A Tool for the Evaluation of Proposed TFM Initiatives

Metron Aviation, Inc. builds the Pre-Operations Hypothesis Evaluation Tool (PROPHET), a tool for Traffic Flow Management (TFM) that integrates existing and emerging technologies in the areas of modeling and operations analysis to enable the evaluation of proposed TFM initiatives. The key innovation of this effort is the integration of the Post Operations Evaluation Tool (POET) and the Future ATM Concepts Evaluation Tool (FACET) to accomplish ew tasks that neither of these tools can do alone. This development leverages the following key features: FACET?s trajectory prediction and modeling capabilities, and POET?s mature database management system and operations analysis tools. By integrating the tools we provide a system allowing Traffic Flow Managers to investigate future TFM initiatives in real-time. These users then exploit the tool?s analysis capabilities to observe and compare the benefits and impacts of several proposed initiatives prior to operational implementation ? an assessment carried out based on explicit reasoning regarding uncertainty. In Phase I, we provided a proof-of-concept, demonstrating technical feasibility. In Phase II, we develop a plug-and-play module for FACET enabling interaction with POET?s databases and data mining capabilities and providing users access to PROPHET functionality. Phase II culminates in a demonstration of this plug-and-play functionality.