We propose a network of High-Volume TubeShape Sectors (HTS) which is stretched between congested city pairs as a more efficient system for organizing and managing the aircraft flow, into and out of the large airports. One can think of this network as analogous to the system of interstate highways with passing lanes, breakdown areas, onramps and off-ramps, all designed to quickly move as much traffic as possible. This network would maximize the airspace throughput by more efficiently transporting aircraft, into and out of the congested airports. We apply visualization techniques to classify the current air traffic into different layers based on the demand profiles and route structure between origin and destination (OD) pairs. We also model the air traffic as flow of a fluid, where aircraft are the particles of the fluid. Velocity vectors for small volumes of the airspace are calculated as resultant of the velocity vectors for individual aircraft. Accordingly, we construct vector fields of the fluid velocity. Analysis of the routing structure and vector fields' topology assists us to determine the geometry and location of potential HTS.
We present initial design of NextGen flow corridors and provide examples of corridor building blocks. We discuss important factors to consider when designing the shape and dimensions of corridor building blocks. In addition, we use existing procedures for Area Navigation (RNAV) routes as a basis for developing operational procedures to implement flow corridor operations. Sample procedures are presented to cover the role of pilots, controllers, or other Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), as well as the capabilities and information each party has to receive to perform the described procedures. Finally, required displayed functions for pilot and controller are discussed and illustrated in the context of selected scenarios. The work we present in this article is intended to be used for design and development of Human-In-The-Loop studies for corridors proof of concept.
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