Citation

Pérez-Castán JA, Gómez Comendador F, Rodríguez-Sanz A, Armas Cabrera I, Torrecilla J. Safety Sci. 2019; 111: 7-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ssci.2018.08.018

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The efficient and safe introduction of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in non-segregated airspace requires a thorough assessment of all operational elements. In this paper, we dealt with the safety problem that arises from the integration of RPAS jointly with conventional aircraft in non-segregated airspace. The authors propose a framework and methodology for airspace design and planning purposes based on a conflict-risk method. This method compares a target level of safety (base-scenario without RPAS) with the calculated level of safety (scenario with RPAS). Moreover, the framework proposes an in-depth assessment by identifying geometrical and operational factors that may affect conflict risk. These conflict-risk factors are critical for RPAS integration and must be assessed to detect relations between them and conflict risk. Moreover, we have performed a sensitivity analysis to assess how RPAS average speed affects conflict risk. A real air traffic volume is studied to characterise a conflict-risk indicator, and different permutations to the base-scenario study the RPAS integration all over airways.

RESULTS confirm the validity of the methodology for planning purposes and the viability of RPAS integration without a significant impact on safety but with several restrictions to the RPAS airway distribution.

Language: en

Keywords

Air transport; Airspace planning; Conflict-risk assessment; Non-segregated airspace; RPAS