Trajectory optimization using TOMATO and SOPHIA
Along the ambitious Single European Sky (SESAR) objectives which are a increase in capacity, environmental sustainability, and reduction in costs, air space users shall be freed from some of the numerous operational constraints during flight. In order to reach these targets, concepts as Trajectory Based Operations (TBO) and Reference Business Trajectories (RBT) enable air carriers to choose optimal and efficient flight profiles based on their individual requirements. Therefore, the Chair of Air Transport Technology and Logistics at Technische Universität Dresden developes models for the optimization of waypointless trajectories within a four-dimensional environment.
This is primarily the identification of the most eco-efficient flight path by a Shortest Path algorithm and a coupled calculation of an energy-optimal vertical profile by the SOPHIA performance model (Sophisticated Aircraft Performance Model). Both optimization modules and an additional assessment module iteratively improve the trajectory within the software platform TOMATO (TOolchain for Multicriteria Aircraft Trajectory Optimization). Figure 1 shows input and output data and the optimization process.
TOMATO and SOPHIA are used and enhanced in the following projects:
- ReMAP: Risk analysis and conflict resolution of multi-criteria-efficient approach and departure procedures
- ProfiFuel: Improved planning and realization of flight profiles with the lowest ecological footprint and minimum fuel consumption
- UTOPIA II: Enhanced Flight Planning by introducing stochastic trajectory data
- CDO-Speedbrakes: Optimized CDO under uncertain environmental and mission conditions
- MEFUL: Minimizing Flight Emissions while Sustaining Guaranteed Operational Safety as a Contribution to an Environmental Friendly Air Transport System

Figure 1: Workflow of trajectory optimization and assessment with TOMATO