Scheduling heuristics for on-board sequential air conflict solving

Abstract

The resolution of conflicts between n aircraft is highly combinational and cannot be optimally solved using classical mathematical optimization techniques. Using a priority order to solve a n-aircraft conflict is much easier but the solution is not optimal. FACES (free-flight autonomous coordinated en route solver) is a model for coordinated on-board sequential conflict solving. In this project, conflict-free trajectories are obtained by applying elementary maneuvers to each aircraft, sequentially, according to some priority order. In this paper, a comparative study on a set of proposed priority heuristics to provide a suitable priority order is presented, and aggregated heuristics are compared according to some criteria. The conflict solver FACES using heuristics is tested in en-route upper airspace within an air traffic simulator using real traffic data.