Requirements analysis for future automated air traffic control over the North Pacific

A computer simulation which models current and future operating environments, including traffic demands, route structures, winds, and separation criteria, is described. Metrics are defined to highlight parameter sensitivities for optimizing direct operating costs, and to provide an assessment of time and fuel penalties under suboptimum operating conditions. The results are intended to help the designers of the future North Pacific (NOPAC) system increase airspace capacity and operational efficiency. Requirements are established for further research to automate air traffic control (ATC) functions for future real-time closed-loop control of aircraft over the ocean.< >