Effects of increased trajectory predictability by ATS datalink on ATM operations in lower airspace

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Contract (ADS-C) on air traffic control (ATC) procedures, focusing on operational efficiency and safety margins in lower airspace. Through 64 simulation configurations, the study evaluates how varying airspace density, separation buffer size, and vertical error in ADS-C data influence operational metrics, such as fuel burn, track miles, and flight time. The simulations utilize synthetic ADS-C data with a 100% equipage rate, providing insights into how ADS-C can be applied to manage intersecting flight trajectories. Results indicate that separation buffer size is the most influential factor. Smaller buffers lead to significant reductions in fuel burn, track miles, and flight time compared to the baseline, though this comes at the expense of increased conflict risks. Airspace density demonstrated trends where higher densities showed the greatest fuel savings but more conflicts, highlighting a trade-off between operational efficiency and safety. These findings support the role of ADS-C in increasing predictability and improving trajectory management, both of which are key to Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO). By improving the accuracy of aircraft intent and trajectory data, ADS-C can optimize flight paths and enable more efficient air traffic management. However, carefully considering separation buffers and airspace density is essential to balance efficiency with safety.