Time dependent estimates of delays and delay costs at major airports

Abstract

Two queuing models appropriate for estimating time dependent delays and delay costs at major airports are reviewed. The models use the demand and capacity profiles at any given airport as well as the number of runways there to compute bounds on queuing statistics. The bounds are obtained through the iterative solution of systems of equations describing the two models. This computational procedure is highly efficient and inexpensive. The assumptions and limitations of the models are discussed. Common characteristics and properties of delay profiles at major airport are illustrated through a detailed example. Potential applications to the exploration of the effect of air traffic control innovations on congestion and to the estimation of marginal delay costs are also described.