Layers of Parallel
Tracks
Bead-frame
toys have the interesting property that beads on any one wire never touch beads
on a different wire, no matter what the positions of the beads on the wires.
Can 3D routes be designed such that
aircraft on different routes never meet? This question was the starting point
for the speculative approach to preventing crossing conflicts between cruising
aircraft described in EEC
Note 09/04. Improved safety is
the primary motivation for the study, in particular the reduction of the
dependence of the air traffic control system on human vigilance. An airspace
structure containing layers of parallel tracks is presented. Route lengths are
estimated to be 5% longer on average and a maximum of 8% longer than the
corresponding direct routes. European route network examples are used to
illustrate the concept. Implications for air traffic control are discussed. The
work described is part of an ongoing informal investigation.
|
Layers
of parallel tracks and intermediate layers |
Routes
from Heathrow |
Routes
between the busiest European airports |
For
further information contact Richard
Irvine and Chris Shaw.