Projects

The aim of this project is to develop a detailed guidance for the analysis of data collected by ASMT like tools (ASDG tools - Automatic Safety Data Gathering). At the present moment limited support is offered to users for the analysis and interpretation of the recorded data. The ASMT-DAG project addresses this issue by defining an analysis guide for the data gathered by the ASMT tool, in order to support the ASMT users in the identification of safety issues and in the development of improvement actions.

The effective development of an ASMT Data Analysis Guide (ADAG) requires the collection of information on the following areas: (i) ATM safety metrics, (ii) data provided by ASMT, (iii) needs of the ASMT user group, (iv) data analysis processes and methods. These four areas provide the required information to prepare the data analysis guide. The guide is structured as a list of ASMT potential uses, and supports the users in the conduct of the analyses by providing the method to be followed, the data to be gathered, and some concrete examples.

The data analysis guidance is developed in close collaboration with the ASMT User Group, whose comments and requests for change are integrated in the data guidance. The analyses proposed in the ASMT-DAG project are validated using samples of operational data provided by an ASMT user.

About ASMT

ASMT is a tool for the detection, storage and off-line analysis of ATM occurrences. The current version of the tool includes six modules which automatically record:

• PRX occurrences: detection of infringements of specified minimum vertical and horizontal distances between aircraft;
• RA occurrences: recording of mode S downlink messages of TCAS-RAs;
• STCA occurrences: recording of STCA alerts;
• ALT occurrences: detection of aircraft which do not comply with the cleared flight level ;
• APW occurrences: recording of alerts for predicted infringement of  segregated airspace;
• AP occurrences: detection of unauthorised penetrations of a segregated airspace.

For every occurrence, ASMT gathers all the relevant information shortly before, during and shortly after the occurrence and stores this information into a database for further analysis by safety experts. ASMT has been designed to support users in closely monitoring the overall ATM safety. ASMT recorded data can inform studies in the following domains:

• Airspace / Route design
• Airway structure / Procedures
• Sector configuration
• Traffic distribution / Sector charge
• Regulation / Flow management

Deep Blue has been involved in three different ASMT related projects - two of these currently ongoing - and developed first quality experience in the tool usage. In particular, we are able to support ASMT users in the methodological aspects of the data gathering and analysis. Starting from their requirements, we define with users which data to analyse, how to conduct the analysis, and how to present the results. We also provide guidance for the ASMT installation, ensuring that the ASMT tool is properly configured for the intended uses.