4D Skyways

The SESAR Horizon 2020 4DSkyways project (Project 18 Wave 2) is continuing to research trajectory management (TM) to enable the deployment of trajectory-based operations (TBO). The project started in December 2019 and aims to deliver validated results by mid-2023 (taking into account a six-month extension owing to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis). The project includes over 20 validation exercises with many real-time simulations.

The main objectives of PJ18-W2 and its solutions are as follows:

• PJ18-W2 will publish and maintain a Trajectory Management Document (TMD) which describes the “big picture” of trajectory management (TM) developments, helping to build a European view on TM to support discussions at the ICAO ATM-RPP (on FF-ICE developments).
• Solution 53 will prepare the deployment of improvements to the ground trajectory prediction and separation management/monitoring tools by using aircraft trajectory data, more precise meteorological data, improved algorithms and machine learning techniques. This will decrease trajectory uncertainty and thus will reduce ATCO workload and increase airspace capacity.
• Solution 56 will prepare the deployment of complex CPDLC clearances sent in advance of the horizontal, vertical and longitudinal trajectory change to enhance the synchronisation of the airborne trajectory with the ground trajectory. Automation will keep the flight crew and the ATCO workload to a low level. It will decrease trajectory uncertainty and increase airspace capacity.
• Solution 57 will address the definition and validation of new, more automated A/G and G/G trajectory exchanges (e.g. ground tools and airborne tools using big data analytics and machine learning, machine reasoning and multi-criteria ranking of resolutions, what-if air-ground trajectories). All these promising automation developments are expected to increase ATCO productivity.
• Solution 88 will define a trajectory common service as an alternative architecture for trajectory exchanges between ground ATM actors compared with the current European ATM fragmented approach, in order to improve its cost effectiveness.

PJ18-W2 will work on the definition and validation of operational TM solutions using prototypes and the expertise of European ANSPs, ground and airborne industries, research centres, airspace users and EUROCONTROL.

The project designs, develops and validates trajectory management improvements which aim to increase airspace capacity, and fuel efficiency and safety.

EUROCONTROL is the overall project manager for the 4D Skyways project and the solution leader for Solution 56.

We contribute:

• operational, technical, architecture and validation expertise in the field of ATM operations;
• project management and grant management expertise related to large-scale projects involving multiple international partners;
• validation platforms at our Brussels and Brétigny facilities.

Project 18 Wave 2 will deliver a Trajectory Management Document providing a “big picture” of TM developments.

Solutions 53, 56 and 57 will deliver validated data packs comprising SPR/INTEROP-OSED, TS/IRS, contextual notes and validation reports.

Solution 88 will deliver a TPCS Service Description.

AIRBUS, DLR/NLR (AT-One), ANS/PANSA (B4), ACG/CCL/IAA/LFV/Naviair (COOPANS), DFS, DSNA, ENAIRE, ENAV, EUROCONTROL, HONEYWELL SAS, INDRA, LDO, AIRTEL (NATMIG), NATS, SKYGUIDE, THALES LAS and THALES AVS.