ROA 2009: C.5 NextGen Concepts and Technology Development Project (CTD1)

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The NextGen Concepts and Technology Development Project will focus on developing capabilities in traffic flow management, dynamic airspace configuration, separation assurance, super density operations, and airport surface operations. Specifically in FY2010, the Project will conduct simulations of automated separation assurance subject to sequencing, spacing, and scheduling constraints. The simulations will evaluate a range of controller and pilot roles and responsibilities. Experiments will be designed with common assumptions, scenarios, uncertainty and metrics such that the experimental results generated by different concepts can be directly compared. Additionally, the Project will expand traffic flow management concepts to address weathermodeling uncertainty to promote higher predictability and efficiency. In addition, in FY2010, the project develops algorithms to generate robust, optimized solutions for surface traffic planning and control, and initial algorithms for airportal arrival and departure balancing. This will include evaluations of benefits in both nominal and off-nominal conditions with increased airportal traffic density and consideration of environmental constraints. The Project will also determine research issues that are on a critical path to airportal metroplex capabilities. Important to all above research activities is the development of human/automation information requirements and decision-making guidelines for human-human and human-machine airportal decision-making. The NextGen Concepts and Technology Development Project team has developed a plan that will integrate solutions for a safe, efficient and highcapacity airspace system through joint research efforts and partnerships with other government agencies. In addition to core research and development to be conducted by NASA, Space Act Agreements will be established with U.S. industry to address research partnerships at the system-wide level including systems integration and operational applications. The Project will utilize this NASA Research Announcement (NRA) to leverage in-house foundational research with academic institutions, non-profit organizations and industry performing foundational research to address technology gaps. Milestone references for Subtopics in this section of the NRA are provided below under the heading ”Milestones Supported” so that it is possible to see how the NRA topics fit into the NASA Aeronautics research plan. These milestones are listed on project roadmaps that are available on the ARMD website (www.aeronautics.nasa.gov, under the Programs link).

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