Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) Cost Estimation

The Innovation Laboratory, Inc., proposes to build a tool to estimate airline costs under TBO. This tool includes a cost model that explicitly reasons about traffic demand and weather conditions in the National Airspace System (NAS), mathematical models for weather translation and ATM-impact, line of flight impacts of delay propagation, large quantities of historical NAS and airline data ("Big Data"), and fixed and variable cost accounting.

NASA can use this cost estimation tool to address the cost/benefits of TBO. Also, it can be linked to traffic flow management (TFM) optimization algorithms to assess the costs to airlines of TFM strategies.

Many forms of government and industry must work together in NextGen investments. Our cost models transform historical and current weather data into ATM impacts for the purpose of cost estimation. Additionally, airline customers can use our cost estimation models to make informed decisions on the routing, diversion, or cancellation of flights.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.