Animated visualization of spatial–temporal trajectory data for air-traffic analysis

With increasing numbers of flights worldwide and a continuing rise in airport traffic, air-traffic management is faced with a number of challenges. These include monitoring, reporting, planning, and problem analysis of past and current air traffic, e.g., to identify hotspots, minimize delays, or to optimize sector assignments to air-traffic controllers. To cope with these challenges, cyber worlds can be used for interactive visual analysis and analytical reasoning based on aircraft trajectory data. However, with growing data size and complexity, visualization requires high computational efficiency to process that data within real-time constraints. This paper presents a technique for real-time animated visualization of massive trajectory data. It enables (1) interactive spatio-temporal filtering, (2) generic mapping of trajectory attributes to geometric representations and appearance, and (3) real-time rendering within 3D virtual environments such as virtual 3D airport or 3D city models. Different visualization metaphors can be efficiently built upon this technique such as temporal focus+context, density maps, or overview+detail methods. As a general-purpose visualization technique, it can be applied to general 3D and 3+1D trajectory data, e.g., traffic movement data, geo-referenced networks, or spatio-temporal data, and it supports related visual analytics and data mining tasks within cyber worlds.     

Classification of air traffic control scenarios using decision trees: insights from a field study in terminal approach radar environment

Air traffic controllers are responsible for the safe, expeditious and orderly flow of the air traffic. Their training relies heavily on the use of simulators that can represent various normal and emergency situations. Accurate classification of air traffic scenarios can provide assistance towards a better understanding of how controllers respond to the complexity of a traffic scenario. To this end, we conducted a field study using qualified air traffic controllers, who participated in simulator sessions of terminal radar approach control in a variety of scenarios. The aim of the study was twofold, firstly to explore how decision trees and classification rules can be used for realistic classification of air traffic scenarios and secondly to explore which factors reflect better operational complexity. We applied machine learning methods to the data and developed decision trees and classification rules for these scenarios. Results indicated that decision trees and classification rules are useful tools in accurately categorizing scenarios and that complexity requires a larger set of predictors beyond simple aircraft counts. The derived decision trees and classification rules performed well in prediction, stability and interpretability. Practical benefits can be derived in the areas of operations and system design in the context of air traffic flow and capacity management systems.     

航空器轨迹预测技术研究综述

航空器轨迹预测是流量管理、冲突检测和解脱、航空器进场排序以及异常行为监测等空中交通管理技术的基础。关于航空器轨迹预测的研究产生了许多经典的方法和应用领域。对研究航迹预测问题的背景和意义进行概述,并从数据库、基础流程和预测关键技术三个方面介绍了有关航迹预测的基础知识。其中数据库包括航空器性能数据库、航空器监视数据库和气象数据库,基础流程包括准备、预测、更新和输出四个模块,预测关键技术总结并列举了状态估计模型、动力学模型和机器学习模型三类方法的典型模型。对航迹预测系统模型进行具体分析时,进一步列举三类方法的主要研究成果并归纳各类方法的特点。对航迹预测在空中交通管理中的具体应用进行分析,包括冲突检测、到达管理和流量管理等。总结并指出了目前航迹预测问题所面临的挑战和未来的发展方向。     

Comparing display symbology for an advanced air traffic controltower application

Describes experiments that compare air traffic controller performance with two different types of simulated airport radar display formats. The formats differed in the method of presenting aircraft radar returns: analog or digital symbols. Pre-experimental studies examined potential airport tower automation systems and the opinions of various system stakeholders about these automated systems, and then modeled airport operations to discern the impact of these systems on controller workload and airport congestion. Results from the earlier studies helped focus the experiments which concluded that the digital icon format is likely to be better than the analog format at helping controllers accomplish their duties in a timely manner     

基于HMM的车辆行驶状态实时判别方法研究

对交通视频车辆轨迹时序特征下的车辆行驶状态进行研究,提出了一种基于隐马尔科夫模型（Hidden Markov model,HMM）的车辆行驶状态实时判别方法.首先对轨迹序列进行了基于轨迹长度的去不完整轨迹序列、对车辆轨迹点序列的线 性平滑滤波和最小二乘线性拟合的预处理操作,保证了所获得轨迹序列的有效性;其次,提出一种基于车辆运行轨迹点序列方向角的车辆轨迹特征值表示方法和基于方向角区间划分的HMM观察值序列生成方法,该方法以方向角的区间变化来区分不同轨迹模式的特征;最后,采用多观察值序列下的Baum-Welch 算法训练得到相关交通场景轨迹模式类的最优HMM 参数,并通过实时获取车辆行驶轨迹段与相应模型的匹配,实现对车辆行驶状态的实时判别. 仿真实验验证了本文方法的有效性和稳定性.     

