An airport ground service vehicle scheduling system and method based on multi-agent simulation

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of airport ground service vehicle management and control, and discloses a multi-agent simulation airport ground service vehicle scheduling system and method. In view of the fact that efficient airport ground service is a key factor for improving flight turnover rate, the ground service demand in the whole process from airplane landing to taking off is comprehensively considered, and the scheduling and control of the ground service vehicle are realized based on multi-agent simulation. The method comprises the following steps: agent and interaction rule design, basic information input, airport ground service vehicle scheduling and control model construction, and result visualization output. Compared with the prior art, the application can realistically depict the service characteristics of the airport ground service vehicle, the system can realize comparison of the effects of various ground service vehicle scheduling and control strategies, and provides a scientific basis for airport ground service vehicle scheduling optimization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of airport ground support vehicle management technology, and in particular to an airport ground support vehicle scheduling system and method based on multi-agent simulation. Background Technology

[0002] With the continued growth in air travel demand, airports are becoming increasingly busy, leading to more frequent flight delays and significant economic losses. Airport ground handling services are a crucial part of flight turnaround, and their efficient operation plays a vital role in improving flight turnaround rates. Aircraft require a range of ground support services within the flight area, including passenger services, baggage services, cleaning services, and refueling services, depending on the aircraft type and actual flight conditions. Due to safety and airport policies, various ground support services have strict procedural requirements. For example, water supply and wastewater services require separate water and wastewater trucks, and the two cannot be performed simultaneously; the final step in ground handling often involves a towing vehicle pushing the aircraft out.

[0003] A comprehensive understanding of ground handling vehicle scheduling within the flight area and the simulation of various operational control strategies are crucial for improving the efficiency of ground handling services. Currently, most commercial airport traffic simulation software (such as AirTOP, SIMMOD, TAMM, etc.) focuses on the full-process simulation of airspace and airport traffic, with ground handling service simulation being only one sub-module. These rule-driven ground handling service simulations often fail to realistically reproduce the numerous constraints considered in actual ground handling scheduling.

[0004] Therefore, this invention provides a multi-agent simulation airport ground vehicle dispatching system and method to realistically depict the characteristics and protocols of ground support services, realize the interaction between vehicles and aircraft, and between different vehicles, issue dispatching instructions for ground vehicles and personnel in real time according to aircraft support needs, and compare the effects of various ground vehicle dispatching and control strategies, providing a scientific basis for optimizing airport ground vehicle dispatching. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a multi-agent simulation airport ground vehicle scheduling system and method, which aims to schedule ground vehicles and personnel according to the aircraft ground support needs, and output time node data of all support services for each flight and airfield operation information.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: The multi-agent simulation airport ground vehicle dispatching system and method provided by this invention includes the following steps: S1. Design of intelligent agents and their interaction rules: S1.1 Design three types of intelligent agents; S1.2 Determine the behavioral rules for each type of intelligent agent and the interaction rules between different intelligent agents; S2. Basic Information Input: S2.1 Input basic flight information and ground support requirements; S2.2, Input basic information about ground support vehicles; S2.3, Enter the basic information of the ground staff; S2.4 Input the geographic layer information of the flight area; S3. Airport ground support vehicle scheduling and control model construction: S3.1 Generate ground support vehicle dispatch rules; S3.2, Generate ground staff scheduling rules; S3.3 Real-time dispatch of ground support vehicles and personnel based on flight ground support needs; S4. Visualization of Results: S4.1 Output the time node data of all support services for each flight; S4.2 Visualized flight area surface operation information.

[0007] Preferably, in step S1, S1.1 specifically involves designing three types of intelligent agents, including aircraft, ground support vehicles, and ground support personnel. S1.2 specifically involves determining the behavioral rules for each type of intelligent agent and the interaction rules between different intelligent agents: For aircraft, after arriving at the port, they glide to the parking position under the guidance of a guide vehicle, generating a series of ground support needs including baggage service, passenger service, refueling service, and cleaning service; after completing all ground support services, they depart at the scheduled departure time; for ground support vehicles, after receiving a ground support task, ground staff drive them to the designated parking position to carry out the ground support task, and after completing the task, they are parked in the designated location; for ground staff, after receiving a ground support task, they drive the designated ground support vehicle to the designated parking position, and after completing the ground support task, if they receive the next support task, they go directly to the next parking position, otherwise they return to the lounge.

