In 2022 fourteen projects were worked on within KDC, five of which continued from 2021.
Eight of the fourteen projects were completed in 2022. The remaining six projects will be completed in 2023 or later.
In 2022, two students from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences graduated within the KDC, in the bachelor track of the Centre of Excellence. Additionally, six master students from Delft University of Technology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Wageningen University graduated. The expectation for 2023 is that six students will graduate in the bachelor track and six in the master track. Besides the bachelor and master students, the Centre of Excellence has been expanded with a PhD assignment. This multi-year study focuses on improved noise calculations using measurements from the NOMOS network. The research plan for this study was written in 2022.
The following topics were completed in 2022:
Strategy for Schiphol night-time arrivals
This study aims to develop a clear strategy for handling traffic at night. At night, the traffic volume is lower, which offers opportunities for more efficient operations. Additionally, it is important to minimize noise disturbance. This study has delivered a phased strategy to bring about multiple improvements up to 2035.
Established on RNP procedures
This feasibility study investigated the extent to which RNP AR procedures can be implemented for, for example, parallel approaches. Comparisons with examples of implemented procedures showed that it is not feasible to fully implement this procedure in the short term. However, variations are possible that offer benefits in the medium term.
APOC: Alignment of D-1 demand predictions
This study aimed to map out how sector parties make demand predictions one day before the operation and then plan accordingly. The differences in methodology and planning have thus become clear. From this, advice has been formulated to align the planning between the parties and to arrive at a common view of the traffic demand for the next day.
Transition to Trajectory Based Operations
This project was a joint development involving all KDC suppliers. The aim of the study was to clarify what the Trajectory Based Operations concept entails and how it can be developed within the Dutch situation. The study is a conceptual roadmap that lays the foundation for in-depth studies to further develop the TBO concept.
Traffic Segregation Concepts
Departing traffic at Schiphol is assigned a runway based on the direction of the flight. This can lead to an inefficient distribution of traffic, which can negatively impact noise, capacity, or fuel consumption. This study investigated various concepts where departing traffic is distributed differently to achieve a more efficient operation. Both short-term optimizations and long-term improvements were identified.
Future Runway Use #3
The future runway use studies aim to evaluate future runway use based on environmental criteria (noise/emissions) with operational feasibility as a basic condition. Changes in runway use are foreseen from the airspace redesign program, such as the addition of a fourth IAF or 3D separated routes. This third study includes a sensitivity analysis of the first two iterations of the concept.
Steep Approach (continued)
This study is a continuation of the operational feasibility study of the steep approach.
The topics that started in 2022 and will be developed in 2023 are:
Future Ground Movement Concepts, Part A
Part A of the future ground movement concepts study was not fully completed in 2022. Since the addition of a third ground controller, it has been found that the workload of these three controllers is sometimes unevenly distributed. This study aims to analyze and optimize the workload of the ground traffic controllers. The work includes a master’s thesis project by a student in the KDC Centre of Excellence on this theme.
Air-Ground Datalink Implementation Strategy
With the current fleet renewal, new air-ground datalink technologies such as CPDLC and ADS-C are becoming more available. This study aims to investigate which techniques can provide potential benefits for handling air traffic in the Netherlands below FL245. The result will be an implementation strategy with iCAS as the underlying air traffic control system. The study will be completed in 2023.
Schiphol Airport Operations Centre (APOC) Development
Since January 2020, Schiphol has had an Airport Operations Centre. This project aims to develop a method for a decision model for capacity bottlenecks and demand measures. This decision model covers the period from 7 days before the operation to the day of the operation itself. The study will be completed in 2023.
Transition to Trajectory Based Operations #2
This follow-up study aims to devise a process through which innovations and building blocks for Trajectory Based Operations are developed from idea to implementation. Part of the study involves further inventorying which innovations are important and which stakeholders are involved. The study will be completed in 2023.
