Time-Based Metering and the Multi-Center Traffic Management Advisor (McTMA)

1. Time-Based Metering and the Multi-Center Traffic Management Advisor (McTMA) Todd Farley todd.c.farley@nasa.gov (650) 604-0596

2. Agenda • McTMA training, part 1 • Time-based metering • Why the push for metering? Why here? Why now? • Autopsy of failed metering programs • Metering: then and now • The transition to time-based metering • It can be done. Here’s how it’s going at ZLA… • Introduction to McTMA • McTMA system architecture • What’s next? • The game plan and your role in it

3. Time-Based Metering The “M” word…

4. Time-based metering “We tried that already. It didn’t work. You can leave now.” - Boston Center controller “This is the best feed of aircraft I have seen from ZLA ever.” - SoCal Tracon controller

5. Time-based metering • Why the push to go to metering? • Theoretically proven to be more efficient • Throughput • Arrival delay • Airborne holding … but what about workload?

6. SEA ZSE Seattle STL Dec 2006 MSP ZMP ZBW ZLC Boston Salt Lake BOS Minneapolis ZAU ZOB DTW ZDV ZOA Chicago ZNY Cleveland Denver New York Oakland SLC PIT PHL ORD ZID SFO DEN STL CVG LAS ZKC ZDC CLT ZLA Washington Kansas City ZTL Los Angeles MEM Atlanta LAX ZME PHX ZFW Memphis ZAB ATL CVG Nov 2005 Fort Worth Albuquerque DFW ZJX MCO Jacksonville TMA-SC FFP1 IAH ZHU ZMA Houston Miami TMA-SC FFP2 IAH Aug 2003 MIA MEM May 2006 TMA-MC TMA: Single-Center vs. Multi-Center • In practice: so far, so good • At every TMA site so far, results from operational use have validated the benefits that theory suggests … including workload

7. Time-based metering • Why the push to go to metering here? • We’ve tried the obvious places and it’s worked • ZFW, ZMP, ZLA, etc. • ZLA is the first facility to transition from miles-in-trail to time-based metering, and the results have been positive(more on that later) • This is the Northeast Corridor… there’s more demand and tighter constraints here than anywhere • The Northeast is the ultimate test • Why Philly? • RTCA recommendation • Its location makes it interesting from a research perspective

8. Time-based metering time·based me·ter·ing(tīm bāsed mē’t r-ing) n.1. A traffic management alternative to miles-in-trail spacing to de-peak the arrival demand to meet a downstream restriction. 2. A sector control technique by which aircraft are vectored (speed, heading, and/or altitude) to meet a crossing-time restriction at a coordination fix. e

9. 10 miles in trail Time-based metering Time-based metering • In theory, a more efficient way of spacing traffic flows to spread out the demand to meet capacity.

10. 100 nm Time-based metering • In practice, works very well in airspace with large, open sectors that have been metering for years. • for example, ZFW & ZMP … of course, that’s not the case here.

11. Arrival airspace comparison • ZNY characteristics • Small, complex sectors • Heavy crossing traffic • Flights in transition

12. Time-based metering • Here’s the basic question:Is there a way to implement time-based meteringin complex airspace that makes sense in terms of efficiency and workload?

13. McTMA cadre Traffic management:Jay Conroy, Jack White NATCA CPC: Mike Dowd Traffic management: Mark Evans, Doug Davis NATCA CPCs:Jim Bartel, Bob Weaver Traffic management:Boucher, Kurz,Rosenberg NATCA CPCs: Golder, Kohler, Cummings Traffic management:John Kelley NATCA CPC:Patrick Rodden NASA: Tom Davis, Todd Farley, Ty Hoang, Steve Landry, Kathy LeeMITRE: Kerry Levin, Dennis Rowe Traffic management:Mike Klinker, Barry Constant NATCA CPC: Bob Padgett

14. “We tried that already. It didn’t work.”Metering: Then and Now This is not your father’s metering system…

15. En-Route Metering (ERM) 1970s-80s [R.I.P.] Arrival Spacing Program (ASP) 1980s-today Time-based metering predecessors • Both failed to work in complex airspace

16. Time-based metering predecessors • Shortcomings are well understood, and surmountable • ERM and ASP are Host-resident programs • Subject to processing limitations of the Host • Inaccurate trajectory estimates • No wind data • Inaccurate trajectory estimates • Host-resident programs unable to interface with other Centers • Unable to develop a common metering plan across Centers • Adjacent Centers worked with uncoordinated arrival metering plans

17. Time-based metering with McTMA • McTMA is a completely different approach • Not a Host-resident program;McTMA is a brand new, independent infrastructure of state-of-the-art computer equipment • Superior computational resources make possible the use of far more sophisticated trajectory modeling and scheduling algorithms • More accurate trajectory estimates

18. Time-based metering with McTMA • McTMA is a completely different approach • McTMA has access to hourly wind updates (RUC forecasts) • More accurate trajectory estimates • The inherent advantages of the TMA approach over that of ERM or ASP have resulted in significant operational improvements at every facility that has upgraded from ASP to TMA • Land more aircraft per hour • 5-8% throughput increase • Less metering

