AN INTERFACE CONCEPT TO SUPPORT THE COCKPIT CREW DURING TRAJECTORY-BASED DISPATCH TOWING

摘要

complex and busy taxiway systems cause asignificant amount of inefficient fuel burn aswell as exhaust gas and noise emissions whileadditionally often producing delays. Ongoingresearch activities investigate new technologiesfor moving airplanes fuel-efficiently withoutusing the main engines. Moreover, theimplementation of trajectory-based taxioperations for reduced taxi times is analyzed.The aim of this paper is to introduce aconcept that combines these two aspects bysuggesting trajectory-based automated dispatchtowing operations using a robotic tractor for theairport in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Thepaper presents an approach to innovativedispatch towing procedures, which consists of arequirement analysis backed by observations,expert interviews, and a user forum withrepresentative stakeholders. The resultingconcept serves as a basis for the development ofa human-machine interface (HMI) supportingthe cockpit crew during the newly definedtrajectory-based taxi operations. Structuredpilot interviews lead to a conceptual HMIdesign for further investigation.