Results of the students at the Technical University Delft
Improving the Schiphol wind forecast
Weather significantly impacts Schiphol operations, especially runway selection, which depends on wind speed and direction. Key meteorological variables include visibility, cloud ceiling, wind, and severe weather. Accurate forecasts are crucial; overly negative forecasts waste capacity, while overly positive ones cause congestion and delays. This report focuses on evaluating wind speed forecast performance.
by Edwin Kok
Aircraft Noise Model Improvement by Calibration of Noise-Power-Distance Values Using Acoustic Measurements
The environmental impact of the aircraft industry, particularly noise nuisance, significantly affects local communities around Schiphol Airport. This research aims to develop a dynamic noise model using real-world aircraft noise measurements from NOMOS. By calibrating input parameters with these measurements, the model’s accuracy and reliability are expected to improve, benefiting both Schiphol’s capacity planning and community trust in noise assessments.
by Rebekka van der Grift
Effect of Trajectory Prediction Uncertainty on Debunching of Inbound Air Traffic
The growth in air traffic and environmental concerns are increasing pressure on the Area Control Center (ACC). The Terminal Control Area (TMA) needs accurately sequenced arriving traffic, while the ACC aims to minimize miles flown. Although Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) measures exist for European traffic, none exist for North Atlantic Tracks, leading to potential bunching during peak loads. This research suggests predicting bunching and developing a debunching concept focused on airborne delay consumption and traffic sequencing in Upper Control Areas (UTA) to reduce ACC pressure.
by Edzer Oosterhof
Optimizing the distribution of aircraft over the IAF
Aircraft noise pollution around Schiphol and other airports limits the number of allowed movements. Noise is mainly generated by arriving aircraft between the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) and the runway. While transition routes are optimized to minimize noise, runway positioning can hinder this. Redistributing aircraft over the IAF could reduce noise but increase flight times and CO2 emissions. This research aims to develop a model that balances noise reduction and CO2 emissions, potentially minimizing noise disturbance while limiting environmental impact.
by Max Aalberse
Evaluation and assessment of the performance of the KNMI Schiphol Kansverwachting (SKV) for Mainport Schiphol with respect to wind direction and wind gusts
Accurate weather forecasts are essential for Schiphol Airport operations, especially for sudden weather changes. The KNMI provides the Schiphol Kansverwachting (SKV) forecast, which combines numerical weather prediction models, observations, and statistical tools. This research evaluates the SKV’s performance in predicting wind direction and gusts using three models: HIRLAM, HARMONIE, and ECMWF. It aims to identify forecasting errors and suggest improvements to enhance forecast accuracy and operational efficiency.
by Thomas Vermeulen
Investigating the effects of Flexible Use of Airspace availability and plannability on fuel efficiency
The Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) concept in the Amsterdam Flight Information Region (FIR) integrates military and civil airspace, allocating it based on user needs. This creates a challenge in balancing the flexible requirements of military operations with the high plannability needs of civil aviation. By modeling civil fuel consumption, the effects of FUA availability and plannability can be assessed. Early announcement of FUA usage helps avoid carrying surplus fuel, reducing aircraft weight and fuel burn. This research aims to propose new FUA usage guidelines as part of the Dutch Airspace Redesign Programme.
by Eneko Rodriguez
Results of the students at the Free University
A neural network approach in optimizing airport strategy with trajectory prediction
As global airspace becomes more crowded, effective airport capacity management is crucial to avoid delays. Accurate long-term trajectory predictions are needed for precise arrival time estimates, despite uncertainties from weather, restricted areas, and air traffic control. This thesis proposes using a bidirectional LSTM recurrent neural network to predict aircraft routes before takeoff, trained solely on historical flight plans. The study focuses on incoming flights to Schiphol Airport within Europe and tests various hyperparameters to enhance network performance.
by Bart Rozendaal
Results of the students at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Develop sequential steps towards a Multi Airport System (MAS)
Dutch airports have grown significantly, almost autonomously, without strategic mechanisms to balance this growth. This could soon max out airspace capacity, leading to bottlenecks by 2023 and more by 2035. Examining joint air traffic management and researching the MAS system could address these capacity issues and provide solutions.
by Wesley Vork