Reliability Analysis of an Air Traffic Network: From Network Structure to Transport Function

Abstract

To scientifically evaluate the reliability of air traffic networks, a definition of air traffic network reliability is proposed in this paper. Calculation models of the connectivity reliability, travel-time reliability, and capacity reliability of the air traffic network are constructed based on collected historical data, considering the current status and the predicted future evolution trends. Considering the randomness and fuzziness of factors affecting reliability, a comprehensive evaluation model of air traffic networks based on the uncertainty transformation model is established. Finally, the reliability of the US air traffic network is analyzed based on data published by the Transportation Statistics Bureau of the US Department of Transportation. The results show that the connectivity reliability is 0.4073, the capacity reliability is 0.8300, the travel-time reliability is 0.9180, and the overall reliability evaluated is “relatively reliable”. This indicates that although the US structural reliability is relatively low, the US air traffic management is very efficient, and the overall reliability is strong. The reliability in nonpeak hours is much higher than that in peak hours. The method can identify air traffic network reliability efficiently. The main factors affecting reliability can be found in the calculation process, and are beneficial for air traffic planning and management. The empirical analysis also reflects that the evaluation model based on the uncertainty transformation model can transform the quantitative data of network structure and traffic function into the qualitative language of reliability.

The Construction of an Aircraft Control Multilayer Network and Its Robustness Analysis

“…Besides, the characteristics of air trafc networks [19] and air trafc situation networks [20,21] have also been studied based on complex network theory. From the perspective of network structure, Li et al [22] analyze the reliability of an air trafc network. Scholars have also studied the European air transport network [23] and the Chinese air route network [24].…”

Tracing the spatial‐temporal evolution dynamics of air traffic systems using graph theories

“…Apart from delays, the work in Ref. [20] investigated the reliability of air traffic systems from the viewpoint of complex networks, while the work in Ref. [21] applied dynamic weighted network models to measure the air traffic complexity.…”

Assess the Impacts of Discount Policies on the Reliability of a Stochastic Air Transport Network

“…According to the proposed empirical analysis, the author provided suggestions for reliability improvement. Li et al proposed a comprehensive model to evaluate the connectivity, capacity, and travel-time reliabilities of air traffic networks [12]. The affecting factors with their fuzziness and randomness also were considered and ranked.…”