NASA researchers will find the tool useful for exploration of new concepts. The MetroSim scheduler will allow them to experiment with different concepts of operations for interval management, fuel management, arrival route structure, and even rule changes and reduced wake vortex separation standards. NASA can also use the tool as a driver for traffic in human-in-the-loop simulations, allowing researchers to concentrate on the salient aspects of the controller interaction without worrying about the background traffic that must be present to emulate a real scenario. Finally, NASA can integrate MetroSim with its Traffic Management Advisor (TMA), allowing full flight optimization from the enroute through the terminal area.
Other Government. We anticipate that MetroSim will eventually be tested in "shadow mode" in a backroom of a TRACON. In this mode, live traffic feeds will be fed to MetroSim and its response will be recorded, compared to what actually happened, and an assessment of the best path forward will be made. This application falls in the domain of the Federal Aviation Administration. Commercial. MetroSim can be used by airlines as a route planning tool, allowing them to experiment with different arrival and departure route choices on their flight plans, determine the interaction with other flights into and out of the Metroplex, and determine the approximate fuel burn for their choices. With this tool, dispatchers and other operators can better manage their operations.
More »