SystemwideModeler: A fast-time simulation of the NAS

The National Airspace System (NAS) is a complex network of air transportation resources that serves tens of thousands of flights every day. The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is intended to improve the performance of the NAS. To evaluate the aggregate and network effects of growing demand and NextGen improvements, analysts often use fast-time simulation models of NAS operations. Developed by the MITRE Corporation, systemwideModeler simulates the progress and interactions of flights as they use hundreds of airports and airspace sectors. Capacity-constrained resources such as airports or en route sectors anticipate congestion and react by constraining when and how flights use them. Constraints are respected via delay absorption, rerouting, airframe reassignment, and cancellations. Resource models can be summoned as needed to best represent the scenario of interest. This paper describes the use and design of systemwideModeler, explains how key component models work to represent airport congestion management, en route congestion management, and fleet management, and identifies ongoing research activities.