Air Traffic Simulation Framework for Testing Automated Air Traffic Control Solutions
As air traffic control (ATC) automation advances, simulation environments become essential for testing and validating novel solutions before deployment. This study presents a modular framework that integrates real air traffic data to simulate controlled and uncontrolled airspace environments for aut...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6414 |
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| author | Rebeka Anna Jáger Géza Szabó |
| author_facet | Rebeka Anna Jáger Géza Szabó |
| author_sort | Rebeka Anna Jáger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As air traffic control (ATC) automation advances, simulation environments become essential for testing and validating novel solutions before deployment. This study presents a modular framework that integrates real air traffic data to simulate controlled and uncontrolled airspace environments for automation assessment. The framework consists of a two-layer structure: a traffic simulation layer for generating and updating aircraft positions, and an upper layer for managing control agents and traffic commands. It uses ADS-B data to simulate realistic conditions, incorporates randomized traffic generation, and enables pilot–controller interactions. The system supports various operational modes, from simple data recording to fully interactive control scenarios. Interfaces allow external algorithm integration for traffic prediction, conflict resolution, and controller workload evaluation. A case study demonstrates the framework’s ability to assess a basic control algorithm’s performance under increasing traffic density. This open-source, MATLAB-based simulation environment supports robust, repeatable ATC automation testing using real-time or recorded traffic data. Its flexible architecture and clearly defined interfaces enable customization for diverse research applications, including sectorization studies, flow management, and workload estimation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f0a2d25eeccd4841ab84ad6b03e5c98b |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-f0a2d25eeccd4841ab84ad6b03e5c98b2025-06-25T13:24:33ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-06-011512641410.3390/app15126414Air Traffic Simulation Framework for Testing Automated Air Traffic Control SolutionsRebeka Anna Jáger0Géza Szabó1Department of Control for Transportation and Vehicle Systems, Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3., H-1111 Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Control for Transportation and Vehicle Systems, Faculty of Transportation Engineering and Vehicle Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3., H-1111 Budapest, HungaryAs air traffic control (ATC) automation advances, simulation environments become essential for testing and validating novel solutions before deployment. This study presents a modular framework that integrates real air traffic data to simulate controlled and uncontrolled airspace environments for automation assessment. The framework consists of a two-layer structure: a traffic simulation layer for generating and updating aircraft positions, and an upper layer for managing control agents and traffic commands. It uses ADS-B data to simulate realistic conditions, incorporates randomized traffic generation, and enables pilot–controller interactions. The system supports various operational modes, from simple data recording to fully interactive control scenarios. Interfaces allow external algorithm integration for traffic prediction, conflict resolution, and controller workload evaluation. A case study demonstrates the framework’s ability to assess a basic control algorithm’s performance under increasing traffic density. This open-source, MATLAB-based simulation environment supports robust, repeatable ATC automation testing using real-time or recorded traffic data. Its flexible architecture and clearly defined interfaces enable customization for diverse research applications, including sectorization studies, flow management, and workload estimation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6414air traffic controlautomated air traffic controlair traffic simulationair traffic flow modelingreal-time simulation frameworkair traffic control algorithm testing |
| spellingShingle | Rebeka Anna Jáger Géza Szabó Air Traffic Simulation Framework for Testing Automated Air Traffic Control Solutions Applied Sciences air traffic control automated air traffic control air traffic simulation air traffic flow modeling real-time simulation framework air traffic control algorithm testing |
| title | Air Traffic Simulation Framework for Testing Automated Air Traffic Control Solutions |
| title_full | Air Traffic Simulation Framework for Testing Automated Air Traffic Control Solutions |
| title_fullStr | Air Traffic Simulation Framework for Testing Automated Air Traffic Control Solutions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Air Traffic Simulation Framework for Testing Automated Air Traffic Control Solutions |
| title_short | Air Traffic Simulation Framework for Testing Automated Air Traffic Control Solutions |
| title_sort | air traffic simulation framework for testing automated air traffic control solutions |
| topic | air traffic control automated air traffic control air traffic simulation air traffic flow modeling real-time simulation framework air traffic control algorithm testing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/12/6414 |
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