Sharing information in real time
The network operations plan (NOP) is a single window showing information in real time about the air traffic situation across the whole of Europe. Through the NOP, air navigation service providers, airlines, ground handlers, meteorological experts and airports can view the current situation and can coordinate their activities. Importantly, it connects the airports with the rest of the system by including capacity and operational data and shows where any likely pinch points might occur.
The SESAR Solution extends the collaborative NOP information structure to enable more data exchanges between the Network Manager and other partners in order to deliver greater operational efficiency. Additional automation tools support the process, and assist decision making and performance monitoring. The concept also uses system-wide information management (SWIM) to allow shared operational real-time decision making. The SESAR solution addressed three main aspects: the airport operations plan (AOP)-
NOP integration, the meteorological status monitoring and the network performance
monitoring.
Live trials in different locations looked at the feasibility and benefits of expanding the collaborative aspects of NOP, and the integration AOP-NOP, specifically by assessing the safety and technical feasibility of automatically updating controller displays when airspace users activate temporary airspace reservations in military airspace. The exercises aimed to identify the interoperability requirements between air traffic control, airspace users and the Network Manager.
Meanwhile, a series of shadow-mode exercises evaluated the use of the information sharing environment for
assessing the impact of advanced short-term air traffic flow capacity management (ATFCM) measures (STAMs) on network performance. The exercises are also validated the integration of weather information into the network - including meteorological forecasts - to improve tactical demand capacity balancing measures.
The SESAR Solution is available for industrialisation. The solution will be deployed across Europe.
Benefits
Increased ATC network capacity
Enhanced predictability
Improved planning allowing for optimised routes
Enhanced safety
Datapack