1. Air Traffic ControlDecision Support Toolsfor Noise Mitigation Leonard Tobias NASA Ames Research Center Airport Noise Symposium San Diego February 2001

2. Introduction Decision support tools (DSTs) to aid air traffic controllers in increasing capacity have been developed by NASA. Can DSTs which address both capacity and noise be developed?

3. Outline • Center-TRACON Automation System Decision Support Tools Overview • NASA Quiet Aircraft Technology Program • Decision Support Tools for Noise Mitigation

4. Center-TRACON Automation System(CTAS) • The foundation of CTAS is a sophisticated trajectory prediction algorithm. • Accurate trajectory prediction combined with expert rules generate advisories displayed to controllers through graphical user interfaces • Adaptable to controller preferences & local airspace procedures • FAA deploying CTAS (TMA, FAST) at many locations nationwide

5. The Air Traffic Management System Free Flight Planner Expedite Departure Path Tool Center/TRACON Automation System Surface Management System Surface Management System

6. AAL1109 18R MD80 2 H EGF650 18R SF34 3 H < > EGF423 18R B737 H100 DAL341 18R B757 1 H H DAL1105 18R A320 5S210 H 18R Final Approach Spacing Tool (FAST)Operational Concept FAST provides terminal area arrival controllers with Passive Functionality • runway assignments • landing sequences Active Functionality • heading advisories • speed advisories • trajectory preview Future Functionality • altitude advisories • FMS clearances

7. Expedite Departure Path (EDP) Conflict-Free Climb ONT Sequencing, Conflict-Free Vector/Speed Advisories LAX Departure Fix SNA

8. Quiet Aircraft Technology (QAT) • Noise impact is critical environmental issue, impacts growth of commercial aviation • QAT started FY01, continues through FY05, led by Bill Willshire, NASA LaRC • Major components: Airframe System Noise Reduction, Engine System Noise Reduction, Community Noise Impact • Within Community Noise Impact, ATM issues related to noise mitigation will be considered

9. Why Controller Aids for Noise Mitigation are Needed • Controllers implement noise abatement procedures without aids -in periods of low traffic demand -when procedures are uniform • Controller aids required -in high density operations -in handling mixes of traffic -when mitigation procedures aren’t uniform

10. DSTs to aid controllers in keeping traffic flows over low population density areas • Kkeep close to preferential flight paths • Rreduce need for vectoring Logan International Airport

11. Inter-arrival Spacing DSTMIT Grant: Prof. J.-P. Clarke • Goal- accommodate variety of approaches under moderate to heavy traffic conditions • Issues -Difficult to predict future a/c position -High controller workload to mix traffic -Develop DST (characterize uncertainty, establish controls, develop controller interface)

12. 3° Decelerating Approach • ssingle segment • aaircraft intercepts segment at 6,000 ft at high speed • Aaircraft decelerates during descent at idle thrust • Aachieves approach speed at 500-1,000 ft AGL • Ddoes not require additional displays

13. Departure Noise Avoidance Planner (DNAP): Noise Models Integrated w. CTASSBIR Study: Metron (on-going) Issues: • Integration w. CTAS tools • Level of detail of noise model for real-time operation • Effective noise impact planning horizon

14. DNAP VARIANT GENERATION • CTAS generates 3D region of • airspace • DNAP populates region w. • variant trajectories • DNAP evaluates variants • for noise impact • DNAP returns evaluated • variants

15. Concluding remarks Noise mitigation controller DSTs will be • developed to aid with vectoring & spacing • integrated with capacity-focused tools • evaluated in real-time simulations for high density areas