In 2023, six projects were worked on within KDC as part of the multi-year program. Three of these projects continued from 2022. Four of the six projects were completed in 2023. The remaining two projects will be completed in 2024.
The main topics worked on in 2023 are:
- The study Air-Ground Datalink Implementation Strategy, which investigated both controller-pilot datalink applications (CPDLC) and automatic dependent surveillance (ADS-C) applications for use in Dutch airspace. This study was completed in 2023.
- The study Future Ground Movement Concepts Part A, which conducted a bottleneck analysis of ground traffic handling from a workload perspective. This study was completed in 2023.
- The study Future Ground Movement Concepts Part B, which develops and tests concepts for sustainable ground operations, also considering air quality. This study will be completed in 2024.
- The study Established on RNP-AR Procedures, which investigates the implementation possibilities of RNP-AR procedures at Schiphol, with a particular focus on transition aspects. This study will be completed in 2024.
- The study Transition to Trajectory Based Operations (TBO), aimed at clarifying developments following the implementation of iCAS. This study was completed in 2023.
- The study APOC: Multi-actor Decision Making, supporting the development of the APOC. This study was completed in 2023.
KDC has a partnership with the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft): the KDC Centre of Excellence. In 2023, five students from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences graduated within the KDC, in the bachelor track of the Centre of Excellence. Additionally, three master students from Delft University of Technology graduated. The expectation for 2024 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. In 2023, the implementation of the research plan began.
In 2021, a new development facility was established at LVNL, resulting from the collaboration between KDC and TU Delft: The InnovationLabs, iLabs. Between 2021 and 2023, a total of fifteen TU Delft interns worked in iLabs to develop and maintain the facilities. The facilities are mainly used by master track students from the Centre of Excellence to develop, test, and demonstrate new innovations. Additionally, iLabs supports the Airspace Redesign Program (PLRH) by evaluating route designs. In 2023, eleven tests were conducted in iLabs for the PLRH. In 2023, the management and administration of iLabs within LVNL were consolidated for the long term by recruiting and appointing an iLabs coordinator.
Results of the students at the Technical University Delft
Supporting Time-Based Separation and Merging in Approach Control
As aviation grows, air traffic management must switch from distance-based to time-based separation to increase runway capacity, especially during strong headwinds. This change will reduce holding times, save fuel, and be more environmentally friendly. To support time-based separation, air traffic controllers need decision support tools, as it is not easily visualized on a 2D map. This research aims to design, implement, and test such a tool for approach control.
by Stijn van Selling
Predicting controller workload within individual ground control sectors
At Schiphol Airport, ground controllers manage traffic within specific sectors, with the number of active controllers fluctuating throughout the day. There is limited insight into future sector workloads and how these workloads impact the taxi system’s capacity. This research aims to develop a tool to estimate upcoming workloads using planned operational data, helping to determine the necessary number of active controllers and improve overall airport capacity.
by Stijn Brunia
Valdidation noise model sonAir at Schiphol
Aircraft noise significantly impacts communities around airports. This research evaluates the sonAIR noise model’s accuracy in predicting noise levels at Schiphol Airport, comparing it to NOMOS measurements and the Doc29 model. Results indicate sonAIR consistently underestimates noise levels due to generalized emission models. Improving these predictions can enhance the quality of life for affected communities.
By Robbert Boelhouwer
Investigating effect on departure capacity of NM/CDM transparency
After the COVID-19 pandemic lull, Schiphol Airport is again reaching peak capacity, leading to Network Manager (NM) regulations. Regulated departing flights have different sequencing processes, potentially causing delays and later Calculated Take-Off Times. This research aims to model the A-CDM EHAM process and related systems to understand these feedback effects better and explore the impact of varying communication time horizons and data streams on Schiphol’s total departure capacity.
by Jan Post
Machine learning based trajectory prediction to support air traffic demand forecasting
Balancing air traffic sector demand and capacity is crucial for safe and efficient flights. Current methods rely on schedules and flight plans, but disruptions can lead to unexpected situations and unnecessary regulations. This research explores machine learning-based trajectory prediction to improve demand forecasting. By using flight status messages and recorded trajectories, a transformer neural network was developed to predict flight paths accurately. While this model significantly outperforms traditional methods in trajectory prediction, it offers only marginal improvements in demand forecasting.
by Reinier Vos
Results of the students at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
TSAT expired reduction at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
AAS and LVNL face issues with TSATs (Target Start-Up Approval Times) frequently becoming invalid, causing aircraft to be removed from the virtual queue and resulting in lost runway capacity. This problem, particularly during aircraft turnaround, leads to increased fuel costs and reduced air capacity. The frequent expiration of TSATs is costly, especially given the limited capacity at AAS and other airports.
by Mees Nijsten
Exemption for replacement noise limits due to closure of Russian and Ukrainian airspace
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol uses noise measurement points with specific maximum noise standards to monitor noise nuisance. Runway usage is determined by flight destination and origin, optimizing flight time and fuel efficiency. The conflict in Ukraine led to Russian airspace closure, affecting flight routes to far-east destinations and altering noise distribution around Schiphol. This increased the risk of exceeding noise limits, prompting Schiphol to seek an exemption for alternative noise limits from the Ministry of I&W. This research advises Schiphol on the exemption request and provides a detailed analysis to support its approval.
by Stijn Nolst Trenité
Analysing continuous decent operations Eindhoven.
Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) involve a smooth, uninterrupted descent from cruise altitude to the runway, unlike traditional step-down approaches. CDOs offer benefits such as improved fuel efficiency, noise reduction, better air traffic management, increased safety, and cost savings, making them attractive for sustainable and efficient air travel. This research aims to define CDO for Eindhoven Airport, analyzing CDO efficiency using radar flight data, resulting in performance statistics and deviations. It also investigates factors affecting CDO performance and potential improvements.
by Daan van der Veldt
Tactical flight planning to enhance runway load balancing
Traffic entering AMS-FIR typically follows their filed flight plans, but due to the high density and complexity of this airspace, rerouting within AMS-FIR is undesirable. This research explores a proposed tool called Tactical Demand Tailoring (TDT), which would allow LVNL to tactically redirect flights to Schiphol after departure but before entering AMS-FIR, extending LVNL’s influence over arrivals beyond its current operational area.
by Sven Vegter