Hamad International Airport
Airside Capacity AssessmentA detailed airside capacity study is key for capacity declaration purposes and following slot allocation. This project was carried out in cooperation with IATA. [...]
Airspace Traffic and Process Simulation Software
CAST Airspace is the flexible, comprehensive, and most efficient fast-time modelling tool for airspace traffic simulation at and around airports and in the airspace. CAST Airspace enables a rapid, scenario based evaluation of systems in scalable levels of detail, for example to plan and design airspace, remove bottlenecks, or assess and improve a system‘s capacity.
A CAST airspace model covers the airspace network to and from the airports of interest, including its SIDs, STARs and sectors for initial, intermediate and final approach. ATC concepts such as speed control, radar vectoring and holding procedures are considered. CAST Airspace supports the application of Eurocontrol BADA aircraft performance data, which provides realistic altitude and speed profiles for the vast majority of aircraft.
Users and customers of the CAST Airspace Simulation software are airport authorities, airlines, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), administrations, public authorities, research organizations, and consulting companies / planners.
CAST Airspace supports and gives confidence in various task, ranging from capacity assessment to system design and scenario comparison:
- Quantification and assessment of capacity (both throughput and occupation) for airspace sectors (CTA, TMA, CTR including subsectors)
- Airport runway capacity determination
- Quantification and capacity assessment of ATS routes (SID, STAR, Transition, Approach) including system dependencies
- Validation and scenario comparison of ATC procedures, IFP changes, RWY usage concepts
- Optimization of operational performance incl. flight delay, duration, distance (‘track miles flown’)
- Determination of ultimate and declared capacity
- Assessment of environmental aspects like fuel consumption
- Improvement of route and runway allocation strategies
CAST Airspace delivers results of highest quality, speeds up the planning process and helps to achieve better cost efficiencies.
- Short-, medium- and long-term decision support
- Better and faster decision making
- Optimal communication to stakeholders
- Reduced investment costs and risks
- Quick return on invest
- Optimized airspace design and higher efficiency
- More capacity, less delays
- Shorter flight time, distances and minimized emissions
- Enhanced operational airspace quality
The user-friendly interface allows fast and straightforward modelling of comprehensive and complex structures as they appear in the real world.
Leading to most reliable results, numerous specific parameters, usage rules and concepts such as airspace and runway allocation strategies or advanced radar vectoring can be implemented. Besides the generation of all relevant KPI and statistical data, the high quality 3D visualization is an essential feature for qualitative analysis, stakeholder communication and to convince decision makers.
Software features:
- Straight forward and quick model-set up
- Automated CAD data and flight schedule import
- Setup of routes, holdings, SIDs, STARS etc. by predefined object library
- Comprehensive aircraft data base (Eurocontrol’s BADA-Database)
- Automated assignment of optimum trajectory
- Dynamic re-routing and conflict resolution (including holdings)
- Analysis of airspace sector occupancy and throughput
- Impact on delay, additional fuel burn and ATC workload
- Comprehensive scenario management
- High-quality 3D visualization for highest management attention
CAST Airspace will be provided in combination with CAST Aircraft to cover airport ground operations and airspace within one environment. In addition, an integration with other CAST tools, such as Stand & Gate Allocation, Ground Handling Simulation and Passenger Terminal Simulation is possible.
Selected Airspace and Airside Projects
Numerous simulation and capacity assessment projects projects have been carried out by CAST users around the world. The following list shows some CAST project examples that were conducted by the ARC consulting team.
Vienna International Airport
Airside and Runway Capacity StudyTest before implement – How would a new runway affect the potential airside capacity? [...]
Bogota El Dorado International Airport
Runway Capacity Analysis and EnhancementBy using a ‘virtual airport’ with CAST Aircraft as testbed for what-if scenarios, operational strategies could be optimized without disturbing the actual traffic flow. [...]
Additional Consulting Services
To ensure a quick start and immidiate success ARC offers consulting services, training as well as support for the initial set-up of a model.
As an further option the Continuous Modelling Service (CMS) does not only include the set-up of a 3D-CAST model of the airport but also a predefined simulation service on a regular base in order to check defined airport parts or to test next season’s schedule. For ARC and its worldwide clients a close and long term cooperation is one of the most important key factors to ensure the best possible outcomes and ensure the sustainable use of the CAST technology.
SUPPORT
Subsequent to the training experienced CAST experts take care of the user support. The ARC helpdesk is there to answer technical questions regarding the use of CAST for specific tasks, technical problems or special features of CAST. Further, individual modelling and project support is available as an option.
CAST USER CONFERENCE
Being a CAST User means becoming a member of the CAST User Community. Every year, CAST users from various international airports, airlines and consulting companies come together to network with other experts, share experiences, talk about projects, gain insights into the latest developments and discuss CAST’s vision for the future.