Smart sectors

Project Information

SMARTS

Grant agreement ID: 101114686

DOI

10.3030/101114686

Project closed

EC signature date 7 June 2023

Start date 1 September 2023

End date 28 February 2026

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 1 504 151,84

EU contribution

€ 1 057 494,34

Coordinated by

CENTRO DE REFERENCIA INVESTIGACION DESARROLLO E INNOVACION ATM, A.I.E.
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SMARTS (Smart sectors)

Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2024-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The SMARTS project, funded by the European Union, addresses the growing challenges in air traffic management and the need for adaptable airspace capacity. Its main goal is to enhance airspace management efficiency by organizing airspace better, allowing ANSPs to use resources efficiently and easing air traffic controllers’ workloads. The project aims to design airspace sectors that distribute workloads evenly and use advanced technologies like machine learning for accurate traffic prediction and improved planning. Additionally, it will develop adaptive solutions for real-time traffic changes, ensuring smooth operations. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the project seeks to optimize airspace utilization and explore broader applications of AI in air traffic management.

The SMARTS project aims to overcome the limitations of current airspace management tools, which often depend on operator experience and basic methods. By using advanced technologies like AI and optimization algorithms, SMARTS seeks to provide scalable solutions for large airspace areas, potentially covering all of Europe. The project addresses key issues such as increasing air traffic and the need for more capacity. It aims to ensure safe, efficient flights with reduced environmental impact and balanced workloads for air traffic controllers. Additionally, it seeks to ensure airspace management can adapt to unexpected changes and varying traffic conditions

The SMARTS project aims to contribute to SESAR’s high-level goals by increasing airspace capacity, reducing fuel consumption, improving flight punctuality, and enhancing air traffic controller productivity. These improvements are expected to significantly impact the European air traffic management system, benefiting ANSPs, airspace users, passengers, and the environment.

Amid rising air traffic demand, the SMARTS project aims to develop more efficient and resilient air traffic management solutions. By leveraging advanced technologies and innovative methodologies, SMARTS seeks to transform dynamic airspace configuration, ensuring the European air traffic system can meet future challenges while maintaining high safety and efficiency standards. The project’s outcomes are expected to pave the way for further advancements in air traffic management, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient aviation industry.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The SMARTS Consultation Workshop on February 27, 2024, at EUROCONTROL HQ in Brussels, addressed key challenges in demand analysis, volume and sector design, and sector configuration. The workshop’s outcomes are detailed in the Operational Services and Environment Description (OSED) report, which outlines the future operational environment for Demand and Capacity Balancing (DCB) and provides a foundation for developing SMARTS algorithms. SMARTS has significantly progressed in the development of these algorithms:

- The cluster analysis model for flow identification has been developed. It uses historical traffic data to predict traffic and determine adaptable sector shapes. This model is detailed in the intermediate report on cluster analysis, which presents the methodology and outcomes of using machine learning techniques to cluster demand data into traffic flows.

- The project has also developed an initial version of the SMARTS basic volume model, which includes a mathematical model for designing airspace volumes, tested on French airspace data. It introduces Airspace Blocks (AB) and Shareable Airspace Blocks (SAB) and incorporates operational design criteria defined in SMARTS.

- SMARTS has initiated the development of the sector design model. It is based on two methods for airspace multi-sector design using Madrid Area Control Center data, evaluating workload balance, air traffic flow geometry, and computational efficiency.

- A deterministic model for sector configuration has been developed. It is an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) model, which aims to minimize traffic overload while considering operational constraints. Tests performed with historical data from the Madrid Area Control Center show that it effectively minimizes traffic overload even with increased traffic scenarios.

To deal with how to address resilience in capacity managment, a workshop on June 27, 2024 was organised to discuss resilience and robustness, resilience indicators, and various scenarios.

Ongoing deliverables include the Exploratory Research Plan (ERP) for validating the SMARTS solution at Technology Readiness Level 2 (TRL2), involving real-time simulation of smart sector design and configuration in Madrid ACC airspace, and evaluation of the sector design algorithm against previous tools. These exercises are expected to demonstrate improvements in airspace capacity, fuel efficiency, punctuality, and cost savings.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The SMARTS project has significantly advanced airspace capacity management by developing Smart Sectors, utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence to optimize airspace usage. Key achievements include creating advanced methods and algorithms for sector design and configuration, achieving several technical milestones such as the development of a basic volume model, cluster analysis for flow identification, and a deterministic model for sector configuration.

The project has substantial scientific, economic, societal, and industrial impacts. Scientifically, it advances theoretical approaches in Air Traffic Flow and Capacity Management (ATFCM). Economically, it aims to reduce the number of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCo) required per flight and balance workloads across sectors, leading to cost-efficient capacity management. Societally, it enhances flight punctuality and reduces emissions, benefiting European citizens and supporting the competitiveness of the European aviation industry. Industrially, it contributes to the future of ATM systems within SESAR’s industrial research framework, developing solutions for high traffic volumes and complex airspace scenarios.

To ensure further uptake and success, continued research and demonstration are essential to refine the developed algorithms and models. Additionally, a supportive regulatory and standardisation framework is vital for implementing new airspace management solutions.

By addressing these needs, the SMARTS project can maximize its impact, contributing to a more efficient, safe, and sustainable airspace management system.