The Application of Semi-Markov Decision Processes to Queueing of Aircraft for Landing at an Airport

Socially optimal control of access to the landing queue of an airport is investigated in this paper. Semi-Markov decision process models, M/M/1 and M/E_k/1, for several classes of customers are used to determine how access should be controlled. Only commercial jet aircraft are considered and they are divided up into five classes based on aircraft type. Data from the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport are used to determine the parameters of the service time distribution. Data from several published sources are used to develop the cost, reward, and arrival rate parameters for each of the classes. Results are developed and presented for both models.