Simulation study on trajectory-based high density operations with helicopters

This paper describes a preliminary study exploring the possibility of implementing a trajectory-based operations concept in high-density traffic with a large proportion of helicopters, as may occur during disaster relief operations such as after major earthquakes. Based on a trajectory-based operations concept proposed by JAXA, a sample traffic situation was constructed and a number of fast time simulations were conducted varying the traffic situation and the separation assurance and sequencing algorithm. The simulations revealed some dominant parameters which control the throughput of helicopter traffic, and also suggested that an "overlapped approach concept" has potential for increasing throughput. Although the modeling was primitive, the simulation proved its utility as a system design tool for the trajectory-based operations concept.