ATM Evaluation of Volcanic Ash Optimized Trajectories in Europe

Abstract

This paper represents the first results on the ATC sector capacity within the internal DLR project named VolcATS (Volcanic ash impact on the Air Transport System). The general objectives of the project are among the others, the development of a satellite based solution to determine ash-free airspace and generate a short-term forecast during a volcanic eruption, the construction of an ash warning system for aircraft by detecting ash and sulfur dioxide with aircraft mounted sensors, and the development of flight management procedures and policies for fast response to volcanic ash in the air for minimizing the impact on air traffic. Trying to channel the goal of the project in terms of air traffic management (ATM), it leads to a concept with flexible ATM, which is able to react improved in case of explosive volcanic eruptions. The goal covers the pre-flight trajectory optimization process based on the core volcanic ash information provided for the purposes of the project by the Institute for Atmospheric Physics at DLR. Among the other challenges in the project, this paper focuses on the reanalysis of one day high affected by volcanic ash scenario in 2010, as well as the investigations of the effects on the ATC sector capacity in the affected areas. The ATM post optimization analysis will be done with the help of a fast time simulation tool named AirTOp (Air traffic optimization tool).