URET Problem Analysis, Resolution and Ranking (PARR) and Flow Management Applications Dan Kirk October 21, 1999 © 1999 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. This is the copyright work of The MITRE Corporation and was produced for the U.S. Government under Contract Number DTFA01-93-C and is subject to Federal Acquisition Regulation Clause , Rights in Data-General, Alt. III (JUN 1987) and Alt. IV (JUN 1987). No other use other than that granted to the U.S. Government, or to those acting on behalf of the U.S. Government, under that Clause is authorized without the express written permission of The MITRE Corporation. For further information, please contact The MITRE Corporation, Contracts Office, 1820 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean, VA 22102, (703)

2 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Overview URET Problem Analysis, Resolution, Ranking (PARR) – Potential Benefits, Focus, Overview – Aircraft/Aircraft, Aircraft/Airspace Problem Resolution Resolution Dimensions, Ranking, Displays, Resolution Implementation, FY00 Plans Traffic Flow Management Application – Categories of Resolution Aids – Flow Instruction Resolutions – PARR Metering Resolutions – Resolution Aids for the Construction of Flow Instructions PARR Demo

3 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation PARR Potential Benefits (1 of 2) Controller workload reduction – Conflict resolution, data entry made easier – Strategic, conflict-free resolutions reduce downstream workload Improved probe performance, as resolution maneuvers are more frequently entered into the automation Safety benefits – Helps to avoid tactical maneuvers – Improved situational awareness – Controller informed of both Dimension/directions that worked Dimension/directions that did not work

4 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation PARR Potential Benefits (2 of 2) Increased User Benefits – More time for controllers to address User Requests – Improved ability to reduce restrictions, handle increased traffic – Greater efficiency of strategic, optimized resolutions AAS cost/benefits study (1988) for a full conflict resolution capability (AERA 2) – Benefit estimated at ~$2.5 Billion (1988 dollars) increment over conflict probe alone, spread over 20 years

5 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Focus of PARR Effort Speed of use – Ability to quickly initiate, evaluate, and implement resolutions Conflicts automatically removed on implementation of a conflict-free resolution – Minimized amount of trackball movement Graphical displays for resolution evaluation, situational awareness enhancement – Multiple conflict-free resolution options made available – Displays applicable to both R- and D-sides

6 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation PARR Overview Started FY98, utilizes AERA 2 evaluation software written in 80s and early 90s Searches for conflict-free trajectories – Addresses multiple Aircraft-to-Aircraft (AC/AC) and/or Aircraft-to-Airspace (AC/AS) problems – Meter Fix Time (MFT) problem resolution discussed later Each resolution maneuvers one aircraft – A set of resolutions is generated for each involved aircraft Maximum number of resolutions per aircraft – 2 Lateral (left and right turn maneuvers) – 2 Altitude (above and below maneuvers) – 1 Speed change (either increase or decrease)

7 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation PARR Resolution Dimensions - Vertical Rule-based; uses aircraft transitioning status, planned maneuver times, conflict start/end Increase Altitude Decrease Altitude Early Climb TOC MSP = BOC Step Climb MSP BOC Step Early Descend MSP = TOD BOD Extend Climb MSP TOC Early Extend Climb TOC MSP = BOC Step Late Descend TOD BOD MSP MSP = Maneuver Start Point; BOC = Bottom of Climb; TOC = Top of Climb; TOD =Top of Descent; BOD = Bottom of Descent

8 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Resolution Dimensions - Lateral (1 of 3) Calculates wedges of prohibited angles (not used in all cases), intervals of prohibited return-to- route distances on off-leg – Generates point-to-point (PTP) resolutions for RNAV aircraft Pass Around 2 Cut Corner 1

9 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Resolution Dimensions - Lateral (2 of 3) – Generates VOR resolutions for aircraft with other equipage MSP = Maneuver Start Point (not generally a VOR) ABC DEF Direct to Downstream VOR MSP 1 ABC DEF Direct from VOR to Radial Originating from VOR on Original Route MSP 3 ABC DEF Direct from VOR to Original Route MSP 2 ABC DEF UVW Reroute Through One VOR MSP 4

10 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Resolution Dimensions - Lateral (3 of 3) – VOR Resolutions (concluded) ABC DEF Vectors MSP 7 ABC DEF Heading Off Route Followed By Direct to VOR MSP 6 ABC DEF UVW XYZ Reroute Through Two VORs MSP 5

11 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Resolution Dimensions - Longitudinal Longitudinal (speed) - calculates wedges of prohibited airspeed, similar to lateral T = 0 Time Speed Pilot's Filed Speed Schedule Resolution Speed Speed Change - Increase T = 0 Time Speed Pilot's Filed Speed Schedule Resolution Speed Speed Change - Decrease

12 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Ranking Derived from extensive AERA Team evaluations Resolutions categorized according to alert status – No alerts > blue (airspace) alert only > yellow (but no red) alerts > at least one red alert If an alert, resolutions within a category are ranked according to the earliest conflict start If no alert, ranking factors include – Maneuver dimension/direction, flight phase, cruise altitude, maneuvering status, sector of control, time of arrival impact, number of flight levels changed, time at interim altitude, magnitude and duration of speed change

