Trajectory Clustering for Metroplex Operations

Terminal operations that contain two or more closely-spaced airports and require significant interdependencies between the operations of those airports are referred to as metroplex operations. Examples of the interdependent techniques used by today’s metroplexes include: coordinated design of routings, synchronization of runway configurations across multiple airports, application of altitude restrictions to deconflict flows between airports, the creation of alternate procedures to avoid potential route interactions, and procedures for coordinating the timing of the release of flights from one or more airports. Research into future dynamic metroplex airspace (DMA) operations is investigating optimization methods to utilize metroplex airspace more efficiently in response to fluctuating arrival and departure demand to each of the metroplex airports. Quantifying the benefits of DMA is a necessary step in the research. The motivation behind this work is the need to provide an apple-to-apple comparison between today’s metroplex operations and future DMA operations. Trajectory clustering techniques using historical traffic data have been developed to determine the as-flown route structures in today’s metroplex airspace. These route structures provide insight into the deconfliction of flows through spatial separation (vertical and lateral). Additionally, the route structures have been utilized in a fast-time simulation to measure today’s flight efficiency metrics to enable comparison with future DMA operations.