People
Ing. Jiří Volt

Ing. Petr Had; doc. Ing. Luboš Socha, Ph.D. et Ph.D.; Ing. Slobodan Stojić, Ph.D.

There is a strong emphasis on an airport processes optimization, mainly due to the increasing demand for the air transport. Airports are considered complex systems with numerous interconnected and interdependent processes. Key initiatives for improving predictability and coordination include CDM (Collaborative Decision Making) and the new APOC (Airport Operations Centre), which are currently being implemented at the major airports. However, a significant shortcoming of the CDM and APOC remains the relative neglect of processes related to passengers' arrival at the airport and their check-in at the terminal. One of the main challenges that airports face is the limited ability to test changes and new procedures in real environment due to continuous operations and regulatory requirements. Implementing changes is time-consuming and very expensive. Poor implementation can negatively impact airport operations and the performance of the entire passenger check-in process. Therefore, it is essential to use simulation tools that allow testing of changes and new concepts outside the actual terminal operations. Existing commercial simulation tools are relatively closed and expensive, which creates an opportunity to develop an accessible and open tool for simulation of the passenger check-in processes that is flexible and enables easy addition of new functionalities. The aim of the project is to create a digital model of an airport terminal that simulates operations within the terminal building and the nearby public areas, with the main focus on passenger check-in processes before departure and after arrival. To achieve this objective, a simulation tool will be developed using AnyLogic software, incorporating a model of Terminal 2 at Václav Havel Airport Prague. Multi-agent modelling will be utilized for the creation of the simulation tool. This tool will enable the simulation of the entire passenger check-in process, for both arrivals and departures.

2025 - 2025

Studentská grantová soutěž ČVUT - SGS25/073/OHK2/1T/16

doc. Ing. Daniel Hanus, CSc.; Ing. Slobodan Stojić, Ph.D.; Ing. Jiří Volt

The recent boom in air traffic has brought new challenges in optimising and managing airport processes. Queues at key airport processors such as check-in counters and security checkpoints are becoming increasingly common. This project focuses on the development of an innovative solution for optimising airport processes and managing passenger flow to minimise queuing at key airport processors. The main objective is to develop a computational algorithm for managed passenger arrivals at the airport that will lead to load spreading and more efficient use of available airport resources. The project is expected to use Operations Research, Simulation and Queuing Theory. The next step of the project is to investigate the percentage of passengers for whom an adjustment in arrival time is required to make the proposed solution effective while ensuring that all passengers meet their departure time. The results of the project should lead to an improvement in the efficiency of the overall passenger check-in process at the airport and a reduction in delays. Furthermore, they should contribute to improving the overall traveller experience.

2024 - 2025

Studentská grantová soutěž ČVUT - SGS24/107/OHK2/2T/16

Ing. Petr Had; doc. Ing. Ivan Nagy, CSc.; Ing. Pavel Smíšovský; doc. Ing. Luboš Socha, Ph.D. et Ph.D.; Ing. Slobodan Stojić, Ph.D.

Aircraft ground handling is a complex process involving a large number of entities whose synergy ensures safe and smooth operations. It is a process that is highly sensitive to operational changes that may occur. These changes can cause delays during the ground handling process. The generated delays are then transmitted to the entire network, which is now at the limits of its capacity and needs to be optimised. In order to optimise airspace flows, Network Manager Operations Centre (NMOC) has been created and Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) procedures have been developed. The CDM concept is based on the establishment of a system of information sharing between all stakeholders involved in the operation and functioning of air transport. One of the most important elements defined by the CDM concept, which is also used by NMOC to optimise flows, is the TOBT (Target of block time). This is the time of the end of ground handling. In the first phase, this time is automatically generated based on the scheduled departure of the aircraft and is manually updated by the handling ramp agent during the ground handling process. However, there are no strict procedures for setting the TOBT. Therefore, especially when unexpected operational changes occur, an inaccurate TOBT time can be set. In order to achieve the project objective, a prediction model based on machine learning algorithms will be developed. This model will be able to quantify the influence of factors and their combinations on the TOBT time and then subsequently predict this time. Subsequently, the accuracy of these predictions at various times during the turnaround of the aircraft be verified by comparing the calculated predictions with the actual TOBT time.

2023 - 2024

Studentská grantová soutěž ČVUT - SGS23/142/OHK2/2T/16