Modeling Efficiency Gains from Diverging Departures at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) implemented Area Navigation (RNAV) standard terminal arrival routes (STARs) and standard instrument departures (SIDs) in early 2005. Revisions to the RNAV SIDs implemented in April 2006 include diverging departure courses when ATL is in east flow operational configuration. The diverging departure courses can be expected to allow air traffic control (ATC) to separate departing aircraft more efficiently, reduce delays, and provide significant benefits to operators. The MITRE Corporation´s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) has been tasked by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to measure the benefits associated with RNAV implementation at several high complexity/high traffic sites across the NAS, and has developed Monte-Carlo simulation modeling tools to assist in RNAV benefits analysis. This paper presents model estimates of the benefits for both the current implementation of ATL RNAV procedures as well as a planned future implementation at ATL