[0008] Preferably, in step S2, Specifically, S2.1 involves inputting basic flight information and its ground support requirements, including flight number, arrival time, departure time, parking position, aircraft type, and required ground support. Specifically, S2.2 involves inputting basic information about the ground support vehicle, including vehicle type (the type of ground support it provides, such as water truck, refueling truck, baggage truck, etc.), license plate number, and vehicle status (idle or in operation). S2.3 specifically involves inputting basic information about ground staff, including staff number, work qualifications, and staff status (idle or working). Specifically, S2.4 involves inputting the geographical layer information of the flight area, including the apron, runway, taxiway, service roads for ground support vehicles, and parking positions.

[0009] Preferably, in step S3, the time for each ground support task is estimated based on the aircraft arrival time, and the corresponding vehicles and personnel are dispatched in advance. Specifically, S3.1 means that for each ground support task, priority is given to dispatching the vehicle that is idle and closest to the parking position of the support task among the ground support vehicles of that type; if all ground support vehicles of that type are in operation at this time, then dispatch the vehicle that will be the first to complete the support task in the apron where the parking position is located. Specifically, S3.2 involves prioritizing the dispatch of personnel with the relevant qualifications and who have been idle for the longest time at the apron where the parking space for the support task is located; if all personnel with the relevant qualifications at the apron are currently working, then dispatching the personnel at the apron where the parking space is located who completed the support task earliest. Specifically, S3.3 involves real-time dispatching of various ground support vehicles and personnel based on flight ground support needs and in accordance with the dispatching rules of S3.1 and S3.2; ground support personnel with the relevant qualifications driving the corresponding ground support vehicles to the parking positions to carry out ground support tasks for the aircraft.

[0010] Preferably, in step S4, S4.1 specifically involves the system statistically analyzing each time point in the entire ground support process for each aircraft, including wheel chock placement time, cabin cleaning time, baggage service time, refueling service time, etc., and the formula for calculating the completion time of ground support tasks is:

[0011] in, For aircraft The The end time of each ground support mission; For aircraft The The start time of each ground support mission; For aircraft The Working hours for each ground support task; Specifically, S4.2 involves the system compiling statistics on the number of flights arriving and departing from the airport that day; the number of flights scheduled to arrive and depart that day; and the current aircraft information at the parking positions, including information on the support vehicles corresponding to each support task for the aircraft; the number of aircraft supported by ground support per hour; the total number of various ground support vehicles; the number of vehicles currently in operation; and the duration of operation.

[0012] Compared with related technologies, the multi-agent simulation airport ground vehicle scheduling system and method provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects: The multi-agent simulation airport ground vehicle dispatching system and method provided by this invention realistically reproduces the characteristics of ground support services by designing multiple types of intelligent agents and their interaction rules. It can simulate the interaction process between ground vehicles and aircraft, and between different vehicles. The system can issue dispatching instructions for ground vehicles and personnel in real time according to the support needs of aircraft. At the same time, this invention can compare and analyze the effects of various ground vehicle dispatching and control strategies, providing a scientific decision-making basis for optimizing airport ground vehicle dispatching. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating an airport ground vehicle scheduling system and method based on multi-agent simulation provided by the present invention. Figure 2 This is a two-dimensional display of the geographical layer information of the flight area in a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional display of the geographical layer information of the flight area according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the output of ground support service time nodes for each flight in a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the flight area surface operation information according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0015] like Figure 1 As shown, an airport ground vehicle scheduling system and method based on multi-agent simulation includes the following steps: S1. Design of Intelligent Agents and Their Interaction Rules: Three types of intelligent agents are constructed in the simulation model using the multi-agent simulation software AnyLogic: aircraft, ground vehicles, and ground staff. Behavioral rules and interaction rules between different intelligent agents are set in the state settings of each type of agent. For aircraft, after arrival, guided by a guide vehicle, it taxis to its parking position, generating a series of ground support requests including baggage service, passenger service, refueling service, and cleaning service. After completing all ground support services, it departs at the scheduled departure time. For ground vehicles, after receiving a ground support task, ground staff drive them to the designated parking position to carry out the task, and after completing the task, they are parked in the designated location. For ground staff, after receiving a ground support task, they drive the assigned ground vehicle to the designated parking position. After completing the task, if they receive another support task, they go directly to the next parking position; otherwise, they return to the lounge.