19. Time-based metering with McTMA • McTMA is a completely different approach • McTMA is fully integrated between Centers • Access to all relevant flightplan and track data • Able to exchange metering data across Centers • Adjacent Centers synchronized to a common arrival metering plan

20. The transition to time-based metering It can be done. Here’s how it’s going at ZLA…

21. Traffic management before metering Adjacent Center MIT initiatives or GDP or both MIT-based initiatives (jets) Call for release on satellite departures (ZLA and SCT TMU) Internal holding at SLI, DARTS, LAHAB No-notice holding by ZLA at SCT boundary Occasional unfilled gaps on finals Arrival numbers often below advertised AAR TMS delays common on IFR days 78-84 72-76 64-68 LAX transition to metering

22. Benefits for LAX arrival operations ZLA Vectoring occurs in High Altitude sectors Less coordination necessary (speeds/vectors) between SCT feeder sectors and ZLA sectors No-notice holding greatly reduced SCT Arrival flow to SCT based on all traffic and the runway availability Aircraft are staggered on merging routes (East gate) Speeds faster transitioning to finals Less space wasted on finals LAX transition to metering

23. LAX transition to metering • Traffic management initiatives for initial time-based metering trials • Implemented to allow for safe transition to new procedures associated with time-based metering • May 14 - TMI’s (regardless of AAR at LAX) • 30 MIT from East Adjacent ARTCC’s - ZAB, ZDV, ZLC • 20 MIT from ZOA • SAN arrivals (from the East) routed south O/IPL (Sector 39) • 10 MIT - VTU Departures (from SCT) • Altitude capping for arrivals to LA Basin/San Diego area airports (i.e. BUR/VNY, SNA/LGB, SAN/CRQ) • June 4 - TMI’s back to normal operations. • Dynamic application based on sector demand and workload

24. May 30 metering trial results • May 30 (1700-1850Z) • WX: VIS 3 MI, BKN 006, OVC 008. VIS North 2 MI • No VAP’s • LAX advertised AAR 64 due to heavy mix and 3 mile separation at THD • East Winds at altitude • Actual arrivals: 1710-1810z 69 • Heavy/757 mix 38% 38% Heavy/757 38% Heavy/757

25. June 7 metering trial results • June 7 (1615-1900Z) • WX: IFR OVC 008 • No VAP’s • LAX advertised AAR 68 • Actual arrivals: 1740-1840z69 (Heavy/757 mix: 43%) • Actual arrivals: 1800-1900z71 (Heavy/757 mix: 34%) 43% Heavy/757 34% Heavy/757

26. June 10: no metering • June 10 (1700-1900): • WX: BKN/OVC 020 (IFR) • No VAP’s • LAX advertised AAR 68 • Actual arrivals: 1700-1800z 59(Heavy/757 mix: 32%) • Actual arrivals: 1800-1900z61 (Heavy/757 mix: 36%) • 3 A/C held @ VTU/DARTS for +10 • SAN +27 (Ground Delay)

27. “It is difficult to compare metering vs. non-metering arrival numbers; however, I believe that if metering had been used (on June 10), the arrival numbers would have been higher, without the delays incurred today.” Gary Hobbs, STMC, Southern California TRACON SCT statement regarding June 10 Transition to metering at LAX

28. June 21 metering trial results • June 21 (1630-1830Z): • WX: IFR OVC 020 • No VAP’s • LAX advertised AAR 64 - 68 • Actual arrivals - 10 minute running totals 1630-1830z : • 67-66-68-67-68-68 • Heavy/757 Mix - 10 minute % • running totals 1630-1830z • 31-34-35-39-38-41 • Metering has provided a more consistent flow of traffic over long periods of time 41% Heavy/757 38% Heavy/757 35% Heavy/757

29. 41% Heavy/757 37% Heavy/757 33% Heavy/757 29% Heavy/757 June 27 metering trial results • June 27 (1630-1850Z): • WX: IFR OVC 020 • No VAP’s until 1815z • AAR 72 @ 1815z • LAX advertised AAR: 68 - 72 • Actual arrivals - 10 minute running totals 1730-1900z • 66-68-69-69 • Heavy/757 mix correlates to net hourly arrivals

30. Traffic flow from the East is staggered reducing the incidence of vectoring within TRACON airspace.

31. Internal traffic fits into overall scheduling plan as a result of TBM.

32. ZLA transition to metering • SCT testimonials for time-based metering • “This is the best feed of aircraft I have seen from ZLA (to LAX) ever.” Doug Voelpel, SCT LA Area • “We were busy (during rush on June 7), but we were never out of control and we consistently had enough aircraft to fill both of the finals.” Dan Boyle, SCT LA Area • “Do you have to stop metering?” SCT TM (daily)

