Results from SESAR Exercise at Hamburg Airport: Detection of Conflicting ATC Clearances

Abstract

One of the most serious safety concerns in air traffic control are runway incursions. Traditional Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems level 2 safety systems detect runway incursions and potential collisions. The subsequent alerts to controllers often require immediate reaction by the controllers. A new, additional safety net for tower runway controllers was developed to provide longer reaction times for certain kinds of imminent runway conflicts. This new safety net detects if controllers give a conflicting clearance to an aircraft or vehicle contradictory to another clearance already given to another mobile. The new safety net concept was developed in context of SESAR. It was tested in a shadow mode validation exercise at the operational environment of Hamburg Airport (Germany). Operational feasibility was tested in order to clarify if operational requirements in terms of usability are fulfilled. At the same time operational improvements regarding safety were studied.