Pre-processing and Analysis of Recorded Airport Data for more Realistic Simulations

In the air traffic control domain simulations are a well-known method for concept validations. Each simulation shall be as realistic as needed. Traditionally, expert knowledge is used to shape the simulation environment to meet the requirements for validation. Since air traffic data becomes more and more available, the question arose, how this air traffic data can be processed, if it is of the needed precision and if it can be used to shape simulations. The paper describes the simulation environment targeted and the methods applied to process and filter data, recorded at the Airport Research and Innovation Facility Hamburg. Some exemplary results are presented and discussed, showing that the presented methodology can be used to improve realism of simulation environments.