Framework of a Time-Based Simulation Model for the Analysis of Airfield Operations
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 10
Abstract
This paper presents the framework of a new microscopic simulation model called Virginia Tech airfield simulation model (VTASIM) developed to study aircraft operations at airports. The model presented is designed and built under the concept of the time-based simulation model in which aircraft states are updated at fixed time intervals. By employing a vehicle-following model, VTASIM can portray aircraft movements on taxiways in great detail and with more accuracy than traditional discrete-event based airport simulation models. In order to find efficient taxiing routes between gates and runways, the model employs a time-dependent shortest path algorithm. Another unique feature of the model is its ability to capture the communication activities between pilots and controllers, which may cause delays in airfield operations especially at busy airports. This paper describes the methods and the structure of the model. The model is applied to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to illustrate its functionality.
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Acknowledgments
This research has been supported in part by the Federal Aviation Administration under a grant to the National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research (NEXTOR). Specifically, the writers thank Randy Stevens at FAA for his support of NEXTOR. They also thank anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments that helped improve the discussions in this paper.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 10 • October 2008
Pages: 397 - 413
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Apr 2, 2004
Accepted: Aug 15, 2007
Published online: Oct 1, 2008
Published in print: Oct 2008
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