Effects of Wind and Trajectory Uncertainty in a 4D Trajectory Management Interface

Bringing 4D Air Traffic Control Closer To Reality

Master thesis (2020)

Authors

M.M. Ottenhoff Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

Max Mulder (supervisor 1)
C. Borst (supervisor 1)
Ferdinand Dijkstra Air Traffic Control The Netherlands (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
Copyright: © 2020 Matthijs Ottenhoff
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Published Date

26-02-2020

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

As a result of the current evolution in the ATM system, a fundamental shift in the ATC work domain is foreseen from ad-hoc tactical to more strategic, 4D (i.e., space and time) trajectory management. Both the SESAR programme in Europe
and the NextGen programme in the US envision a central role for the human operator, to be aided by high-level automated decision support tools. In an attempt to prototype such support tools, a 4D trajectory management interface was previously designed and experimentally validated. To improve on the maturity of this concept, effects of wind and trajectory uncertainty were integrated into the interface in this present work. Using six professional controllers, the redesigned interface was evaluated in a realistic 4D inbound traffic peak scenario within the Dutch airspace, where small control spaces require a mixed tactical-strategic form of ATC. Results indicated that operators were able to successfully combine conflict and arrival time management in a highly complex traffic scenario despite the added display complexity, although further research will be needed to confirm these findings in a statistically relevant context.