Air traffic simulation with 4D multi-criteria optimized trajectories

Today's aviation industry is faced with three conflicting goals: First, aeronautics already draws responsible for 2% of all anthropologically induced emissions, (IATA 2013) and the need for reducing those emissions is no point of contention anymore. Second, the irresistible growth of air traffic demand challenges both, airport operations and air traffic flow management. And third, despite all changes, the expectations of safety are constantly increasing. To account for the need of improved, safe and climate friendly aircraft operations, we present a simulation environment, that is capable of optimizing trajectories regarding multiple criteria. Therewith we show the positive impact of 4 D optimized trajectories on the air traffic flow, controller's taskload and airspace complexity and emphasize the importance of an enhanced air traffic flow management considering dynamic sectorization and air space configuration.