Optimization-Based Performance Assessment on 4D Trajectory-Based Operations with Track Data

The enhancement of air traffic management (ATM) system performance by management of aircraft trajectories, commonly referred to as 4D trajectorybased operations (TBO), is one of the key technologies in the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau's "Collaborative Actions for Renovation of Air Traffic Systems (CARATS)" plan. The release of "CARATS Open Data,"aircraft track data for all scheduled commercial instrument rule flights in Japan's en route airspace, has enabled the understanding of performance in present flight operations on a broad scale and assesses the potency of possible benefits toward a futuristic ATM system. This paper focuses on potential benefits in a 4D TBO system through operational performance on existing flight operations based on trajectory optimization. A trajectory optimization model developed by the authors is used to investigate the potential benefits by exerting the maximum performance of the aircraft in respect to highly regulated restrictions used in current flight procedures. Quantitative results show that weather conditions have a significant impact on conventional operational performance. Optimized results denote that substantial benefits could be obtained by more relaxed flight planning which vary according to arrival time assignment and weather conditions.