From business needs to field trials - a development of conflict resolution automation involving the controller

Abstract

New ATM concept developments have a significant impact on the role and responsibilities of air traffic controllers. The ATM system continues with the human as decision-maker. Automated tools can assist in the primary task of controllers, the detection and resolution of conflicts between aircraft. Automation has even greater significance when the existing route network is replaced with free routes, as conflicts are more difficult to detect and resolve. Through the ASA Programme, EUROCONTROL are developing tools that permit the controller to cope successfully with the new situation. The CORA (conflict resolution assistant) system detect conflicts, generate one or more conflict resolution advisories, i.e. maneuvers that one or more aircraft would have to execute in order to resolve the conflict, and display this information to the controller. CORA has been studied in the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre in Bretigny, France using a prototyping facility (eDEP1) and in simulations in the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands using the NLR ATC simulator (NARSIM). This paper presents the approach taken by the ASA Programme and the CORA project to develop an automated support tool/system; the results of studies and initial validation work; and outlines the future work planned in this area.