[0016] S2. Basic Data Input: This includes four types of data: basic flight information and ground support requirements, basic information of ground vehicles, basic information of ground staff, and flight area geographic layer information. The basic flight information and ground support requirements include flight number, arrival time, departure time, parking position, aircraft type, and required ground support. The basic ground vehicle information includes vehicle type (the type of ground support it provides, such as water truck, refueling truck, baggage truck, etc.), license plate number, and vehicle status (idle, in operation). The basic ground staff information includes staff number, work qualifications, and staff status (idle, in operation). The flight area geographic layer information includes apron, runway, taxiway, service roads for ground vehicles, and parking position locations. S3. Airport Ground Support Vehicle Dispatch and Control Model Construction: This involves establishing dispatch rules for ground support vehicles and personnel. Based on flight ground support needs, the system dispatches various ground support vehicles and personnel in real time according to the established rules. Ground support personnel with the required qualifications drive the appropriate ground support vehicles to the aircraft parking positions to carry out ground support tasks.

[0017] S4. Visualized Output of Results: This system provides statistical analysis of all time points in the ground support process for each aircraft, including wheel chock placement time, cabin cleaning time, baggage service time, and refueling service time. In addition, the system provides statistics on airfield operations, including the number of arriving and departing flights at the airport that day; the number of scheduled arriving and departing flights that day; aircraft information currently at parking positions, including information on support vehicles for each aircraft's support tasks; the number of aircraft supported by ground support per hour; the total number of various ground support vehicles; the number of vehicles currently in operation; and the duration of operation.

[0018] In step S1, the design of the intelligent agent and its interaction rules is carried out in the following specific process: S1.1: Configure the aircraft agent in AnyLogic. Its state transition process includes: waiting for arrival, taxiing to the parking position, placing wheel chocks upon arrival at the parking position, starting the support process, ending the support process, and departing. The support process will be carried out according to actual needs.

[0019] S1.2: Set up a ground support vehicle agent in AnyLogic. Its state transition process includes: idle, receiving dispatch instructions, proceeding to parking position, starting work, ending work, and idle.

[0020] S1.3: In AnyLogic, set up a ground support worker agent whose state transition process includes: idle, receiving dispatch instructions, proceeding to the location of the ground support vehicle, proceeding to the parking position, starting work, ending work, and idle. After completing a ground support task, if the ground support worker receives another support task, they will proceed directly to the next parking position; otherwise, they will return to the break room.

[0021] In step S2, basic data is input, and the specific process is as follows: S2.1: Retrieve basic information on historical flights and their ground handling support requirements at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. An example is shown in Table 1 below: Table 1. Examples of basic flight information and ground support requirements

[0022]

[0023] S2.2: Read the basic information of ground service vehicles at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. An example is shown in Table 2 below: Table 2 Example of Ground Support Vehicle Information

[0024] S2.3: Read the basic information of ground support vehicles at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. An example is shown in Table 3 below: Table 3 Example of ground staff information

[0025] S2.4: Read the geographic layer information of the flight area of ​​Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and draw the apron, runway, taxiway, service roads for ground handling vehicles, and parking positions in AnyLogic. Draw the start and end points of roads, the number of lanes in both directions, and the connections between roads. (Appendix) Figure 2 , 3 The images show two-dimensional and three-dimensional displays of the flight area geographic layer information in the examples of this invention.

[0026] In step S3, the airport ground vehicle scheduling and control model is constructed, and the specific process is as follows: S3.1: Set ground support vehicle scheduling rules in AnyLogic. For each ground support task, prioritize scheduling the idle vehicle of that type that is closest to the parking position for the task. If all ground support vehicles of that type are currently in operation, then schedule the vehicle on the apron at that parking position that is about to complete its support task earliest.

[0027] S3.2: Set ground crew scheduling rules in AnyLogic. For each ground support task, prioritize scheduling personnel with the relevant qualifications who have been idle for the longest time at the apron where the parking position for that task is located. If all personnel with the relevant qualifications on the apron are currently working, then schedule the personnel who completed their support task earliest at the apron where the parking position is located.

[0028] S3.3: The simulation system reads basic flight information and, based on the above rules, issues dispatch instructions for ground staff and ground vehicles according to ground support needs. The status of the ground staff and ground vehicle agents is updated in real time as the support mission progresses.

[0029] In step S4, the results are visualized and output. The specific process is as follows: S4.1: For each aircraft, record the completion time of each ground support task. Compile statistics on all time points in the entire ground support process for each aircraft, including wheel chock placement time, cabin cleaning time, baggage service time, refueling service time, etc. (Appendix) Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the output of flight ground support service time nodes in the example of this invention. The formula for calculating the completion time of ground support tasks is:

[0030] in, For aircraft The The end time of each ground support mission; For aircraft The The start time of each ground support mission; For aircraft The Working hours for each ground support task.

