Separation standards under automated separation assurance

An algorithm that can be used with automated separation assurance algorithms was developed to control the time an agent has to detect and resolve conflicts should a large discrete error occur in an aircraft's trajectory. This algorithm, while increasing the safety of automated separation assurance algorithms, can be used as the basis for separation standards. Instead of static, distance-based separation standards, aircraft can be separated such that a certain period of time is always available to detect and resolve conflicts. Depending on the operational concept under which the algorithms are used, a reduction in separation can be achieved, with the requisite increase in capacity. While the magnitude of such improvements depends strongly on the operational concept, when using the concept as an alternative to today's separation standards it is expected that delay reductions of 4% or more could be obtained. Moreover, even if existing separation standards are maintained, the algorithm can improve safety without substantially increasing delay.