# DAG Concept Element 7

**(Collaboration for Mitigating Local TFM Constraints due to Weather,
SUA, Complexity)**

# Overview Description

# January 31, 2002

# NAS2-98005

# Technical Research in Advanced Air Transportation Technologies

Final

Overview Description

# DAG Concept Element 7

# (Collaboration for Mitigating Local TFM Constraints due to Weather, SUA, Complexity)

CDRL Item 5b

# Prepared under

# RTO -- 62

# AATT Operational Concept for ATM -- Year 2002 Update

#### January 31, 2002

#### Prepared For: NASA Ames Research Center

#### Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

#### Prepared By: Titan Systems Corporation -- SRC Division

#### Billerica, MA 01821-4134

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="5.416666666666667in" height="0.75in"}

# DAG CE.7 - Collaboration for Mitigating Local TFM Constraints due to Weather, SUA, Complexity

#### Overview Description

An approach to solving local TFM inefficiencies associated with
Constrained Airspace Problems is to create system-wide collaboration
between the ATSP at the impacted ARTCC and the users (represented by
flight deck (FD) crews and/or airline operations centers (AOC)) with the
objective of eliminating or mitigating the impact of predicted NAS
operational constraints. This approach is consistent with the
collaborative decision-making approach used at the national level
between users and the Air Traffic Control System Command Center
(ATCSCC).

For lost airspace problems, the objective is to mitigate the airspace
capacity impact by involving uses in the flow-restriction decision.
Solutions are characterized by user-ATSP collaboration that may vary in
form as a function of time horizon (i.e., time to go until a particular
flight, or group of flights, are predicted to reach the "constrained
airspace"). Prior to the formulation of a TFM initiative by the local
Traffic Management Unit (TMU), users have the ability to identify
potential airspace constraints and request deviations to avoid them.
When a TFM initiative is required, users have the opportunity to
collaborate on the flights selected and the methods of deviation to
maximize user preference. When a TFM initiative needs to be implemented,
user preference information is known by the local TMU and deviations are
as consistent with the preferences as is allowable.

For gained airspace problems, both ATSP and users have the ability to
identify aircraft deviations that gain operational benefit (to users
and/or ATSP) by utilization of the additional airspace. Gained airspace
presents an opportunity to the ATSP to reduce the complexity of
neighboring sectors that are congested (i.e., lost airspace). For users,
gained airspace presents an opportunity to improve flight
characteristics, such as reductions in time to fly and fuel consumption.

For user request problems, the negative downstream TFM impacts of user's
request are avoided by ATSP evaluation of requests for constrained
airspace impacts prior to acceptance. Similarly, users can avoid
requesting changes that cause (or are impacted by) downstream congestion
by evaluating the request against predictions of future NAS state.

To enable such a collaborative approach, decision support tools (DSTs)
are required for the ATSP and the users. These DSTs provide the
stakeholders with the ability to predict constrained airspace problems
and support collaborative resolutions.

#### High Level Benefit Mechanisms

The benefits for this approach are created through:

-   Enabling of collaborative solutions

-   Early notification of advantageous/disadvantageous events

-   Support in developing minimum impact resolutions

The use of collaborative solutions provides user input into the solution
of constrained airspace problems, creating solutions consistent with
user business models and enabling user benefits. Users even have the
ability to identify and resolve potential constrained airspace problems
before a TFM initiative is initiated, allowing for a completely user
defined solution.

Early notification of constrained airspace problems enables solutions
that require less impact on user-preferred trajectories for resolution.
Early notification also enables the identification and utilization of
gained airspace, providing direct capacity and efficiency benefits.

DST support in developing minimum impact resolutions ensures that the
selection and implementation of a TFM initiative is not excessive,
increasing efficiency over today's operations. By developing solutions
that minimize deviations from existing user preferences, user benefit is
maximized.

#### BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.  **Vivona, Robert**, *Detailed Description for CE-7, En route:
    Collaboration for Mitigating Local TFM Constraints due to Weather,
    SUA, and Complexity Constraints,* SRC/Titan Systems Corp., November
    2000.