Optimization of Aircraft Operations on Airport Surface

Abstract

This study presents the elaboration of an airport surface simulator using the output data of a first come first served (FCFS) planner to simulate the movement of these aircraft on the surface. Different scenarios of conflictual situations in airport surface traffic are analyzed and classified. A conflict detection and resolution algorithm is implemented to preserve the recommended separation distance. The simulator has been tested with a deployment case at Mohammed V International Airport involving the use of 70 aircrafts. In the absence of conflict detection and resolution, various conflict situations are identified. Once the conflict detection and resolution algorithm is used to manage the traffic, three prioritization strategies are implemented and the number of delayed aircraft and overall delays are compared. From the results of this prioritization based on time or distance remaining, what is more interesting is the choice of the detection algorithm rather than the minimization of the delay for each given situation.