Discover how the HARMONIC project is delivering the data-driven insights decision makers need to optimise airspace utilisation.
Air traffic is on the rise, with some locations reaching – if not exceeding – pre-pandemic numbers. But staff shortages and limited capacity at air traffic management (ATM) organisations could see this surge cut short.
“When demand outweighs capacity, or the maximum number of aircraft that air traffic controllers can guide at any given time, the result can be increased safety risks, more flight delays, and a decrease in the passenger experience,” says Jacek Kopeć, HARMONIC’s project manager at the Eurocontrol Innovation Hub.
Helping to bring some harmony to these overcrowded skies is HARMONIC.
Driven by a SESAR consortium led by EUROCONTROL with one solution also led by ENAIRE, the project aims to deliver the decision support, deep integration, and advanced tools needed to maintain air space efficiency – even as air traffic intensity continues to grow.
“Our goal is to provide an intuitive, multi-constraint solution that both reconciles and harmonises the often-competing demands of airspace users,” remarks Kopeć.
A suite of solutions for optimising airspace utilisation
To deliver on this goal, the project is developing a suite of solutions for providing decision makers with the data-driven insights they need to optimise airspace utilisation. “These include advanced tools that enable stakeholders to exchange information that is essential to achieving more efficient demand and capacity management, as well as better flight planning,” explains Kopeć.
One of those tools looks to collaboratively manage severely degraded network operations such as disruptive and widespread thunderstorm activity or a serious ATM system malfunction. Another will allow stakeholder business preferences to be fully integrated into the demand and capacity balancing (DCB) process.
As to the latter, Kopeć says that this integration will help air navigation service providers (ANSPs) better understand the critical business needs of airspace users. “Because this allows ANSPs to access this information without the need for excessive coordination, they will be in a position to implement appropriate measures that could help minimise the negative impact a demand-capacity imbalance has on airlines operations,” he explains.
The project is also working on tools to improve the flexibility and dynamicity of airspace management, extending its application from the pre-tactical to the tactical phase. “By allowing for more responsive and dynamic airspace management, these tools have the potential to help achieve more stable and predictable air traffic,” adds Kopeć.
Other tools in the HARMONIC toolbox include a configuration plan optimiser, network DCB solver, and advanced ‘what-if’ functionality. The project also developed solutions to enhance the collaborative decision-making processes and implement dynamic capacity assessment methods, amongst others.
“Put these tools together and what you get is an innovative solution that can take all the different constraints and priorities happening across the entire network and produce a coordinated, network-wide solution,” notes Kopeć.
Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence
According to Kopeć, one of the keys to HARMONIC’s ability to harmonise airspace demand and capacity is its use of advance algorithms – many of which leverage the rapidly evolving power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
“The project stands out in its successful integration of AI and machine learning techniques to support airspace configuration algorithms, predict air traffic flow management thresholds, and optimise real-time operations,” he says. “These technologies have significantly enhanced the accuracy and responsiveness of capacity assessments and sector configurations.”
In addition to coordinating the request and priorities of the airlines, airports, and ANSPs, the project is developing processes for improving civil-military coordination – the net result being an even more optimised airspace.
“By addressing civil military cooperation, the solution offers enhanced information services for dynamic airspace reservations and ensures that the results of this collaborative decision-making process are seamlessly used in air traffic control operations,” adds Kopeć.
Taking airspace management to the next level
Each of the aforementioned solutions and tools will be fully tested to ensure they meet all operational requirements and performance targets, a process that is set to be completed by the end of the year.
“I am confident that the outcome of these tests will be the validation of an efficient and responsive demand and capacity management system – one that optimises the use of available capacity, improves situational awareness, enhances overall operational efficiency and, ultimately, takes airspace management to the next level,” concludes Kopeć.
The HARMONIC project recently published two papers on its solutions, one on Enhanced Dynamic Airspace Configuration Algorithm and the other on Multi-Objective Air Traffic Flow Management.