METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ALERTING AN AIRCRAFT CREW MEMBER OF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT BETWEEN AIRCRAFT ON A TAXIWAY

• US 20100017105A1
• Filed: 05/29/2007
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Tomaszewski, Edward, Pepitone, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,962,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/120
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0008 with other aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling

Abstract

Methods and system are provided for alerting an aircraft crew member of a potential conflict between a first aircraft and a second aircraft on a first taxiway. Real-time positioning data related to the first aircraft on the first taxiway is monitored. Data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft is monitored. A prediction is made as to whether the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway, based on the monitored data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft. The potential conflict is indicated on the first taxiway, if a prediction is made that the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway.

Claims

1. A method for alerting an aircraft crew member of a potential conflict between a first aircraft and a second aircraft on a first taxiway, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring data related to real-time positioning the first aircraft on the first taxiway;

monitoring data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft;

predicting whether the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway, based on the monitored data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft; and

indicating the potential conflict on the first taxiway, if a prediction is made that the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft comprises receiving data related to the second aircraft from an automatic dependent surveillance broadcast system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first taxiway comprises a plurality of segments and:

the step of monitoring data related to real-time positioning the first aircraft comprises identifying a segment on which the first aircraft is located;

the step of monitoring data related to real-time positioning the second aircraft comprises identifying a segment on which the second aircraft is positioned;

comparing the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned; and

determining a potential conflict exists, when the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned are located relative to each other such that the first aircraft is not provided with an egress from the first taxiway.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of predicting comprises:

calculating a turning radius of the second aircraft from the monitored real-time positioning data of the second aircraft;

projecting a predicted path of the second aircraft from the calculated turning radius; and

determining whether a potential conflict exists, based on the predicted path.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first taxiway comprises a plurality of segments and:

the step of monitoring data related to real-time positioning the first aircraft comprises identifying a segment on which the first aircraft is located;

the step of predicting further comprises determining whether the predicted path indicates the second aircraft will travel on the first taxiway;

if the predicted path indicates the second aircraft will travel on the first taxiway, assigning the second aircraft with a segment of the first taxiway closest to the second aircraft;

comparing the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned; and

determining a potential conflict exists, when the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned are located relative to each other such that the first aircraft is not provided with an egress from the first taxiway.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of indicating comprises producing and supply display commands to display a segment of the first taxiway and producing and supplying display commands to change an appearance of the segment of the first taxiway.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the segment of the first taxiway has a first color and the step of changing the appearance of the segment comprises changing the segment of the first taxiway to a second color.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of changing the appearance comprises flashing the segment of the first taxiway.

9. A system for alerting an aircraft crew member of a potential conflict between a first aircraft and a second aircraft on a first taxiway, the system configured to be disposed within the first aircraft and comprising:

a processing system adapted to monitor data related to real-time positioning the first aircraft on the first taxiway, to monitor data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft, to make a prediction as to whether the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway, based on the monitored data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft, and to produce and supply display commands indicating the potential conflict on the first taxiway, in response to a prediction that is made that the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processing system is further adapted to identify a segment on which the first aircraft is located, identify a segment on which the second aircraft is positioned, to compare the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned, and to determine a potential conflict exists, if the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned are located relative to each other such that the first aircraft is not provided with an egress from the first taxiway.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the processing system is further adapted to calculate a turning radius of the second aircraft from the monitored real-time positioning data thereof, to project a predicted path of the second aircraft from the calculated turning radius, and to determine whether a potential conflict exists, based on the predicted path.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processing system is further adapted to identify a segment on which the first aircraft is located, to determine whether the predicted path indicates the second aircraft will travel on the first taxiway, to associate the second aircraft with a segment of the first taxiway closest to the second aircraft, if the predicted path indicates the second aircraft will travel on the first taxiway, to compare the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned, and to determine a potential conflict exists, if the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned are located relative to each other such that the first aircraft is not provided with an egress from the first taxiway.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the system further comprises a display and the processing system is further adapted to supply a command to the display to display the potential conflict on the first taxiway.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processing system is further adapted to supply a command to the display to display the potential conflict on the display by changing an appearance of a segment of the first taxiway.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processing system is further adapted to supply a command to the display to change the segment of the first taxiway from a first color to a second color.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the processing system is further adapted to supply a command to the display to cause the segment to flash.

17. A flight deck display system for alerting an aircraft crew member of a potential conflict between a first aircraft and a second aircraft on a first taxiway, the system comprising:

a processing system adapted to monitor data related to real-time positioning of the first aircraft on the first taxiway, to monitor data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft, to make a prediction as to whether the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway, based on the monitored data related to real-time positioning of the second aircraft, and to produce and supply image rendering display commands indicating the potential conflict on the first taxiway, in response to a prediction that is made that the second aircraft will enter the first taxiway; and

a display device coupled to receive the image rendering display commands and operable, in response thereto, to render at least the first taxiway, the first aircraft, and the second aircraft and to selectively display the potential conflict on the first taxiway.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing system is further adapted to identify a segment on which the first aircraft is located, identify a segment on which the second aircraft is positioned, to compare the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned, and to determine a potential conflict exists, if the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned are located relative to each other such that the first aircraft is not provided with an egress from the first taxiway.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing system is further adapted to calculate a turning radius of the second aircraft from the monitored real-time positioning data thereof, to project a predicted path of the second aircraft from the calculated turning radius, and to determine whether a potential conflict exists, based on the predicted path.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the processing system is further adapted to identify a segment on which the first aircraft is located, to determine whether the predicted path indicates the second aircraft will travel on the first taxiway, to associate the second aircraft with a segment of the first taxiway closest to the second aircraft, if the predicted path indicates the second aircraft will travel on the first taxiway, to compare the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned, and to determine a potential conflict exists, if the segment on which the first aircraft is located and the segment on which the second aircraft is positioned are located relative to each other such that the first aircraft is not provided with an egress from the first taxiway.