An Investigation of the Operational Acceptability of Algorithm-Generated Sector Combinations

Abstract

In this paper, algorithm-generated airspace sector combinations are analyzed to determine if they are operationally acceptable. Discussions with practitioners identified three desirable characteristics for operational sector combinations. The first is that at each time during a weekly cycle, approximately the same number of sectors are operational. The second is that sector combinations be familiar, and the third is that sector combinations do not change frequently. Methods for visualizing and quantifying these characteristics are proposed. The methods are used to analyze historical sector combinations from the national airspace system and sector combinations generated by a sector-combining algorithm. The results were analyzed by researchers and practitioners. This analysis indicates that changes to the sector-combining algorithm may be required to ensure combinations that are acceptable for current operations. However, the identified characteristics may be less important in a mid-term timeframe (�2018), which is when a sector combining algorithm is being targeted for deployment. I. Introduction In current operations, supervisors in Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs or centers) dynamically combine sectors when they are under-utilized (operating below their capacity). This is done primarily so that there are not more controller teams monitoring airspace than are necessary. There are many factors that impact supervisor decisions about when to combine and split sectors, such as air traffic levels, staff availability and capabilities, equipment availability, current and predicted weather, airport configurations, and air traffic demand management initiatives. Currently, these decisions are made based on supervisor experience and judgement. Some previous research has focused on predicting sector combinations and splits based on past supervisor decisions. 1 In Ref. 2, an algorithm to systematically suggest combinations of under-utilized airspace sectors has been proposed. Results suggest that this algorithm may utilize air traffic control resources more efficiently than they are currently utilized. However, feedback from practitioners regarding the sector combination algorithm in Ref. 2 suggests that the proposed sector combinations may not be operationally acceptable due to controller situational awareness and staff planning factors that are not explicitly considered in the algorithm. 3 In this research, the algorithm-suggested sector combinations are compared to historical sector combinations to determine if the algorithm produces operationally acceptable sector combinations. Three desirable characteristics of operational sector combinations specified by practitioners in Ref. 3 are investigated. Quantitative comparisons are designed to study each characteristic in the operational and algorithm-generated sector combinations. Further practitioner feedback on the results of these comparisons is reported.