Precision Arrival Scheduling for Tactical Reconfiguration

Abstract

This research adapts the concept of precision arrival scheduling to accommodate reconfiguration operations between two sets of fixed arrival routes modeled for Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Integrated fixed path routing from en-route to runways was modeled for ORD's top two peak traffic configurations, as well as transition routing between the two configurations. A first-come-first-served multi-point scheduler was adapted to the reconfiguration problem by prioritizing the rescheduling of aircraft within the terminal airspace at the time of reconfiguration notification. Arrival rescheduling was then tested for a range of arrival rates and reconfiguration notification lead-times in fasttime simulation. Reconfigurations with lead-times as short as 10 minutes at a nominal static configuration arrival rate (~25 arrivals per quarter hour) could be accommodated with little impact to throughput. However, as lead-time shortened below 25 minutes, individual aircraft efficiency quickly degraded due to extra flight time at lower altitude and speed. In general, first-come-first-served arrival scheduling on fixed routing for this sample reconfiguration problem is promising if at least 10-15 minutes lead-time is given before the reconfiguration is in effect.