Abstract

Although pilots are often supported by signage, markings and lighting when taxiing on the airport surface, navigation and monitoring remain workload intense tasks even in good weather conditions. Radio communication is near capacity limits on many airports today resulting in waiting times and delay. Apart from well-known safety issues this also constitutes a negative impact on the environment. The European aviation research program SESAR addressed this problem and came up with a solution: A new surface traffic management concept proposes the automated use of Airfield Ground Lighting with individually switched green taxiway centerline lights indicating the path to be followed. This paper presents official validation results indicating that SESAR developed a safer, quicker and greener surface traffic management concept. Document type: Part of book or chapter of book

Abstract

WOS: 000330151300007 Purpose - The aim of this study is to identify the nodes where congestion occurs in the manoeuvring area of a large-scale airport and to provide appropriate suggestions for improvement. Design/methodology/approach - To investigate the air traffic flow in a highly complex system such as an airport manoeuvring area, a two-stage method based on fast- and real-time simulation techniques is applied. The first stage involves the analysis with fast- and real-time simulations of a baseline model created to determine the congestion points. Based on the analysis, improvements to be performed in the layout of the manoeuvring area are proposed. In the second stage, alternative scenarios implementing these improvements are generated and evaluated in a fast-time simulation environment. Based on the results of simulations of different runway configurations, the main areas of congestion in the baseline airport model are determined. Congestion nodes are identified in the departure queue points and in the taxiway system. To mitigate congestion at these points, three alternative models comprising taxiway and fast-exit taxiway reconfigurations are tested using the fast-time simulation technique. The alternative solution found to be the best in these tests is selected for further testing in real-time simulations. Findings - It is shown that the solution would result in an increase in the number of hourly operations and a significant decrease in total ground delays. When conducting the studies needed to identify congestion and design improvements, simulation techniques save both expense and time. Although fast-time simulations are usually adequate for identifying solutions, when critical configurations for the airport are considered, it is shown that it is necessary to also test the results of the fast-time simulations in real-time simulations. Research limitations/implications - The effects of meteorological events, such as rain, fog and snow, etc. are ignored in the simulations. Ground movements in manoeuvring areas are significantly affected by the runways used. Consequently, to enable a comprehensive evaluation in the study, three alternative runway use scenarios are examined. Originality/value - This study utilizes a combination of fast- and real-time simulation techniques to identify the points where congestion occurs in the manoeuvring areas of large-scale airports and to find solutions to minimize the congestion. This approach attempts to combine advantages of both techniques while reducing their shortcomings. No study is found in the literature using both of these techniques together for the capacity analysis of airport manoeuvring areas. Anadolu University Scientific Research Projects Committee [BAP-1001F37] This study is supported by Anadolu University Scientific Research Projects Committee (BAP-1001F37).