Method and System for Air Traffic Rerouting for Air-space Constraint Resolution

National Airspace System (NAS) Constraint Evaluation and Notification Tool (NASCENT) employs a NAS-wide simulation and analysis infrastructure that implements airspace constraint avoidance algorithms for efficient routing. NASCENT uses NASA-developed aircraft performance tables for computing climb, cruise, and descent trajectories. Reference routes are created that save more than a user-specified number (e.g., five) minutes of flying-time savings. The return capture fix for the reference route is the last fix on the current flight plan within a limit region (derived using this patented technology). A Maneuver Start Point is selected to allow time for coordination of the reroute with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These routes are checked against the weather polygons, FAA denoted Special Use Airspaces (e.g., Military Operations Areas) and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs); and additional waypoints are added to avoid these airspace constraints. The wind-corrected flying-time savings are reported for each flight. The polygons are first converted into convex hulls and inflated by a user-specified number of nautical miles (e.g., 20, for weather) to account for the FAA requirements. Lateral and/or vertical advisories are created using a binary tree search along the left-side and right-side, up to the return capture fix, to find a minimum-deviation delay solution. The NASCENT system provides notification for congested sectors along the current flight plan and the proposed avoidance route, along with flights impacted by FAA imposed required Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs, reroutes, Ground Delay Programs, etc.). The reroutes can be implemented with no changes required to the current FAA operational infrastructure. NASA Ames Research Center's National Airspace System (NAS) Constraint Evaluation and Notification Tool (NASCENT) is a dynamic, ground-based, airspace constraint avoidance system that automatically analyzes routes of flying or predeparture aircraft, in or near constrained regions (due to weather, Special Use Airspace (SUA), etc.) It continuously analyzes time and fuel efficient reroutes around current and predicted constraints for thousands of flights in real-time. NASCENT provides an evaluation of operationally viable and historically implemented routes that save more than a user-specified number of minutes of wind-corrected flying time savings, for all the 20 Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs or Centers) in the NAS, simultaneously. The system includes a flexible and intuitive graphical user interface that allows users to visualize, evaluate, modify (rubber-banding functionality), if necessary, and implement proposed reroutes (under current operational procedures).