Computational modeling of air traffic control: terminal area case study

This paper presents an air traffic control modeling case study in which agent performance on a simulated terminal-area air traffic control task was compared with human air traffic controller performance. The paper first provides background on the simulation with human air traffic controllers, and on prior air traffic control modeling research. It then presents an agent model that enables various air traffic control strategies to be evaluated. Results for four different control strategy models show that agent performance compares more favorably to human performance when clearance alternatives and resultant aircraft behaviors are more constrained. The paper discusses these results and describes proposed future enhancements. The research was conducted with support from the NASA Aviation Safety Program.