The Airfield Delay Simulation Model (ADSIM), simulates the movement of aircraft on the airport surface and in the movement of aircraft on the airport surface and in the immediate airspace, composed of the common approach and departure corridors. It is a critical event stochastic model that employs Monte Carlo sampling techniques.

ADSIM produces estimates of delays and hourly flow rates, and models the movements of aircraft throughout the airport system. It uses a demand profile that contains meticulous definitions of the characteristics of the airfield surface, ATC procedures, and aircraft serving the airport.

Principal inputs to the model include aircraft routings developed from a link node diagram of the airport, runway and taxiway usage, runway occupancy times and exit probabilities, aircraft approach and taxiing velocities, aircraft separations, gate service times, aircraft demand and mix, and ATC rules and procedures.

The outputs from the model consist of both a printing of the model inputs and the results of the model's execution. Principal outputs of the model are hourly arrival and departure flow rates, travel time, and arrival and departure delays for each runway. Also provided are total delays for each link on the airfield, departure queue lengths, and individual aircrafts delays.

ADSIM also has an animation feature that displays the movement of aircraft on the airfield. This feature was recently developed by the Aviation Capacity Group.

Click on the thumbnail below to see a screen snapshot of ADSIM's animation.

ADSIM is one of the most detailed models available for evaluating the operations and sources of delay on the airport's surface. In addition to estimating delays, ADSIM can also pinpoint their source. These advantages, however, must be balanced against the large investments in time and money required to set up and run the model.