Method and system for tactical gate management by aviation entities

• US 20050071076A1
• Filed: 08/06/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baiada R. Michael, Lonnie H. Bowlin
• Original Assignee: Baiada R. Michael, Lonnie H. Bowlin
• Inventors: Baiada, R. Michael, Bowlin, Lonnie H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,333,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/120
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0043 Traffic management of multiple aircrafts from the ground G08G5/003 takes precedence; data processing specially designed for resource management, e.g. scheduling or allocating time, human or machine resources G06Q10/06

Abstract

A computer implemented method for an aviation system to manage, consistent with specified system business goals, the temporal assignment of airport gates for use by a plurality of aircraft which are to-be-serviced by specified ground resources, including ground personnel, equipment and supplies, so as to deliver and receive specified passengers, their baggage and cargo during a specified time period, based upon specified data pertaining to the aircraft, passengers and ground resources, includes the steps of: (a) collecting and storing the specified data, (b) processing the data to predict the trajectories of the aircraft, wherein these trajectories including the expected gate arrival time, required ground servicing period and projected departure time of each of the aircraft, (c) processing the data to predict the loads imposed on the ground resources and gates associated with the movement of the passengers, equipment and supplies in relation to the arrival and departure of the aircraft, (d) processing the data, trajectories and loads to identify the various possible ways to distribute the ground system resources and assign the gates so as to meet the time constraints of the predicted trajectories and loads, and (e) assigning to each of the plurality of aircraft a gate for use for a prescribed period, with these assignments being made in such a manner as to allow the aviation system to optimally meet its business goals.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for an aviation entity to manage, consistent with specified entity business goals, the temporal assignment of airport gates for use by a plurality of aircraft which are to-be-serviced by specified ground resources, including ground personnel, equipment and supplies, so as to deliver and receive specified to passengers, their baggage and cargo during a specified time period, based upon specified, temporally-varying data pertaining to said aircraft, passengers and ground resources, said method comprising the steps of:

collecting and storing said specified data,

processing said data to predict the trajectories of said plurality of aircraft, wherein said trajectories including the expected gate arrival time, required ground servicing period and projected departure time of each of said aircraft,

processing said data to predict the loads imposed on said ground resources and gates associated with the movement of said passengers, equipment and supplies in relation to the arrival and departure of said plurality of aircraft,

processing said data, trajectories and loads to identify the various possible ways to assign said gates so as to meet to a specified level the time constraints of said predicted trajectories and loads, and

assigning to each of said plurality of aircraft a gate for use for a prescribed period, with said assignments being made in such a manner as to allow said aviation entity to better meet said business goals.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said assignment step involves the use of a goal function that reflects said entity business goals.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of utilizing a measure to assess the accuracy of said predicted trajectories and loads to determine whether a specified degree of accuracy exists in said predictions before proceeding to identify the various possible ways to assign said gates so as to meet the time constraints of said predicted trajectories and loads.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising the step of utilizing a measure to assess the accuracy of said predicted trajectories and loads to determine whether a specified degree of accuracy exists in said predictions before proceeding to identify the various possible ways to distribute said ground system resources and assign said gates so as to meet the time constraints of said predicted trajectories and loads.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of communicating said gate assignments to specified entity personnel for implementation of said assignments.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the ongoing temporal changes in said specified data so as to identify when said temporal changes to said specified data exceed a specified level,

updating said predicted trajectories and loads when said temporal changes to said specified data exceed said specified level, and

if said specified degree of attainment of said business goals is not met by said previous gate assignments in view of said updated, predicted trajectories and loads, reassigning said gates to said plurality of aircraft in such a manner to allow achievement of specified degree of attainment of said business goals.

