Airport Ground Resource Planning Tool, Phase II

This effort undertakes the creation of an Airport Ground Resource Planning (AGRP) tool. Little or no automation is currently available to support airport ground resource allocation decisions. The AGRP tool provides visualization both of the resource assignments as well as other information relevant to making resource assignment decision. In addition, AGRP automates or advises resource assignments, improving efficiency while reducing workload. In Phase 2, we propose to continue development of the AGRP tool through four work areas. First, we will complete the map and Resource Allocation displays. We will also complete the algorithm to automate resource allocation decisions and integrate it with the displays. The resulting AGRP prototype will be evaluated operationally. We will also extend the Phase 1 work to develop a block out time predictor, which would have tremendous application and benefit in other traffic management systems. In Phase 1, we proposed an architecture in which applications such as AGRP can subscribe to receive SMS data via a standardized interface. In Phase 2 we will complete the specifications for and implementation of this interface, which will replace the existing SMS client-server communication.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: The AGRP tool consists of the displays, methods for manual entry, and algorithms for automated advisories to help manage airport ground resources. Non-NASA applications include use of AGRP outcomes by the FAA, air carriers, airport authorities, and airport ground service providers. The principal FAA application of the AGRP work will be to adopt the re-designed interface between the SMS server and SMS client as a standard. In doing so, the FAA will facilitate receiving air carrier information which benefit the FAA's goal of providing safe and efficient traffic flow. Several air carriers currently use information from the Surface Management System (SMS) to improve the efficiency of their ground operations without any automation explicitly designed for this purpose. The AGRP tool directly addresses this need. Airport authorities or ground service providers may also use AGRP where they are responsible for managing particular ground resources.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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