Airport Business - 37

TECHNOLOGY
the optimization process in both the
planning and execution phases. Artificial
intelligence (AI) methods too can be
applied to predict important f low data.
For example, regarding bagging handling,
data pertaining to passenger baggage
volumes and baggage arrival time before
departure, as well as other data points
can be used for more effective A-CDM.
A-CDM is an air traffic control
(ATC) driven process rolled out in
Europe. In place since 2006, it requires all
stakeholders to commit to the same plan
with the goal of optimizing departure
sequence and network flow. In operation,
the airport and ATC provide a common
platform through which alerts are sent
to the airlines and ground handlers,
and a portal (typically web-based) is
provided for entering the Target OffBlock Time (TOBT). This is the point
which is monitored and confirmed by
the airline handling agent indicating
when the ground handling process has
been completed, all doors on the aircraft
are closed, and the passenger boarding
bridges have been removed thereby
paving the way for the start-up approval
and push-back/taxi clearance to be
received. Information can then be shared
with the aviation network control (e.g.,
European Network Control/NMOC).
Using A-CDM procedures, airports
can effectively share information with
the airlines, ground handling and ATC
systems, as well as monitor and manage
all levels of operations (e.g., collaborative
management of f l ight upd ates,
collaborative pre-departure runway
sequences, variable taxi time calculations,
turnarounds, resource management
for deicing providers, etc.). Across the
globe, airports are launching A-CDM
initiatives to improve their traffic flows
and overall operations, reduce delays and
better predict events. From Stuttgart
Airport, Frankfurt Airport and Dublin
Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International
Airport, A-CDM initiatives are helping
airports achieve fewer late gate changes
and speedier taxi times. In turn, these
initiatives are delivering benefits to all
stakeholders: the airport, airlines, ground
handlers, deicing providers, terminal
services, and passengers.
Within the realm of A-CDM,
airport decision-making is being further
supported by what is being called the

"Digital Twin" concept. The Digital
Twin concept is a digital representation
of airport assets. For example, it would
present a physical asset (e.g., runways,
terminals, gates, etc.) and its current
status/utilization (i.e., aircraft on the
runways, aircraft at the gates). A 3D
digital representation of the real-time
situation is depicted giving airport
operators and way to clearly see how
assets are being used. Like A-CDM, it
gives airport operations the ability to
make decisions within a data model,
analyze the outcome and then optimize it.

Optimization Software
Applied in A-CDM
Today's optimization software is
an integral component of A-CDM.
Advanced optimization software is able
to integrate data from different sources
and distribute this data to multiple
destinations, while giving the customer
clear visibility and transparency of all
data being processed. The deliverables
of this optimization software within the
A-CDM process are clear and include:
* Prioritization of data between different
sources to enable the use of better
quality or more reliable data (e.g., ETA
data from the Aircraft Communications
Addressing and Reporting System/
ACARS before landing prioritized over
manually-entered ETA data)
* Display of multiple data sources to
create transparency
* Correlation of ATC and airport
flight plans (i.e., sharing data with air
navigation service providers/ANSPs
and creating alerts on mismatched or
missing data)
* Data harmonization and distribution
(i.e., International Air Transport
Association/International Civil
Aviation Organization mapping, time
conversions)
* Re a l - t i m e c a l c u l a t i o n s a n d
prioritizations (i.e., validation and
prioritization of inputs based on the
source, time, deviation, and calculation
of default values and times relating to
deicing, taxi times, etc.)
* The sending of CDM-alerts to all
stakeholders (i.e., emails, display
warnings)
* Information sharing with the aviation
network (i.e., flight updates, departure
planning information)

Optimization software applied in the
A-CDM process and to enhance various
processes, also provides clear advantages.
Take turnaround management, for
instance, optimization software delivers a
high level of transparency across clearance
activities, passenger connections, baggage
handling and crew transfers, along with
interactions which can be monitored
in real time. This enables potential
bottlenecks to be identified early and
communicated via mobile devices to staff
for managing. Imminent f light delays
can be calculated and processes causing
the delays assessed with optimization
solutions recommending delay codes
with associated times, so that the right
measures can be implemented to avoid
or minimize operational disruptions.
Leading optimization software also offers
an optional cost model through which
delay and transfer costs can be compared
as part of the A-CDM process.
Gates and stands management benefit
from planning which is, at once, strategic,
seasonal and tactical. It assists in the
management of gates, apron positions
and terminal resources by automatically
providing key data to all users and thirdparty systems to facilitate maximum
resource utilization and minimum
aircraft tows and passenger bus transports.
The solution takes into consideration
the airport's rule-based requirements
(i.e., size restrictions, minimum ground
times and time intervals, temporary
closures and crossing gates/stand area
passenger f lows, and/or any airline's
priority allocation of advanced positions).
Ramp services are optimized by the
software's real-time scheduling system
which is designed to address the needs
of each operation. It is integrated with
the various airport and airline systems,
including the airport's operational
database, f light information system,
SITA air transport communications
and information technology systems, etc.
The data from these systems, along with
factors relating to the airlines, aircraft
stands load figures and scheduled tows,
are considered so that both staff and
equipment can be optimally utilized.
Dispatchers are kept informed via
visualization of resources and workload,
in addition to relevant factors such
as travel time and staff qualifications
required. All workers benefit from the

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Airport Business

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Airport Business
