Applications - Procedure Development

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Procedure Development

The FAA regulates air and surface traffic under broad guidelines applicable to the conditions at any airport. Since each airport is a unique operating environment, air traffic and ramp controllers manage traffic, following procedures developed for their airport. The aim of all procedures is to speed aircraft on their way safely and efficiently.

NASA FutureFlight Central is a virtual air traffic control tower where planners, managers, controllers, pilots, and airlines can work together in real time to evaluate new airport procedures in a live risk-free work environment.

Customer Case Study: Los Angeles International Airport Runway Incursion Studies: Alternatives Simulation

The LAX Phase II Alternatives Simulation evaluated several candidate LAX airport changes designed to reduce runway incursion incidents, thus increasing airport safety.

Diagram showing proposed B-16 Taxiway extension

LAX tested six alternatives, combining changes to the airport with new procedures for routing traffic. Alternatives tested included landing on the inboards, adding a second controller to the South side, and routing traffic via a proposed B-16 Taxiway extension. Tested traffic conditions included departure and arrival rushes, programmed for an operational throughput capacity of 170 operations per hour.

The two most favored alternatives utilized the B-16 Taxiway extension. Controllers rated these alternatives as having the least potential for a runway incursion and as being safer compared with today's LAX operations. Controllers also gave these alternatives high marks for traffic management ease and efficiency. Departure rates were the highest of any of the alternatives.

The study team, composed of representatives from the airport, airlines, controllers, and the FAA, cooperatively designed the alternatives.

For more information, see the Phase I: Baseline Simulation and Phase II: Alternatives Simulation.