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a Stable and resilient ATM by integrating Robust airline operations into the network

Project description

Robust airline operations for a resilient ATM system

Trajectory-based operations (TBO) is one of the cornerstones of a modernised air traffic management (ATM) system. The TBO operational concept takes into account the trajectory of every aircraft during all phases of the flight and manages their interactions (with other trajectories or hazards) to achieve the optimum system outcome, with minimal deviation from the user-requested flight trajectory, whenever possible. However, as TBO is based on a constant exchange of information about trajectories between the ground and air systems, uncertainties inherent in the ATM system sometimes lead to a degradation of its performance when disruptions occur. The EU-funded START project aims to design, apply and verify optimised algorithms that will enable a robust ATM system not only for conventional air traffic but resilient in disrupted circumstances as well. In this respect, using AI, data science and applied mathematics START will model uncertainties related to both individual trajectories as well as at the network level in extreme weather conditions.

Objective

One of the key enablers of Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) is the automated updating of trajectories in reaction to developing uncertainties. However, a high frequency of updates and modifications leads to degraded system stability. The overall goal of START (a Stable and resilienT ATM by integrAting Robust airline operations into the neTwork) is to develop, implement, and validate optimisation algorithms for robust airline operations that result in stable and resilient ATM performance even in disturbed scenarios.

START’s goal shall be reached by a suitable combination of methods from applied mathematics, i.e.: mathematical optimisation, optimisation under uncertainty, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science, as well as algorithm design. Furthermore, insight into the uncertainties relevant in TBO systems will be gained through simulations. The main focus of the project is the optimization of conventional traffic situations while considering disruptive weather events such as thunderstorms. Specific goals include:

1. To model uncertainties at the micro (trajectory) level, assimilate observations (via ADSB/Radar) every 15 min and propagate trajectory uncertainties using assimilated models and a stochastic trajectory predictor.
2. To model uncertainties at the macro (ATM network) level, assimilate observations (satellite data for storm, and network status) every 15 min., and propagate ATM network uncertainties using the assimilated models.
3. To develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm capable of generating a set of pan-European (i.e. considering the whole traffic over Europe) robust trajectories that make the European ATM system resilient when facing these relevant validate ties.
4. To implement those algorithms as an advanced fight dispatching demo functionality for airspace users to obtain robust trajectories.
5. To validate these concepts through system-wide simulation procedures in order to evaluate their stability.

Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID
Net EU contribution
€ 300 000,00
Address
CALLE MADRID 126
28903 Getafe (Madrid)
Spain

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Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
€ 300 000,00

Participants (6)