Transition to Trajectory Based Operations (TBO)

In 2021, KDC has worked together with a group of experts from all KDC partners, developing a roadmap for the transition to Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) in the Netherlands. TBO is the future of Air Traffic Management, an operation in which flights are accommodated as close as possible to the user-preferred flight path. TBO is an important cornerstone for achieving the performance goals of SESAR ATM Masterplan in terms of safety, capacity and efficiency.

The KDC report on TBO gives a clear definition of TBO application in the context of the Netherlands: a complex hub operation in an airspace which can best be characterized as an extended TMA. The conclusions of the report are:

Sharing trajectory information is key for TBO benefits. New technologies and standards such as ADS-C EPP, FF-ICE, e-IOP and shared development of ATM systems (iTEC), provide tools for better planning and management of trajectories.

The primary recommendations to make the transition to Trajectory Based Operations are:

  1. Build from current platforms. Common iTEC development will become the core ATM system development towards TBO.
  2. Prioritize development of arrival- and departure management functionality. Most of the benefits for the Netherlands can be obtained by taking advantage of TBO in these planning functions
  3. Start using SWIM-enabled applications to gain early benefits. SWIM already allows to share and receive relevant data with stakeholders.
  4. Implement trajectory sharing enablers bi-lateral and in parallel. As TBO is a multi-faceted development, multiple deployment paths are recommended to expedite the deployment of the concept.
  5. Adopt a development strategy based on implementation of (many) small steps, rather than big leaps.
  6. Involve all stakeholders in the Transition to TBO. Collaboration with different stakeholders is the foundation of the TBO ATM system.
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