The Airspace Technology Demonstration 2 (ATD-2) Experiment Team successfully completed a Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) shakedown simulation of the ATD-2 system at the NASA Ames Research Center FutureFlight Central (FFC) and Airspace Operations Laboratory (AOL), February 13-17, 2017. The shakedown simulation, in preparation for the formal data collection March 7-9, 2017, tested the integration of two major ATD-2 prototype system components: the Surface Trajectory-Based Operations (STBO) subsystem and the Time-Based Flow Management/Integrated Departure Arrival Capability (TBFM/IDAC) subsystem.
A secondary objective was to refine ATD-2 procedures for surface departure metering and the Call For Release process between Charlotte Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZDC). The simulation environment reflected a major integration of the AOL terminal area and en route airspace simulation capabilities with the FFC ATCT and Airline Ramp Tower simulation capabilities. Traffic scenarios, composed of nearly 600 flights, included Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) arrival and departure banks, as well as overhead traffic to Washington Center.
The FFC primary 360-degree tower cab was used to simulate airline ramp operations while a secondary virtual tower was used to simulate the ATCT. The TRACON and en route sector controller displays were simulated in the AOL, using the Multi-Aircraft Control System (MACS) stations and the Washington Center Traffic Management Unit (TMU) station running TBFM. The TBFM Integrated Departure Scheduling Tool (IDST) for Washington Center was also used for Richmond, Dulles, Raleigh, and Baltimore airports. Nineteen former air traffic controllers and managers from various FAA facilities, including CLT Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), American Airlines (AAL) Ramp Tower, and Washington Center participated in the simulation along with fourteen pseudo pilots.
The formal data collection in March will also include FAA and air carrier participants to evaluate the ATD-2 system and operational procedures expected for the Phase 1 Field Demonstration. (POC: Savvy Verma)
