Agent-Based Modelling of an Airport’s Ground Surface Movement Operation

Understanding the principles and mechanisms of decentralised control

Master thesis (2018)

Authors

T.E.H. Noortman Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

Alexei Sharpanskykh (supervisor 1)
M. Tielrooij (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
Copyright: © 2018 Timo Noortman
Schiphol Resilience Agent-Based Modelling and Simulation Complex adaptive systems Air Traffic Control Decentralized control Airport Operations Aircraft taxiing
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Published Date

25-05-2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

Decentralised air traffic control shifts decision making to a local level, allowing decentralised controllers to focus on solving local conflicts. Since decentralised controllers have accurate local information at their disposal, they can adapt quicker and more efficiently to changing conditions. Consequently, it is suggested that the dynamics of an airport’s ground operation are better managed when using decentralised control. To establish an understanding of the mechanisms of decentralised control, an agent-based simulation model is designed and applied to the actual ground operation at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. By assessing the emergent behaviour of decentralised control to the actual ground operation managed by centralised control, insights are acquired in terms of the routing strategies, needs, and characteristics of decentralised control.