Evaluation of the effects of roundabout method on sector capacity and route structure

It is important to reduce the number of conflict points by designing the routes in appropriate configurations to provide efficient traffic flow in the airspace that constitutes a significant part of the air traffic system. Thus, congestion and delays can be minimized and the airspace capacity can be increased. In this study, the routes constructed by roundabout method are evaluated using fast-time and real-time simulations considering different intersection angles. It is also aimed to provide safe separation between aircraft maintaining the same flight levels at the intersection points. The minimum intersection angle between routes is determined depending on the average delay time of the aircraft, and the effects of the routes with different network structures on sector capacity and delay time are examined through fast time simulations. Two scenarios selected according to fast time simulation results are also evaluated with real-time simulations in terms of the parameters such as the number of conflicts, the number of instructions given by the controllers, and the number of interfered aircraft. As a result, both fast-time and real-time simulations have shown that combining three routes at the same level at a single point reduces airspace efficiency. Consequently, the intersection of routes in pairs rather than combining them at a single point is important to achieve a higher sector capacity and a more manageable airspace.