The Probability of Overlap in the Vertical Dimension

Abstract

The mathematical collision risk model developed by Reich can be used for evaluating the current air traffic control (ATC) separation minima. This model requires such parameters as volume of traffic, navigational errors of aircraft and the structure of routes. The navigational errors are closely related to the probability of overlap, which is one of the most important parameters for the model.Distributions of navigational errors have been studied by many researchers since the advent of the collision risk model. Because data collection on the navigational errors in the vertical dimension is expensive and time-consuming, there are few examples of observed data. Thus, at present, data on the probability of overlap in the vertical dimension are not available in a large enough sample to derive any conclusions.