Generating user-preferred trajectories

The trajectory-based operations (TBO) concept is a cornerstone of the future ATM system. The OptiFrame project developed an optimisation framework for TBO, which assigns 4D trajectories to flights based on the stakeholders’ preferences and priorities. In other words, the OptiFrame approach incorporates the preferences and priorities of stakeholders in the design of the 4D trajectories.

These preferences were modelled by means of a multi-objective optimisation mathematical model that provides the capability of identifying the trade-offs between flight departure delays, flight efficiency, and flight route charges. In addition to visualising the listed trade-offs, the proposed approach offers the capability to analyse solutions at a microscopic level. Indeed, the project also looked in detail at alternative solutions , such as attributing values to the identified key performance indicators (KPI) for each airspace user and/or visualising the 4D trajectory as well as the values of the identified KPIs for each flight.

The project’s proposed approach raises the need for collaborative decision-making process that ensures convergence by all stakeholders towards a commonly-agreed solution.

Benefits

Better understanding of the trade-offs between departure delay, flight efficiency, and flight route charges

Project Members:  Lancaster University (Coordinator), Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), Eurocontrol, Consorzio Futuro in Ricerca (CFR)