Passenger object data service for end-to-end trajectory based operations

In the current Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) concept, the agreed trajectory between airspace user and ANSP is executed solely based on ATC constraints (level/lateral position and CT A). However, many other constraints can affect the trajectory due to passenger processes that take place before and after a flight (movement along the terminal to the gate, connections, reassignment to other flights, baggage processes, etc). In addition, airport terminal bottlenecks that happen as a result of network disruptions are not forecasted and thus incur in further unpredicted delays in other trajectories. These processes are transparent to the entire 4D Trajectory process and are thus absorbed by airspace users and airports. This leads to an opacity of the passenger-related business processes in the TBO concept, and thus to an unmeasurable uncertainty in the ability to comply with agreed trajectories. As a result, agreed trajectories are sub-optimal from the business point of view and are expected to require renegotiations shortly before (or during) the flight. New technology paradigms such as wireless sensor networks, Big Data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence are fueling the Internet of Things (IoT) revolution as they become increasingly widespread, affordable, and based on open standards. The way to manage data is changing, as they can now support systems capable of generating large volumes of statistically relevant data on the current and future status of connected assets. For the air transport industry, examples of such assets can be airport facilities, fleets and vehicles, and above all, passengers. This white paper proposes the conceptual framework of a new data service that leverages the current capabilities of AI and IoT to: a) Measure the current state of airport terminal passenger flows, and b) Predict future states so that impact to air operations can be quantified. This service is proposed as an enabler for ATM operations to extend the scope and stability of TBO. A design of data structures and exchange models is described, and next steps for concept proofing and implementation are proposed.