7. A computer program product in a computer readable memory for allowing an aviation entity to manage, consistent with specified entity business goals, the temporal assignment of airport gates for use by a plurality of aircraft which are to-be-serviced by specified ground resources, including ground personnel, equipment and supplies, so as to deliver and receive specified passengers, their baggage and cargo during a specified time period, based upon specified data pertaining to said aircraft, passengers and ground resources, said computer program comprising:

a means for collecting and storing said specified data and business goals,

a means for processing said specified data to predict the trajectories of said plurality of aircraft, wherein said trajectories including the expected gate arrival time, required ground servicing period and projected departure time of each of said aircraft,

a means for processing said data to predict the loads imposed on said ground resources and gates associated with the movement of said passengers, equipment and supplies in relation to the arrival and departure of said plurality of aircraft,

a means for processing said data, trajectories and loads to identify the various possible ways to distribute said ground system resources and assign said gates so as to meet the time constraints of said predicted trajectories and loads, and

a means for assigning to each of said plurality of aircraft a gate for use for a prescribed period, with said assignments being made in such a manner as to allow said aviation entity to optimally meet said business goals.

8. A computer program product as recited in claim 7 wherein said assignment means includes the use of a goal function that reflects said entity business goals.

9. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, further comprising a means for utilizing a measure to assess the accuracy of said predicted trajectories and loads to determine whether a specified degree of accuracy exists in said predictions before proceeding to identify the various possible ways to assign said gates so as to meet the time constraints of said predicted trajectories and loads.

10. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, further comprising a means for utilizing a measure to assess the accuracy of said predicted trajectories and loads to determine whether a specified degree of accuracy exists in said predictions before proceeding to identify the various possible ways to assign said gates so as to meet the time constraints of said predicted trajectories and loads.

11. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, further comprising a means for communicating said gate assignments to specified entity personnel for implementation of said assignments.

12. A computer program product as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

a means for monitoring the ongoing temporal changes in said specified data so as to identify when said temporal changes to said specified data exceed a specified level,

a means for updating said predicted trajectories and loads when said temporal changes to said specified data exceed said specified level, and

a means for reassigning said gates to said plurality of aircraft, if said specified degree of attainment of said business goals is not met by said previous gate assignments in view of said updated, predicted trajectories and loads, in such a manner to allow achievement of specified degree of attainment of said business goals.

13. A system, including a processor, memory, display and input device, that allows an aviation entity to manage, consistent with specified entity business goals, the temporal assignment of airport gates for use by a plurality of aircraft which are to-be-serviced by specified ground resources, including ground personnel, equipment and supplies, so as to deliver and receive specified passengers, their baggage and cargo during a specified time period, based upon specified data pertaining to said aircraft, passengers and ground resources, said system comprising:

a means for collecting and storing said specified data and business goals,

a means for processing said specified data to predict the trajectories of said plurality of aircraft, wherein said trajectories including the expected gate arrival time, required ground servicing period and projected departure time of each of said aircraft,

a means for processing said data to predict the loads imposed on said ground resources and gates associated with the movement of said passengers, equipment and supplies in relation to the arrival and departure of said plurality of aircraft,

a means for processing said data, trajectories and loads to identify the various possible ways to assign said gates so as to meet the time constraints of said predicted trajectories and loads, and

a means for assigning to each of said plurality of aircraft a gate for use for a prescribed period, with said assignments being made in such a manner as to allow said aviation entity to optimally meet said business goals.

14. A system as recited in claim 13 wherein said assignment means includes the use of a goal function that reflects said entity business goals.

15. A system as recited in claim 13, further comprising a means for utilizing a measure to assess the accuracy of said predicted trajectories and loads to determine whether a specified degree of accuracy exists in said predictions before proceeding to identify the various possible ways to assign said gates so as to meet the time constraints of said predicted trajectories and loads.

16. A system as recited in claim 14, further comprising a means for utilizing a measure to assess the accuracy of said predicted trajectories and loads to determine whether a specified degree of accuracy exists in said predictions before proceeding to identify the various possible ways to assign said gates so as to meet the time constraints of said predicted trajectories and loads.

17. A system as recited in claim 13, further comprising a means for communicating said gate assignments to specified entity personnel for implementation of said assignments.

18. A system as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

a means for monitoring the ongoing temporal changes in said specified data so as to identify when said temporal changes to said specified data exceed a specified level,

a means for updating said predicted trajectories and loads when said temporal changes to said specified data exceed said specified level, and

a means for reassigning said gates to said plurality of aircraft, if said specified degree of attainment of said business goals is not met by said previous gate assignments in view of said updated, predicted trajectories and loads, in such a manner to allow achievement of specified degree of attainment of said business goals.