飞机相遇模型仿真工具的研究

飞机的自主控制方法是空管领域研究的重点,尤其是飞机自主控制中的碰撞避险系统。本文提出了基于贝叶斯网络的飞机相遇模型,并以此模型为基础生成随机的相遇仿真数据。在实现仿真的过程中,本文利用有限的中国民航飞机飞行数据,先仿真一架飞机的航迹,在此基础上仿真两架相遇飞机每秒的高度、速度、加速度、转角速率大小,利用飞机相遇模型来依概率产生模拟相遇数据。此仿真航迹是没有任何碰撞预警情况下的航迹,两架飞机在相距一定距离之外均不会自主做出回避。本文利用了Matlab作为开发平台。     

To Intervene or not to Intervene: The Dilemma of Management by Exception

Future air traffic management architectures propose to give aircraft more flight path autonomy and turn the air traffic controller into a manager of exceptions. This article reports on one experiment in a series of studies that empirically explored the cognitive work underlying management by exception in air traffic control. Active practitioners (controllers, pilots, dispatchers) were prepared on the rules of the envisioned system and presented with a series of future incidents, each of which they were required to jointly resolve. Management by exception turns out to trap human controllers in a double bind, where intervening early seems appealing but is difficult to justify (airspace throughput) and carry out (controller workload problems). Late interventions are just as difficult, since controllers will have to take over in the middle of a potentially challenging or deteriorating situation. Computerised decision support that flags exceptions migrates the decision criterion into a device, creating a threshold crossing that is typically set either too early or too late. This article lays out the intertwined trade-offs and dilemmas for the exception manager, and makes recommendations for cooperative human–machine architectures in future air traffic management.     

改进型空中交通流量预测算法的验证与实现

为了提升管制现场运行数据挖掘效率,改善现有空管流量预测系统存在系统结构与算法设计复杂性,提出一种基于空中交通管制自动化系统综合航迹数据和基础飞行数据交换报文处理的,能够实时修正航空器航迹4D剖面预测模型的流量预测算法。主要通过计划航迹和雷达航迹匹配关联算法模型以及利用航向角平面投影匹配算法提高流量预测的精确性。通过与当前主流的优秀算法对比和验证,方法能够全面、真实反映目标航迹当时运动态势和管制区域流量预测信息,工程实现较为简洁,具有一定的工程实践意义。     

The role of the air traffic controller in future air traffic management: an empirical study of active control versus passive monitoring

Proposals for air traffic management such as Free Flight call for a transfer of responsibility for separation between aircraft from air traffic controllers (ATCos) to pilots. Under many proposals, the role of the ATCo will change from one of active control to passive monitoring. The present study directly compared these types of control with respect to ATCo mental workload, conflict detection, and memory. Eighteen ATCos participated in an air traffic control simulation of Free Flight procedures under moderate and high traffic load. Dependent variables included accuracy and timeliness in detecting potential conflicts, accepting and handing off aircraft, mental workload (as assessed by a secondary task, heart rate variability, and subjective ratings), and memory for aircraft location. High traffic density and passive control both degraded conflict detection performance. Actual or potential applications of this research include the recommendation that designs for future air traffic management keep authority for separation of aircraft with the controller.     

Broadcast algorithms for detection and decentralized resolution of unsafe approach of airborne aircraft based on the force field method

A key direction in the modification of Russian air navigation system is the implementation of tools for supporting decision making both by controllers and pilots. This requires the development of new algorithms that take into account the improved provision with information and new principles and concepts of air traffic management (ATM). Algorithms for the detection and resolution of conflict situations between aircraft are proposed and justified. These algorithms are designed to support the crew under the conditions of self-separation.     

Objective Workload and Behavioural Response in Airport Radar Control Rooms

Previous research indicated that peak traffic and the duration of radio-communications were good predictors of behavioural response of air traffic controllers working in air route traffic control centres. In this study we investigated if these two measures of workload were generalisable to controllers (ATCs) working in radar facilities serving major airports. 3,110 observations were made on radar sectors at the 13 major radar control rooms in the U.S.A. A large number of air traffic variables and communication tasks were measured. Behavioural ratings were made by expert-observer ATC's. The results replicated previous findings that peak traffic and the duration of radio-communications functioned as behavioural stressors. Time monitoring and stand-by time also were found to predict behavioural responses. Careful consideration of these and other results led to the conclusion that peak traffic is the most generalisable environmental stressor for ATC's behaviour whereas the other workload measures are more correctly viewed as concomitants of the demand characteristics of ATC work.     

