Abstract:
With Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) as a generic concept of
working together of all airport partners, the main aim of this research project was to
increase the understanding of the Influences on the Target Off-Block Time (TOBT)
Prediction Accuracy during A-CDM. Predicting the TOBT accurately is important,
because all airport partners use it as a reference time for the departure of the flights after
the aircraft turn-round. Understanding such influencing factors is therefore not only
required for finding measures to counteract inaccurate TOBT predictions, but also for
establishing a more efficient A-CDM turn-round process.
The research method chosen comprises a number of steps. Firstly, within the
framework of a Cognitive Work Analysis, the sub-processes as well as the information
requirements during turn-round were analysed. Secondly, a survey approach aimed at
finding and describing situations during turn-round that are critical for TOBT adherence
was pursued. The problems identified here were then investigated in field observations
at different airlines’ operation control rooms. Based on the findings from these previous
steps, small-scale human-in-the-loop experiments were designed aimed at testing
hypotheses about data/information availability that influence TOBT predictability. A
turn-round monitoring tool was developed for the experiments.
As a result of this project, the critical chain of turn-round events and the decisions
necessary during all stages of the turn-round were identified. It was concluded that
information required but not shared among participants can result in TOBT inaccuracy
swings. In addition, TOBT predictability was shown to depend on the location of the
TOBT turn-round controller who assigns the TOBT: More reliable TOBT predictions
were observed when the turn-round controller was physically present at the aircraft.
During the experiments, TOBT prediction could be improved by eight minutes, if
available information was cooperatively shared ten minutes prior turn-round start
between air crews and turn-round controller; TOBT prediction could be improved by 15
minutes, if additional information was provided by ramp agents five minutes after turnround
start.
