Optimization and simulation based approach for an arrival and departure manager tool

Abstract : This work proposes a methodology for developing an airport arrival and departure manager tool. This methodology employs optimization together with simulation techniques for improving the robustness of the solution. An arrival and departure manager tool is intended to help air traffic controllers in managing the inbound and outbound traffic without incurring in conflicts or delays. In this context, air traffic controllers need to have a tool able to help them to make the right decisions in a short time horizon. The main decisions taken in the present methodology for each aircraft are: entry time and entry speed in the airspace and push back time at the gate. The objective of this methodology is to have a smooth flow of aircraft both in the airspace and on the ground. Preliminary tests were made using Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport as case study, and the results show that conflicts were sensibly reduced.