Evaluation of efficiency and reliability of airport processes using simulation tools

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of airport processes using simulation tools. A critical review of selected scientific studies relating to the performance of airport processes with respect to reliability, particularly within the apron, has been undertaken. The developed decision-making model evaluates the efficiency of airport processes in terms of minimizing penalties associated with aircraft landing before or after the scheduled landing time. The model takes into account, among other things, aircraft take-offs and landings and separation times between successive aircraft. In order to be able to verify the correctness of the decision-making model, a simulation tool was developed to support decision making in the implementation of airport operations based on a genetic algorithm. A novel development of the structure of a genetic algorithm as well as crossover and mutation operators adapted to the determination of aircraft movement routes on the apron is presented. The developed simulation tool was verified on real input data.