Improving efficiency with surface trajectory-based operations and conformance monitoring

Surface Trajectory-Based Operations (STBO) is a concept of operations for enhancing surface operations in the mid- and far-term by better managing surface traffic and airport resources to enable surface trajectory-based operations. STBO, which is expected to be implemented as part of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), proposes the use of automation systems in the tower and better data exchange with users to enhance the efficiency and safety of surface operations. STBO relies on automated tools to assist air traffic controllers and managers with planning for airport configuration changes, sequencing aircraft, assigning runways and taxi routes, and monitoring performance against those taxi routes. This paper focuses on the surface conformance monitoring aspect of STBO and describes a human-in-the-loop simulation designed to test the feasibility and benefits of this concept. This paper will describe at a high level the surface conformance monitoring concept and the conformance monitoring software that was developed by Mosaic ATM. This paper outlines how the software was used and tested in the human-in-the-loop simulation performed at The MITRE Corporation. Results of human-in-the-loop simulation suggest this automation may increase deviation detection accuracy and reduce controller workload. Finally, conclusions will be drawn about the utility of the surface conformance monitoring technologies in enhancing the efficiency of surface operations and reducing controller workload.