Air Traffic Control

Course for Spring 2008

December 21, 2008

16.72 Air Traffic Control (Spring 2008)
Instructor: Hamsa Balakrishnan (hamsa@mit.edu)

TR 9:30-11am

The US air transportation system is rapidly approaching the limits of its capacity and the demand is expected to grow by a factor of 2–3 in the next two decades. There is an important need to develop and implement solutions that increase the efficiency of the system, while maintaining safety and limiting environmental impact. Topics discussed in this course will include: capacity enhancement under safety constraints; communication, navigation and surveillance systems; air traffic flow management; environmental issues surrounding aviation; incorporating weather forecasts and forecast uncertainty into the planning of operations; scheduling of terminal-area and airport resources; new operational concepts for next-generation air transportation systems in the US and abroad.

This semester, the class will emphasize algorithm design, analysis, and implementation issues for air traffic management systems, applying them to the topics mentioned above.

Graduate, H-Level, 3-0-9.