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Airport Traffic Conflict Detection and Resolution Algorithm EvaluationTwo conflict detection and resolution (CD&R) algorithms for the terminal maneuvering area (TMA) were evaluated in a fast-time batch simulation study at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center. One CD&R algorithm, developed at NASA, was designed to enhance surface situation awareness and provide cockpit alerts of potential conflicts during runway, taxi, and low altitude air-to-air operations. The second algorithm, Enhanced Traffic Situation Awareness on the Airport Surface with Indications and Alerts (SURF IA), was designed to increase flight crew awareness of the runway environment and facilitate an appropriate and timely response to potential conflict situations. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the performance of the aircraft-based CD&R algorithms during various runway, taxiway, and low altitude scenarios, multiple levels of CD&R system equipage, and various levels of horizontal position accuracy. Algorithm performance was assessed through various metrics including the collision rate, nuisance and missed alert rate, and alert toggling rate. The data suggests that, in general, alert toggling, nuisance and missed alerts, and unnecessary maneuvering occurred more frequently as the position accuracy was reduced. Collision avoidance was more effective when all of the aircraft were equipped with CD&R and maneuvered to avoid a collision after an alert was issued. In order to reduce the number of unwanted (nuisance) alerts when taxiing across a runway, a buffer is needed between the hold line and the alerting zone so alerts are not generated when an aircraft is behind the hold line. All of the results support RTCA horizontal position accuracy requirements for performing a CD&R function to reduce the likelihood and severity of runway incursions and collisions.
Document ID
20160013341
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Technical Publication (TP)
Authors
Jones, Denise R.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Chartrand, Ryan C.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Wilson, Sara R.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Commo, Sean A.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Ballard, Kathryn M.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Otero, Sharon D.
(Northrop Grumman Technical Services Hampton, VA, United States)
Barker, Glover D.
(Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
November 9, 2016
Publication Date
August 1, 2016
Subject Category
Air Transportation And Safety
Report/Patent Number
NF1676L-23189
NASA/TP-2016-219334
L-20643
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 999182.02.40.07.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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