Impact Monitor Toolbox
Inspired by the EC’s Better Regulation Guidelines & Toolbox but also capitalising on work in EU programmes (e.g. in TEAM_Play, Technology Evaluator in Clean Sky 1 & 2, and SESAR), this toolbox describes a way of working for conducting holistic impact assessments and monitoring of European R&I in aviation. That is, it sets out the requirements for the key steps in the complete cycle of performing such assessments and monitoring, and provides guidance, tips and best practice.
The toolbox contributes to conducting coherent and holistic impact assessments and monitoring of European R&I in aviation in a systematic way, with the aim to become the reference choice for technology and policy assessment and monitoring of the environmental-, economic- and societal-impact of European R&I in aviation.
Impact Monitor Framework
The project successfully developed and implemented the technical foundations for an collaborative impact assessment framework. In this context, distributed networks of design and analysis tools from experts at different locations were collaboratively planned using web-based systems for workflow architecting and executed remotely, taking into account both performance and security aspects. The project significantly enhanced the capabilities of the Common Parametric Aircraft Configuration Schema (CPACS) to model the complexity of air transportation systems.
Impact Monitor has proven that large-scale collaboration successfully works if based on common data standards (CPACS), advanced workflow architecting (MDAX), and performant and secure execution of distributed networks of disciplinary design and analysis tools (RCE uplink and BRICS technologies).
The developed framework is for the first time based on a central data exchange format, CPACS, which serves as a central source of truth. This reduces ambiguity in the data and speeds up the connection of new partners and disciplines in an impact assessment study. Furthermore, the remote execution of tools at different locations has proven to be secure, robust and efficient.
Interactive Dashboard
An interactive web-based Dashboard Application was developed for impact assessments of future aircraft transport systems using visual data analytics. Key achievements:
- Requirement gathering for functionality and business needs with stakeholders
- Development of an intuitive dashboard for visualizations, interactivity, "what-if" analysis, and multi-criteria decision-making
- Cloud storage integration for CPACS and relevant file visualization
The dashboard supports multi-layer analysis (aircraft, airport, air transport system) and what-if scenarios. Its flexible architecture and interactive capabilities enhance decision-making efficiency, integrating high-level insights for decision-makers and detailed analysis for researchers.
Demonstration Use Cases
The project succeeded on developing multi-level demonstration use cases (UCs) showcasing the capabilities of the framework. All three UCs target an environmental, economic and/or societal impact assessment of an exemplary (although hypothetical) R&I innovation, covering one or more assessment levels.
- UC1 “Aircraft technologies”, novel aircraft concepts with advanced propulsion systems
- UC2 “ATM & operations” continuous descent operations at aircraft and airport levels
- UC3 “Policies & regulations” uptake of sustainable aviation fuels at air transport system level
In the frame of the project, use case studies including models, scenarios, and metrics selection have been defined, while associated workflows have been created to be integrated in the framework. Using all the technologies from the framework, collaborative cross organizational workflows have been run and studies performed. Results from the studies have been post-processed and visualized through the dashboard.
Interfaces to Research & Innovation Initiatives
The project identified relevant R&I initiatives focused on advanced aircraft concepts, new technologies, and optimized operational solutions. Using both top-down and bottom-up approaches, this information offers a comprehensive view of ongoing innovation in the air transport sector related to monitoring assessment topics. Key achievements:
- Methodology to identify and analyse R&I initiatives
- Identification of stakeholder interfaces and communication needs
- Creation of a dataset to classify European research initiatives
- Classification of stakeholders' needs for impact assessments
- Increased stakeholder involvement in supporting assessments
The methodology enables integration of innovative solutions for impact assessment within the project.
