Synthesis of conflict-free aircraft flight trajectories using multi-criteria dynamic programming

Abstract

The paper discusses the problem of flight trajectory synthesis that is conducted to prevent potential conflict situations between two aircraft in air traffic. A method of multi-objective sequential synthesis of conflict-free flight trajectories is developed. This method provides the synthesis of Pareto conflict-free trajectories using multi-criteria dynamic programming and selection of the optimal trajectory. The paper also considers the principles of discretization concerning states and controls to apply dynamic programming. An analysis of the proposed method is performed using computer simulation.

Effectiveness of Conflict Resolution Methods in Air Traffic Management

“…When a potential loss of separation of one against the other aircraft is predicted, such aircraft have to be re-routed by safe systems and reliable methods [33]. Loss of separation (LOS) between aircraft or a conflict occurs whenever specified separation minima between those aircraft are breached, i.e., when they move towards each other, and it is predicted that they will violate their protected zones related to standard horizontal separation (usually 5 nm) and/or vertical separation (usually 1000 ft) [19,20,34]. The problem to be analyzed so as to assure specified separation between aircraft when both planes fly en route and a potential LOS at a specified time has been identified.…”

“…The problems presented above resulted in the development of the concept of FRA [16][17][18], independent of the existing air network, in which the flight path depends on user preferences, i.e., creating flexibility which most often comes down to the flight on the shortest route-from the entry/starting point to the exit/endpoint of the designated FRA [19][20][21][22]. This solution has many advantages.…”