13 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation URET Graphic Plan Display, PARR Resolution Display Menu PARR may be initiated from: The Resolve button (after ACID selection), or The DB Alert Indicator

14 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Resolution Display Menu Resolution Dimension/Direction Selected Resolution (green, ranked #2) Go up/down in resolution # displayed Trial Plan ID and clearance text of selected resolution Button function text appears after ~1 sec dwell Character underline gives keyboard shortcut Aircraft ID (plus sector # if controlled by another sector) Icon groups ImplementView Control Resolution Matrix (AC vs. maneuver type) Clearance Text of Selected Resolution Organization:

15 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Resolution Search Summary (for function evaluation) Shows all attempted trial plans

16 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Go up/down in altitude Vertical Profile Display (1 of 2) PARR resolutions Use –Enhanced situational understanding –Evaluation of PARR vertical resolutions –Quick determination of conflict-free altitudes In this example –Current Plan altitude is FL330 –Trial Plans at other altitudes from FL350 - FL260 created and probed (similar to QTP) Altitude menu similar to URET DU Color-coding of menu entries previously done by NASA PARR resolution status/selection Clearance

17 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Vertical Profile Display (2 of 2) Selection of FL310 shows conflict ACIDCursor dwell over COA1656 ID shows its vertical profile

18 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Resolution Implementation PARR resolutions are complete – May contain future actions, e.g., resumption of climb Goals – A conflict-free PARR resolution, when implemented, removes the URET alert Reconformance may cause an alert recurrence, which should be displayed; future action may now be invalid – Keep the Host Computer System (HCS) as up-to-date as possible Not all PARR resolutions can be formatted for immediate, complete HCS entry Issues, e.g., with HCS entry and controller notification of future action, are being addressed

19 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation FY00 Plans Focus on preparing for field evaluations in FY01 – Architecture, efficiency improvements, testing Support FAA Research Management Plan Update Requirements, Functional Description docs New Operation Description, Transition Plan Continue lab evaluations Software development to include – Treatment of resolution implementation issues – Probed Direct-to-Fix Menu similar to Vertical Menu – Ranking update based on last AERA Team inputs – Test support software

20 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Traffic Flow Management (TFM): Categories of Resolution Aids Resolution aids to assist in the construction of the TFM Flow Instructions, e.g., to – Generate trial plans which are conflict-free, given a specified group of aircraft and flow-constrained area – Determine the aircraft group, given flow constraints and objective function Sector resolution aids to assist in implementing TFM Flow Instructions, e.g., metering, reroutes

21 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Resolution Aids to Assist in the Construction of the TFM Flow Instructions Collaborative Routing Coordination Tool (CRCT) Display

22 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Resolution Types/Dimensions for Flow Instructions (1 of 2) Flow Instructions consist of Criteria and Constraint Example Flow Instruction: – Criteria: Z LAX TRFC ENTERING SCTRS 71 OR 72 – Constraint: RTE VIA CIM J96 DRK J10 TNP LAX Entry in Sectors 71 or 72 between Z is avoidable – Resolutions that allow an exemption from the Flow Instruction are termed a criteria-based resolution

23 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation Constraint-based Resolutions On Airways/No Directs Specified Sequence of Route Segments/Fixes Flow-restricted Area Altitude Meter Fix Time Miles/Minutes in Trail Speed Limit Criteria-based Resolutions Time Altitude Line Crossed (e.g., Boundary) Airspace Direction of Flight Route Fix Aircraft ID Arrival/Departure Airport Overflight/Arrival/Departure Performance Class User Class LateralLongitudinalVertical Applicability Criteria Immutable Constraint Types Dimension Resolution Types/Dimensions for Flow Instructions (2 of 2)

24 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation PARR Meter Fix Time Resolutions (1 of 3) Ft. Worth scenario; TMA Meter Fix Times Optional display of URET-calculated delay times for comparison Metering data for Trial Plans is included in the URET Plans Display Selection initiates PARR

25 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation PARR Meter Fix Time Resolutions (2 of 3) When initiated from the Meter List, PARR – Generates a trial plan that meets the Meter Fix Time – Searches for modifications to resolve any objections (aircraft or airspace conflicts) in the trial plan – Generate maneuvers that first reduce speed when delay is required Once a minimum speed is reached, lateral delay added Evaluation issues – Display of metering information – PARR metering resolutions Utility, operational acceptability

26 Copyright 1999, The MITRE Corporation PARR Meter Fix Time Resolutions (3 of 3) Initial lab results indicate (for D-side app) – Metering data is useful on the D-side Separate list is preferable – Separate TMA, URET delay values may be useful if TMA values are for direct-to-meter fix maneuver, and URET values are for filed route – PARR metering resolutions Laterals first need speed reduction, then add lateral delay if necessary (Done) Ability to model specified speeds on descent (Done) Need to address issue of multiple, sequential aircraft maneuvers for delay absorption (Open)