to the NAS. DAG -TM will be accomplished with a huma n-centered operational paradigm enabled by procedural and technological innovations. These innovations include automation aids, information sharing and Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) / ATM technologies. The total DAG -TM concept is inte nded to address all user classes (commercial carriers, general aviation, etc.) with an emphasis towards ensuring access to airspace resources for the entire user community. The full scope of DAG -TM is embodied in 15 Concept Elements (CEs) that define the concept across all flight phases (pre -flight planning, departure, cruise and arrival) and operational domains in the