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Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation (DRVSM) Analysis
Overview
The FAA implemented the Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (DRVSM) standard on January 20th, 2005. With the additional flight levels available through DRVSM, aircraft were expected to be able to fly closer to their optimum cruise altitude where they burn less fuel, resulting in a savings to the airlines. In addition, the FAA expected improvements in the efficiency of the NAS and wanted an overall picture of the impact of DRVSM, including horizontal reroutes, flight time at or above requested altitude, sector statistics, level flight statistics, non-DRVSM equipped aircraft operations and DRVSM utilization statistics.
Solution
ATAC was contracted through the ATO-P to provide technical and analytical support services in the application and analysis of PDARS data to assist the FAA in determining the operational performance impacts of the implementation of the Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (DRVSM) standard. Analysis utilized a period of eight weeks of processed radar data (four weeks before and after DRVSM implementation). Radar data from the 20 domestic ARTCCs was merged into one large data set for NAS-wide analysis. Work was performed with input from the DRVSM Workgroup, a CDM subgroup tasked to measure the benefits of DRVSM.
The findings of this study suggest that although 3% more aircraft were being horizontally rerouted at or above FL190 in the post-DRVSM period when compared to the pre-DRVSM period, more aircraft were flying to their destination with fewer horizontal reroutes with an average filed flight distance savings of 11%. Additionally, during the post-DRVSM period, 4% more flights were able to operate at or above their originally filed requested altitudes than under the pre-DRVSM period, resulting in an average of 2-1/2 minute or 1% increase in flight duration at these altitudes.
The findings also suggest that within the DRVSM airspace of FL290 and FL410, inclusively, aircraft operating under level flight conditions were being redistributed over the increased altitude range in the post-DRVSM period with the highest utilization of FL370 followed by FL 360 and FL350. PDARS also measured a 400ft increase in average cruise altitude for flights in DRVSM airspace. With an estimated 22,000 flights using DRVSM airspace each day, the DRVSM Program Office has estimated an annual savings of $350M+ for the airlines.
Client: ATO-P, Federal Aviation Administration
Prime Contractor: ATAC Corporation
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