Trajectory Clustering with Applications to Airspace Monitoring

Trajectories that constitute typical operations are determined and learned using data-driven methods. Standard procedures are used by air traffic controllers (ATCs) to guide aircraft, ensure the safety of the airspace, and maximize runway occupancy.

Even though standard procedures are used by ATCs, control of the aircraft remains with the pilots, leading to large variability in the flight patterns observed. Two methods for identifying typical operations and their variability from recorded radar tracks are presented. This knowledge base is then used to monitor the conformance of current operations against operations previously identified as typical.