Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming for Aircraft Conflict Avoidance by Sequentially Applying Velocity and Heading Angle Changes

Abstract : We consider the problem of aircraft conflict avoidance in Air Traffic Management systems. Given an initial configuration of a number of aircraft sharing the same airspace, the main goal of conflict avoidance is to guarantee that a minimum safety distance between each pair of aircraft is always respected during their flights. We consider aircraft separation achieved by heading angle deviations, and propose a mixed 0-1 nonlinear optimization model, that is then combined with another one which is based on aircraft speed regulation. A two-step solution approach is proposed, where the two models are sequentially solved using a state-of-the-art mixed-integer nonlinear programming solver. Numerical results validate the proposed approach and clearly show the benefit of combining the two considered separation maneuvers.