KNOWLEDGE-BASED RUNWAY ASSIGNMENT FOR ARRIVAL AIRCRAFT IN THE TERMINAL AREA

Douglas R. Isaacson, Thomas J. Davis, and John E. Robinson III
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035


Abstract

A knowledge-based system for scheduling arrival traffic in the terminal
area, referred to as the Final Approach Spacing Tool (FAST),  has been
implemented and operationally tested at the Dallas/Fort Worth Terminal
Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility. Two types of controller
advisories are generated by FAST:  sequence number and runway
assignment. The knowledge base for runway assignment employs a set of
hierarchical rules and decision logic that evaluates both performance
and workload criteria.  This formulation is based on over 2,000 hours of
controller-in-the-loop, real-time simulations.  In the field tests,
controllers had the option to accept or reject the FAST-generated runway
assignments. Results indicate strong adherence to the advisories and
increased capacity, with no significant impact on controller workload.