Lean, Green, Flying Machines: Control Algorithms for Better Air Transportation Systems

Abstract

Modern air transportation systems are complex cyber-physical networks that are critical to global travel and commerce. As the demand for air transport has grown, so have congestion, flight delays, and the resultant environmental impacts. With further growth in demand expected, new control techniques are needed, perhaps even with redesign of some parts of the system, in order to prevent cascading delays and excessive pollution.

This talk presents examples of control and optimization algorithms for air transportation systems that are grounded in real-world data, including their implementation and testing in both simulations and in field trials. These algorithms help us address several challenges, including resource allocation with multiple stakeholders, robustness in the presence of operational uncertainties, and developing decision-support tools that account for human operators and their behavior.