基于数据挖掘的四维飞行轨迹预测模型

为了解决传统的空气动力学模型在预测四维飞行轨迹上误差较大的问题，提出一种基于数据挖掘的预测模型。该模型挖掘历史飞行时间数据，从中找出影响飞行时间的因素，预测出下一次飞行的全程时间，然后从历史位置数据中分析得出飞机在每个采样周期点上的位置，实现完整的四维轨迹预测。仿真试验验证了该模型预测的准确性和可用性。     

Managing safety in the air traffic control terminal airspace

Cognition, Technology & Work - The air traffic control system is designed so that controllers are able to accept aircraft into their airspace and handoff aircraft exiting their airspace with...     

Applications of Digital Computers to Air Traffic Control in the United States

Digital computers are being applied in large numbers to air traffic control operations in the United States. By the mid-1970's, all U.S. en route traffic control centers and all busy terminals will be equipped with systems featuring digital computers which process flight plans and radar and beacon data into displays for air traffic controllers. Work is underway to further apply computers to such control functions as ground-based conflict prediction, sequencing and spacing, and flow control.     

Analysis of the performance characteristics of controllers’ strategies in en route air traffic control tasks

For addressing human factor issues in the air traffic control (ATC) domain, further comprehension of controllers’ working methods during actual work is required. The objective of the present research is to analyze the performance characteristics of control strategies, which can be a major means to manage a traffic situation and workload for controllers, by using our process visualization tool of ATC tasks called COMPASi (COMPAS in interactive mode/COMPAS: COgnitive system Model for simulating Projection-based behaviors of Air traffic controllers in dynamic Situations). The computer-based simulation using COMPASi has clearly demonstrated the performance differences in the types of control strategies derived from a high-fidelity human-in-the-loop simulation (HITLS) for safety, efficiency of completing ATC tasks, and fuel economy of aircraft in a specific situation, and also differences in their tolerance of situational variability. The analysis results have been supported by performance evaluations carried out by ATC training instructors. In addition, a comparative analysis between simulation results under several simulation conditions by COMPASi and evaluation results by the instructor has strongly implied that the tolerance for the variability of situations might be a major factor in selection of control strategies by a controller. These contributions of the present research may be useful for practical purposes such as further improvement of education and training for controllers.     

一类无冲突轨迹规划方案

在新一代空中交通管理自动化系统实施方案中,航迹规划模块在基于航迹的航空器运行过程中扮演着重要角色.为了在大流量、高密度和小间隔条件下获取多航空器无冲突轨迹,针对不同的航路空间分布结构,基于航路冲突点保护区竞争机制,构建了空域多航空器极大代数耦合模型和多航空器冲突预调配模型,根据管制间隔约束建立了模型输入、状态和输出之间的约束关系.采用调整航空器过冲突点时刻和初始放行时刻两种策略,提出了一种多航空器轨迹规划优化模型.算例分析表明,所提出的多航空器轨迹规划模型可行有效.     

Optimal horizontal guidance law for aircraft in the terminal area

The automation of many of the functions currently performed by the controllers and pilots is essential for a safe and efficient air traffic control (ATC) system. A major aspect of the overall ATC system is the guidance and flight control of aircraft. This paper deals with the horizontal guidance of aircraft in and near the terminal area. The problem of guiding an aircraft in minimum time from an arbitrary point to the outer marker is formulated as a nonlinear optimal control problem, and the control law solution is obtained by the application of the maximum principle. It is found that for some initial states the problem is singular. Furthermore, the extremal controls for this problem are not unique. Consequently, the optimal controls must be obtained on the basis of the value of the performance index. The control law is implemented in the form of a digital computer program which computes the optimal trajectory for arbitrary initial conditions.     

An analysis of relational complexity in an air traffic control conflict detection task

Theoretical analyses of air traffic complexity were carried out using the Method for the Analysis of Relational Complexity. Twenty-two air traffic controllers examined static air traffic displays and were required to detect and resolve conflicts. Objective measures of performance included conflict detection time and accuracy. Subjective perceptions of mental workload were assessed by a complexity-sorting task and subjective ratings of the difficulty of different aspects of the task. A metric quantifying the complexity of pair-wise relations among aircraft was able to account for a substantial portion of the variance in the perceived complexity and difficulty of conflict detection problems, as well as reaction time. Other variables that influenced performance included the mean minimum separation between aircraft pairs and the amount of time that aircraft spent in conflict.     

An analysis of relational complexity in an air traffic control conflict detection task

Theoretical analyses of air traffic complexity were carried out using the Method for the Analysis of Relational Complexity. Twenty-two air traffic controllers examined static air traffic displays and were required to detect and resolve conflicts. Objective measures of performance included conflict detection time and accuracy. Subjective perceptions of mental workload were assessed by a complexity-sorting task and subjective ratings of the difficulty of different aspects of the task. A metric quantifying the complexity of pair-wise relations among aircraft was able to account for a substantial portion of the variance in the perceived complexity and difficulty of conflict detection problems, as well as reaction time. Other variables that influenced performance included the mean minimum separation between aircraft pairs and the amount of time that aircraft spent in conflict.