Representing change in air traffic flow management using the event calculus

A practical approach to temporal reasoning based on the event calculus is explored in the context of air traffic flow management (ATFM). The work reported is part of the EQUATOR (ESPRIT project 2409). ATFM demonstrates a requirement for managing objects in time and space, real-time characteristics and large scale. Current ATFM procedures are essentially manual and have evolved within physical, financial and political constraints. Proposals for centralising air traffic management in Europe provide an ideal opportunity for a radical reanalysis