[0031] S4.2: This system provides statistics on the number of arriving and departing flights at the airport that day; the number of planned arriving and departing flights for the day; aircraft information currently at parking positions, including information on support vehicles for each aircraft's support tasks; the number of aircraft supported by ground services per hour; the total number of various ground support vehicles, the number of vehicles currently in operation, and their operating hours. (Appendix) Figure 5 The diagram shows a flight area surface operation information diagram of the example in this invention.

[0032] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of the present invention without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-agent simulation-based airport ground vehicle dispatching system and method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Design of intelligent agents and their interaction rules: S1.1 Design three types of intelligent agents, including aircraft, ground vehicles, and ground staff; S1.2 Determine the behavioral rules for each type of intelligent agent and the interaction rules between different intelligent agents: For aircraft, after arriving at the port, they glide to the parking position under the guidance of the guide vehicle, generating a series of ground support needs including baggage service, passenger service, refueling service, and cleaning service; after completing all ground support services, they depart at the scheduled departure time; for ground support vehicles, after receiving a ground support task, they are driven by ground staff to the designated parking position to carry out the ground support task, and are parked in the designated location after completing the task; for ground staff, after receiving a ground support task, they drive the designated ground support vehicle to the designated parking position, and after completing the ground support task, if they receive the next support task, they go directly to the next parking position, otherwise they return to the lounge; The specific process for designing intelligent agents and their interaction rules is as follows: In AnyLogic, the aircraft agent is set up, and its state transition process includes: waiting to arrive, taxiing to the parking position, arriving at the parking position and placing wheel chocks, starting the support process, ending the support process, and departing; the support process will be carried out according to actual needs. In AnyLogic, the state transition process of a ground support vehicle agent includes: idle, receiving a dispatch instruction, proceeding to the parking position, starting work, ending work, and idle. In AnyLogic, set up a ground support worker agent whose state transition process includes: idle, receiving dispatch instructions, going to the location of ground support vehicles, going to the parking position, starting work, ending work, and idle; after completing a ground support task, if the ground support worker receives the next support task, it will go directly to the next parking position; otherwise, it will return to the rest room. S2. Basic Information Input: S2.

1. Enter basic flight information and ground handling support requirements, including flight number, arrival time, departure time, parking position, aircraft type, and required ground handling support. S2.2 Input the basic information of the ground support vehicle, including vehicle type, license plate number, and vehicle status. The vehicle type includes water truck, fuel truck, and baggage truck, and the vehicle status includes idle and working. S2.

3. Input the basic information of the ground staff, including staff number, work qualifications, and staff status, including whether the staff status is available or working. S2.4 Input the flight area geographic layer information, including the apron, runway, taxiway, service roads for ground support vehicles, and parking positions; S3. Airport ground support vehicle scheduling and control model construction: S3.1 Generate ground support vehicle dispatching rules: For each ground support task, prioritize dispatching the ground support vehicle of that type that is idle and closest to the parking position for the support task; If all ground support vehicles of this type are in operation at this time, dispatch the vehicle that will be the first to complete its support task on the apron where the parking position is located; S3.2, Generating ground crew dispatch rules: For each ground crew support task, priority will be given to dispatching the personnel with the qualifications for the task and who have been idle for the longest time on the apron where the parking position is located; if all personnel with the qualifications on the apron are working at this time, then dispatch the personnel on the apron where the parking position is located who have completed the support task earliest. S3.3 Real-time dispatch of ground vehicles and personnel based on flight ground support needs: Based on flight ground support needs, various types of ground vehicles and personnel are dispatched in real time according to the dispatch rules of S3.1 and S3.2; ground personnel with the relevant qualifications drive the corresponding ground vehicles to the parking positions to carry out ground support tasks for the aircraft. S4. Visualization of Results: S4.1 Output time node data for all support services for each flight: This system statistically analyzes all time nodes of the ground support process for each aircraft, including wheel chock time, cabin cleaning time, baggage service time, and refueling service time. The formula for calculating the completion time of ground support tasks is as follows: ， in, For aircraft The The end time of each ground support mission; For aircraft The The start time of each ground support mission; For aircraft The Working hours for each ground support task; S4.2 Visualized Flight Area Surface Operation Information: This system provides statistics on the number of flights arriving and departing from the airport that day; the number of flights scheduled to arrive and depart that day; current aircraft information at parking positions, including information on support vehicles for each support task of the aircraft; the number of aircraft supported by ground support per hour; the total number of various ground support vehicles, the number of vehicles currently in operation, and the duration of operation.

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