Optimization-Based Analysis of Collaborative Airport Arrival Planning

This paper describes, a novel optimization-based approach to benefits analysis that allows us to analyze new collaborative air traffic management tools. We apply this method to analysis of the Collaborative Arrival Planner (CAP), a concept under development by NASA as part of a suite of decision-support tools for improved air traffic management. Central to our benefits analysis is an integer program, the Arrival Sequencing Model (ASM), which minimizes cost through adjustments to the arrival sequence. We use the ASM to evaluate whether CAP-enabled airline control over and/or visibility into the airport arrival sequencing process could improve overall performance of the air transportation system.