An Algorithmic Approach for Airspace Flow Programs

Abstract

An Airspace Flow Program is a Traffic Flow Management (TFM) strategy for controlling the departure time and route selection of a set of aircraft constrained by en route airspace capacity constraints (e.g., weather). The concept extends current airport Ground Delay Program (GDP) and Flow Constrained Area (FCA) procedures. A routing and scheduling algorithm is presented that includes ground delay, route selection, and airborne holding as decision variables for departing and en route flights, and, like the current GDP resource allocation algorithm, aligns with a Collaborative Decision Making philosophy. A dynamic FCA capacity-estimation algorithm uses weather forecast information to produce time-varying entry and exit points as well as maximum flow rates through FCAs. Integration of these algorithms using a network representation of the National Airspace System enables assessment of the value of improved weather forecast accuracy and provides insights into the nature of robust TFM initiatives. Results are illustrated using an east coast severe weather scenario.