Runway Occupancy Time Extraction and Analysis Using Surface Track Data

Accurate and timely performance information is critical for the design of airport infrastructure and its operations. Performance data for airborne operations has been well developed over the last three decades based on the availability of radar track data. For example the Aviation System Performance Metrics (ASPM) data-base is replete with data to analyze Air Traffic Control performance. Airport surface performance data has been a metaphorical “black hole.” The recent installation and availability of surface track data (e.g. ASDE-X) provides the basis for derivation of critical airport surface operational data such as gate assignments, runway assignments, taxi-routes, ramp trajectories and taxiway queuing. This paper describes the methods for extraction and analysis of surface track data for Runway Occupancy Time (ROT). Runway occupancy time (ROT) data is essential to effectively monitor current airport operating efficiencies and to plan for the introduction of new aircraft surface movement guidance and control systems. A fast and accurate algorithm to calculate ROT using surface track data is described. The method is generic and can be applied to any runway at any airport. A case study for Dallas Forth Worth (DFW) Airport is provided.