In accordance with the Pilot Common Project (PCP) Implementing Regulation (IR) EU 716/2014 and the Deployment Programme 2016, traffic complexity tools are required and mandated for deployment in the core of European airspace. The traffic complexity tools continuously monitor sector demand and evaluate traffic complexity (by applying predefined complexity metrics) according to a predetermined qualitative scale. In particular, this project will implement a Traffic Complexity tool and procedures.

The Automated Support Tool for Traffic Complexity Assessment is a Traffic Complexity tool for automated and dynamic traffic forecasting and sectorisation planning, enabling efficient planning of both capacity and staffing at DFS control centres. The Automated Support Tool for Traffic Complexity Assessment will support Flow Management Positions (FMP) and Supervisors in the execution of tactical tasks (e.g. 3h prior to execution). Based on the information from various sources (i.e. radar data, Network Manager data including Enhanced Flight Data information, weather data, Aeronautical Information Management data and Airport Collaborative Decision Making data when available), the system will be able to automatically and periodically run fast-time simulations from which an optimised sectorisation planning is proposed to FMPs and Supervisors for efficient planning of ATSU resources. This will be based on capacity parameters such as controllers' workload and sector occupancy.

The Automated Support Tool for Traffic Complexity Assessment will be deployed in the DFS control centres in Langen, Bremen, Munich and Karlsruhe. In order to undertake a full deployment of this Local Traffic Complexity tool, an initial operational evaluation will be performed in Munich using Release 2 of the tool (the development of the tool up to Release 2 has been already performed, thus not in scope of the project, but only the operational trial itself).

Upon successfully achieving the initial operational acceptance, the Automated Support Tool for Traffic Complexity Assessment will be deployed chronologically in Munich, Bremen, Langen, and Karlsruhe. These activities include the creation of the required working procedures and according documentation, as well as the necessary training of FMPs and Supervisors on the use of the tool. In parallel to the deployment of the tool on all DFS control centres, the Automated Support Tool for Traffic Complexity Assessment will evolve, enhancing current functionalities and adding features (e.g. Capacity Analyser functions). These activities comprehend the collection of requirements, the necessary procurement for the development of the tool, the required testing prior to integration in operational environments, as well as hardware acquisition when needed.