The effects of Air Traffic Control sector design on the Solution Space Diagram

Abstract

Motivation -- Traffic complexity and workload in Air Traffic Control (ATC) are important factors in the design of procedures and ATC sectors. The Solution Space Diagram (SSD), which shows all possible conflict-free vectors for aircraft, has been proposed as a tool for assessing sector complexity. When considering the SSD for an aircraft, each neighbouring aircraft introduces a zone of conflict, the Forbidden Beam Zone (FBZ) on the SSD. The changes in these FBZ are systematically studied to increase understanding of the SSD usability in reducing workload and managing sector complexity. Research approach -- The following sector variables are investigated in this research; the intercept angle of streams of aircraft, aircraft speed and aircraft horizontal proximity. Matlab® simulations of two aircraft conditions are set up for a number of case studies with different sector variables. These are then compared using quantitative analysis using the SSD. Findings -- In this study it is assumed that a denser Solution Space results in a higher rating for the complexity factor. The results show that in certain cases, where other variables are fixed to certain values, larger intercept angle and horizontal proximity produces a less dense Solution Space. Speed changes lead to other typical changes, as higher speeds result in the FBZ being shifted outwards on the SSD. Research limitations -- The findings regarding the relation between the complexity metric and sector design should be validated by means of an experiment, to obtain the opinion of professional Air Traffic Controllers (ATCos). Take away message -- Previous researches have introduced the Solution Space as a method to determine airspace complexity and therefore ATCo workload (Hermes et al., 2009; D'Engelbronner, 2009 and Mercado, 2009). This research extends these studies through exploring the effects of air traffic sector design in a systematic fashion.