New Path Planning Algorithm Boosts Air Traffic Control Efficiency.

Despite advancements in path-planning algorithms for Air Traffic Management, their adoption in tactical control remains limited due to a mismatch between algorithmic design and air traffic controllers' needs. Controllers require decision-support solutions that are interpretable, computationally efficient, and explicitly designed for human interaction. This research addresses these challenges by developing a conflict-free path-planning algorithm specifically for en-route Air Traffic Control (ATC). The algorithm is built around two core principles: providing interpretability and flexibility through solution-space displays that expose all feasible safe actions, and aligning with controllers' natural decision logic for operational constraints. It integrates three intent-based conflict detection methods (distance, time-interval, and zone-based) within a solution-space framework. Empirical results, using real-world scenarios from the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre, show that a variant called SSPPV, paired with zone-based conflict detection, achieves superior performance, computing paths in milliseconds.