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CAST is a high-performance 3D fast time simulation system for all airport processes:
- Passenger movements in the terminal
(curb side, check in, bag drop, security, passport, retail, waiting gate, arrival gates, baggage reclaim, customs and all other relevant services)
- Aircraft traffic at and around the airport
(approach, runway, taxi, turn-around, taxi out, departure including dynamic stand allocation)
- Vehicle and ground handling traffic
(curb side, parking, busses, cargo and baggage transport, fuelling, cleaning and all other relevant services)
Based on user driven requirements the goal is to provide a state-of-the-art simulation offering the highest level of detail and accuracy that is currently available. CAST is set up to reflect a realistic image of the observed airport system and offers the possibility to simulate most thinkable traffic or logistic processes at and within an airport and beyond. Based on a modular simulation platform several applications are available to simulate different parts of an airport. All these applications can be utilised as stand-alone. But the advantage of the modular system is the possibility to combine two or more applications into one integrated simulation within one environment. Also, within one application it is possible to customise and configure a tailor-made simulation solution to fit the special needs of every single task. Starting up with a basic simulation system, CAST can be extended and adapted.
CAST is based on multi agent technology. Every agent represents an actor (e.g. passenger, a vehicle or aircraft) and is able to react to the given situation according its individual characteristics. In general all agents are able to make their way and perform all required processes independently. While moving; the agents interact with other objects to ensure ‘collision avoidance’ and 'conflict resolution' considering priority rules and restrictions. Furthermore, they are able to interact with objects providing optional or obligatory services and processes. Every single agent has individual properties that determine his behaviour, i.e. in similar situations the behaviour observed can differ. The properties that determine such effects may be the goals, the intention, and the capabilities of an agent. The multi agent technology has been applied to all simulation tasks, such as the movement of passenger, baggage, aircraft, ground handling vehicles, or cargo.
In addition to the 3D simulation environment, comprehensive modules for realistic traffic generation, allocation, communication, and analysis have been integrated into CAST:
- Pax-Load-Generator
(schedule based generation of passenger load)
- Aircraft Load / Traffic Generator
(schedule based generation of aircraft load and ground handling traffic)
- Terminal / Pedestrian Simulation
(including check-in and gate allocation)
- Vehicle Traffic / Ground Handling Simulation
(including vehicle dispositon system)
- Aircraft Traffic Simulation
(including dynamic gate allocation)
- Virtual ATC
(visual investigation for optimal ATC facilities)
- Log-Analyser
(automated evaluation of simulation data)
- Airport visualisation / Virtual Airport
(3D visualisation of static and dynamic airport data)
Every CAST simulation component can be used stand alone or in combination. CAST is optimised to run on personal computers and no expensive simulation equipment is needed. All CAST software solutions are also provided for consulting services.
The CAST fast-time simulation tools is maintained and exploited by the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC) [EEC Fast Time Simulation Tools] |