33. Improved awareness results in: Fewer surprises Earlier knowledge of traffic and delay spikes Improved quality of information to controller More consistent flows reduce: No-notice holding Incidence of excessive ground delays Frequency of sudden need to create a “hole” in sequence, e.g., for aircraft in a low sector Fluctuation in flow rates into approach airspace Coordination with TRACON, TMC’s, supervisors Allows flexible traffic options Spacing is based on runway availability Delays can be effectively managed according to sector workload Enhanced credibility with airspace users Improved accuracy of delays and holding predictions Equitable distribution of delays counters perception of favoritism The bottom line

34. Introduction to Multi-Center TMA Officially: TMA-MC NASA Jive: McTMA

35. efficient arrival plan:one whicheffectively manages demand to meet capacity as closely as practical. What is TMA? • Traffic Management Advisor • TMU planning tool for arrival rush operations • Tool for passive communication/coordination between ARTCC(s) and TRACON • Time-based metering tool • Purpose: Help generate and implement a more efficient arrival plan for the adapted TRACON & airport • Seeks to manage these arrival flows while the aircraft are still in Center airspace • Goal: improve throughput, ease workload, reduce delay, increase capacity, improve coordination between facilities TMA is being deployed nationally as part of the FAA’s Free Flight Program.

36. What is TMA in practical terms… • Predicts arrival demand • TMA provides fresh (12-second update), accurate prediction of the arrival demand • Matches demand to capacity • Based on constraints entered by the TMC (e.g., AAR, meter fix closures, etc.), TMA computes a time-based schedule by which arrival demand will meet (and not exceed) the capacity of the airport & TRACON • Provides metering targets • Sector controllers implement the schedule by vectoring aircraft to meet crossing times posted on their radar displays

37. What is TMA-MC? • TMA Multi-Center is an extension of the TMA Single-Center to regions where more than one facility is significantly involved in arrival traffic flow management • TMA-MC creates a network of TMA’s at adjacent Centers • Enables transition to time-based metering in complex airspace • Provides scheduling information at adapted runways, approach fixes, and upstream Center boundaries • Facilitates regional collaboration TMA-MC is a priority research project for the FAA’s Free Flight Program, with a goal of providing capability in the field in the 2004-2005 timeframe.

38. TMA basic system description Atmospheric data TMC Flow Visualization Controller advisories System control & communication Arrival time prediction Flight plan data Radar Track & Speed Controller commands Constraint Scheduling Operational ATC Computer TMA Workstations

39. TMA functions • TMA (single-center, multi-center, whatever) essentially does three things: • Predict arrival demand more accurately than anything available today • Help TMU develop a better plan for the arrival rush via Timeline display (see next slide) and a much, much smarter scheduling algorithm than has ever been available with ASP • Produce metering lists to implement the overall arrival plan. The advisories are designed to distribute the metering delay (i.e., workload) upstream and/or downstream across different sectors, areas, and even facilities. The result is that separate flows into a common destination (PHL TRACON, for example) are synchronized to the overall master arrival plan generated in the TMUs.

40. TMU timeline display

41. DSR sector controller meter list

42. Field test phases • Round 1: Multi-Facility Collaboration (March - June) • TMA to provide TMCs in multiple facilities with consistent, accurate arrival information • Each TMU to use TMA to help develop a coordinated arrival plan • Develop the ops concept • Determine hierarchy for decision-making between facilities • Round 2: Metering (Fall ’03 - Spring ’04) • Use TMA time-based scheduling • Enable free-flow of heavily saturated sectors while metering others • Transition to time-based metering in all McTMA facilities • Develop operational procedures for metering in multiple facilities • Determine costs/benefits of metering in complex airspace

43. Challenges for McTMA in NE Corridor • Complex airspace • Involves multiple facilities (TMUs, sectors, and TRACONs) • Small sectors, restricted controllability • Tower enroute control (TEC) traffic • Crossing traffic flows • Streams of metered traffic with unmetered traffic • Transition to metering control techniques • Potential benefits • Accurate prediction: a reliable window on the next 90 minutes • Smoother traffic flow: fewer ties, less airborne holding, more advance notice when holding is required • Redistributed, more balanced workload

44. AOZ (FFP2) • TMA operational expertise • System design • Algorithm development • Human factors • System-S/W development • Installation • Requirements definition • NE airspace procedures • Air Traffic • WJHTC MITRE NE Corridor Controller-in-the-loop, Real-time Simulation Benefits Analysis Controller Training Field Demonstration/Testing Technology Transfer Who’s involved

45. McTMA System Architecture The plumbing…

46. Airspace Schematic ZBW ZNY PHL ZOB ZDC

47. Track & flight plan data sources HOST ZBW HOST ZNY HOST PHL ZOB HOST ZDC

48. TMA TMA TMA TMA HOST HOST HOST HOST Individual ARTCC TMA processors ZBW ZNY PHL ZOB ZDC

49. TMA TMA TMA HOST HOST HOST SCHEDULER TMA HOST McTMA scheduler ZBW ZNY PHL ZOB ZDC

50. TMA TMA TMA HOST HOST HOST SCHEDULER TMA HOST McTMA scheduler ZBW ZNY PHL ZOB ETAs STAs ZDC