Abstract
Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) has been recognized as an effective way to significantly reduce fuel burn and noise impact. Designing efficient and flexible arrival routes for generating conflict-free and economical trajectories is a cornerstone for fully achieving CDO by high-level automation in high-density traffic scenarios. In this research, inspired by the Point Merge (PM), we design the Inverted Crown-Shaped Arrival Airspace (ICSAA) and its operational procedures to support Omni-directional CDO. In order to generate optimal conflict-free trajectories for upcoming aircraft in an efficient manner, we established a multi-objective trajectory optimization model solved by Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm with Elitist Strategy (NSGA-II). The Pareto solutions of minimal fuel consumption and trip time were achieved in single aircraft and highly complex multi-aircraft scenarios. Among all the elements of Pareto front, we obtained an unique solution with Entropy-Weights Method and TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) to strike a better trade-off among collision probability, fuel consumption, and trip time, which incorporates both air traffic controller’s and pilot’s interests. The effectiveness of CDO performance improvement and computational efficiency in different scenarios were verified. The ICSAA would be a promising structure that promotes the application of automated and flexible CDO.
Highlights
Worldwide Air Traffic Management (ATM) system is undergoing the process of upgrading and transformation, in order to cope with increasing air traffic demand and congestion, as well as diverse expectations of stakeholders for safety, efficiency, economy, and pro-environment, especially in high-density airports and terminal airspace [1]
Total fuel consumption and trip time that aircraft take from entry point to Final Approach Fix (FAF) are set as two objectives for the Continuous Descent Operation (CDO) trajectory optimization
Inspired by traditional Point Merge System (PMS), this paper broke through the traditional rigid terminal airspace structure by designing Inverted Crown-Shaped Arrival Airspace (ICSAA) and its operational procedures to deliver Omni-directional CDO
Summary
Worldwide Air Traffic Management (ATM) system is undergoing the process of upgrading and transformation, in order to cope with increasing air traffic demand and congestion, as well as diverse expectations of stakeholders for safety, efficiency, economy, and pro-environment, especially in high-density airports and terminal airspace [1].Trajectory-Based Operation (TBO) and Performance-Based Operation (PBO) have been identified as the core concept of the future ATM system [2].Continuous Descent Operation (CDO), one of the key elements in TBO and PBO, has been recognized as an effective procedure that may improve operation efficiency and environmental benefits in terminal airspace, which was initially designed to abate noise [3]. Worldwide Air Traffic Management (ATM) system is undergoing the process of upgrading and transformation, in order to cope with increasing air traffic demand and congestion, as well as diverse expectations of stakeholders for safety, efficiency, economy, and pro-environment, especially in high-density airports and terminal airspace [1]. Trajectory-Based Operation (TBO) and Performance-Based Operation (PBO) have been identified as the core concept of the future ATM system [2]. Continuous Descent Operation (CDO), one of the key elements in TBO and PBO, has been recognized as an effective procedure that may improve operation efficiency and environmental benefits in terminal airspace, which was initially designed to abate noise [3]. In 2010, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) published Doc. 9931 Continuous Descent Operation Manual, which provides guidelines for CDO procedure design [5]. CDO has become one of the building blocks for Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP), Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR), and Generation Air
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