Creation of an Air Traffic Simulation Using Agent-Based
Modeling
Sam Eberspacher
TJHSST Computer Systems Lab 2007-2008
Abstract:
As the skies over the United States become increasingly
crowded, airports in the United States are increasingly
stressed to adapt to this increased demand. The goal of
this project is to visually represent the strain on airports
and passengers as a variety of problems generate record
delays. By using agent based modeling, along with real air
traffic information, this simulation may accurately predict
the proliferation of delays through out airports in the United
States.
Background:
The purpose of this project is to visually represent the
proliferation of a delay throughout a system of airports. By
using techiques such as agent based modelling, the
simulation will predict actual delays with decent accuracy.
Additionally by repeating the simulation multiple times, the
simulation generates increasingly accurate results as the
number of trials approached infinity. While a simulation such
as this would take a human enormous amounts of time, a
computer may be able to run a simulation of 24 hours in a
matter of minutes. Due to the scale of the problem, efficiency
will be key for the computer to run the simulation in a timely
matter.
Agent-Based Modeling:
In order to simulate such a large system, this project will use a
technique known as agent based modelling. The deveopment of a
system using agent based modelling is key for the success of the
project. Each agent must interact with other agents in the system in
the most realistic way possible in order to generate the most
accurate results. One benefit of the agent based modelling is that
parameters for interaction between agents define the overall
behavior of the system. This allows the programmer to work on much
smaller problems with the agent in order to alter the overall system.
Geocoding:
Geocoding is a process by which a formatted address such as
6560 Braddock Rd. Alexandria, VA 22312 is converted to a longit