PJ05 enlarged the scope of the multiple remote tower solutions to enable “multiple” control in more complex traffic and environmental situations, for two or three simultaneously controlled aerodromes, to further increase cost efficiency and job satisfaction. Special attention was laid on improved HMI design, planning support and workload balancing by a flexible allocation of aerodromes to a Multiple Remote Tower Module (MRTM). In the end, PJ05 brought the multiple/centre concept to higher maturity levels:
• Solution PJ.05-02 Multiple Remote Tower Module (V1 → V3)
• Solution PJ.05-03 RTC with Flexible Allocation of Aerodromes to MRTMs (V1 → V2)
• Solution PJ.05-05 Advanced Automated MET System (TRL2 → TRL4)
The two operational solutions dealt with the objective for enlarging the scope of multiple remote tower services. Solution PJ.05-02 reached a V3 maturity level at the end of this project, solution PJ.05-03 as planned a V2 maturity level, whereas V3 level is to be reached at the end of next R&D phase. Technological solution PJ.05-05 focused on enhanced automatic provision of MET and reached TRL4 maturity level.
To achieve these results over the project run-time, concept and requirements were elaborated with suppliers and operational experts and fixed in the OSED and TS reports. The respective validations exercises for the operational solutions were prototyped and designed as real-time simulations, which made it possible to stress different hazards and technical degradation without any risk compared to active mode trials, to have repeatable traffic scenarios and test subjects actively providing control to measure situation awareness and workload and assess acceptance to test the feasibility of the concept and its adapted procedures.
The real-time simulations were supplemented with one shadow mode exercise to investigate technical feasibility related to the visual relay and presentation of three aerodromes.
Trials were performed at different locations based on different prototypes in order to address and complement the different validation objectives. Overall workshops on solution level with ATCOs from all validation exercises were used as add-on debriefings to get more consolidated operational feedback to the validation reports, in particular for the Safety and Human Performance report in part II and part IV.