OPs-TIMAL

The development, implementation and integration of the monitoring and control system for turnaround processes comprises four work packages:

• Definition of use cases, provision and filtering of real operating data as well as extraction of relevant failure scenarios
• Microscopic modeling of the individual processes of the turnaround and associated options for the process manager, as well as development of an optimization algorithm and prototypical implementation of the control methods
• Development of network-wide evaluation functions, as well as definition and implementation of interfaces to participating systems
• Development and implementation of the interaction to a holistic optimization tool for the integrative, robust fleet management

The scientific approach is based on a process sequence graph for parallel turnaround operations (see figure below), on which a Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (RCPSP) is defined. Thus, both the possibilities of process acceleration and resource-related network dependencies can be modeled and fed to an optimal solution. The solution is integrated into a "holistic" control system.

© IFL

Evler, J., Schultz, M., Fricke, H. (2022b): Stochastic Delay Cost Functions to Estimate Delay Propagation under Uncertainty – IEEE Access 10

Evler, J., Lindner, M., Fricke, H., Schultz, M. (2022): Integration of Turnaround and Aircraft Recovery to Mitigate Delay Propagation in Airline Networks - Computers & Operations Research 138

Evler, J., Schultz, M., Fricke, H. (2021): Flight Prioritization and Turnaround Recovery, 14th  ATM R&D Seminar 2021, online

Asadi, E., Schultz, M., Fricke, H. (2021): Optimal Schedule Recovery for the Aircraft Gate Assignment with Constrained Resources, Computer & Industrial Engineering 162

Evler J., Asadi E., Preis H., Fricke H. (2021) - "Airline ground operations: Schedule recovery optimization approach with constrained resources - Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies 128

Evler J., Asadi E., Preis H., Fricke H. (2021) - "Airline ground operations: Optimal schedule recovery with uncertain arrival times" - Journal of Air Transport Management 92, Best Paper Award at the International Conference on Research in Air Transportation (ICRAT 2020) as "Integrated Operations Control at Hub-Airports with Uncertain Arrival Times"

Evler J., Schultz M., Fricke H., Cook A. (2020) - "Development of Stochastic Delay Cost Functions"- SESAR Innovation Days 2020, online

Schultz M., Evler J., Asadi E., Preis H., Fricke H., Wu C.-L. (2020) - "Future aircraft turnaround operations considering post-pandemic requirements" - Journal of Air Transport Management 89

Asadi E., Evler J., Preis, H., Fricke H. (2020) - "Coping with Uncertainties in Predicting the Aircraft Turnaround Target at Airports" - Proceedings of the Operations Research Conference 2019, Dresden, Germany

Evler J., Asadi E., Preis H., Fricke H. (2018) - "Stochastic Control of Turnarounds at HUB-Airports - A Microscopic Optimization Modell Supporting Recovery Decisions in Day-to-Day Airline Ground Operations" - SESAR Innovation Days 2018, Salzburg, Austria

Master Thesis Guhr (2022) - "ATFM slot trading between airlines in capacity constraints"

Master Thesis Hannemann (2022) - "Influence of an airline's network strategy on its delay costs"

Master Thesis Labitzke (2022) - "Investigation of dependencies in the resource-based turnaround control of two airlines and a ground handler"

Student Thesis Höfer (2021) - "Analysing the influence of Dynamic Cost Indexing on turnaround management"

Diploma Thesis Zhang (2021) - "Stability of turnaround control under the influence of uncertainties"

Master Thesis Chen (2021) - "Estimation of Estimated Aircraft Turnaround Time (ETTT) with Uncertain Activity Durations using Fuzzy Critical Path Method"

Master Thesis Stiller (2021) - "Integration of approach and departure prioritisation mechanisms into a turnaround control model"

Diploma Thesis Werner (2020) - "Network control of an airline with flight-specific delay costs"

Diploma Thesis Matschewsky (2020) - "Process optimisation considering error frequencies and consequential costs due to aircraft damage during turnaround"

Student Thesis Berger (2019) - "Evaluation of Modelling Approaches for Crew Pairing and Crew Rostering"

Student Thesis Werner (2019) - "Analysis of Passenger Gate Handling Activities for the Development of a Process Control Modell under Consideration of Airline Service-Level-Agreements"

Diploma Thesis Brauer (2018) - "Simulation of Turnaround Processes using the Macroscopic Simulation Software ARENA"

Bachelor Thesis Bräutigam (2018) - "Evaluation of Aircraft Quick-Turnarounds at High-frequented Airport for the Development of a Decision-Support Mechanism"

Diploma Thesis Link (2017) - "Assessment of Control Measures for Inbound Delay Reduction at the Lufthansa Hub Control Center in Frankfurt"