A Simulation for a Short Takeoff and Landing System Traffic Analysis

Abstract

A model has been developed to simulate an urban short takeoff and landing (STOL) system. It was designed as a tool for the evaluation of flight hardware and also to provide insight into the specialized nature of an urban transportation system such as the one envisioned for the Northeast Corridor. The actions of aircraft are treated in the high level of detail characteristic of an urban shuttle system with its constraints and limitations. Considerations included: 1) variable passenger demands, 2) dispatching decisions, 3) takeoff and airspace regulations, 4) variations in interfering aircraft traffic, and 5) off-corridor services. The implementation allows for simulation and analysis of aircraft and passenger movements and the consequent interactions. Output is generated in terms of the realistic and useful figures of cost, revenue, and systems performance needed to evaluate each phase of the STOL operation. The model was written in the general purpose simulation system language.