MP 05W0000090

MITRE PRODUCT

NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace

Redesign

Linda M. Boan
Rodolfo Canales
Arlene M. Cooper
Heather L. Danner
Dr. Jonathan H. Hoffman
Jennifer L. Reese
Camille Shiotsuki

© 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Center for Advanced Aviation System Development

McLean, Virginia

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

M P 05W0 00 009 0
MITR E PRODUC T

NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace

Redesign

Linda M. Boan
Rodolfo Canales
Arlene M. Cooper
Heather L. Danner
Dr. Jonathan H. Hoffman
Jennifer L. Reese
Camille Shiotsuki

This document was prepared for authorized distribution

only. It has not been approved for public release.
2005 The MITRE Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Center for Advanced Aviation System Development

McLean, Virginia

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Abstract
In April 1998, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated the first major
redesign of the airspace supporting the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. For
each set of different operating assumptions, an alternative design was created by FAA
airspace designers from the affected facilities. Since the beginning of this critical effort, The
MITRE Corporation’s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) has
been part of the FAA’s team, using state-of-the art analysis to facilitate design decisions and
analyze the operational impacts of the proposed airspace alternatives. This report documents
the analysis approach, design details and operational impacts of the five airspace alternatives
for the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia (NY/NJ/PHL) Metropolitan Area Airspace
Redesign project. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex alternative is
recommended on the basis of the results derived from the series of simulations described in
this report. This alternative assumes integrated routes and airspace and a single facility that
combines the New York terminal and en route air traffic control functions, personnel, and
facilities.

KEYWORDS: Airspace, Airspace Redesign, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Sam Bowden, Lee Brown, Mary Kay Higgins, John
Kuchenbrod, John Lebron, Pat Massimini, Duane Small and Bill Swedish for their detailed
reviews of this document. Thanks also to Angela Signore for her editing and preparation of
the document for final publication.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Section Page
1 Background 1-1
1.1 NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign Process 1-2
2 Study Overview 2-1
2.1 Purpose 2-1
2.2 Airspace Designs Evaluated 2-2
2.2.1 Future No Action Alternative 2-2
2.2.2 Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative 2-3
2.2.3 Ocean Routing Alternative 2-3
2.2.4 Integrated Airspace Alternative 2-4
2.2.5 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative 2-4
2.3 Tools 2-4
2.4 Model Validation 2-5
3 Modeling Assumptions and Input Data 3-1
3.1 Simulation Domain 3-1
3.2 Weather 3-2
3.3 Geography 3-2
3.4 Aircraft Routes 3-3
3.5 Wake Turbulence Separations 3-4
3.6 Altitude Restrictions 3-4
3.7 Sector Configurations 3-4
3.8 Terminal Arrival and Departure Procedures 3-4
3.9 Airport and Runway Configuration 3-4
3.9.1 John F. Kennedy International Runway Usage 3-6
3.9.1.1 JFK Departure Runway Headings 3-6
3.9.1.2 Use of Runway 31L/R 3-8
3.9.1.3 Use of Runway 31L/R and 22L 3-8
3.9.2 LGA Runway Usage 3-8
3.9.2.1. LaGuardia Departure Runway Headings 3-9
3.9.3 Long Island MacArthur Runway Usage 3-10
3.9.4 Newark Liberty International and Satellites Runway Usage 3-10
3.9.4.1. Newark Liberty International Runway Usage 3-10
3.9.4.2. Teterboro Runway Usage 3-13
3.9.4.3. Morristown Municipal Runway Usage 3-14
3.9.5 Philadelphia International Airport Runway Usage 3-14

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 3.9.6 Westchester County Runway Usage 3-16
3.9.6.1. Westchester County Departure Runway Headings 3-17
3.10 Traffic Scenarios 3-17
3.10.1 Traffic Levels at LaGuardia (Forecast vs. Realistic) 3-18
3.10.2 Approach to MIT Application for the Modeling of LaGuardia Traffic 3-20
3.10.3 Newark Liberty International MIT 3-21
3.11 Airport Throughput Validation 3-22
3.11.1 CATER Data for Capacity-Constrained Airports 3-23
3.11.1.1. John F. Kennedy 3-23
3.11.1.2. LaGuardia 3-27
3.11.1.3 Newark Liberty International 3-32
3.11.2 Capacity-Constrained Airports Without CATER Data 3-36
3.11.2.1. Philadelphia International 3-36
3.11.3 Airports Not Constrained by Capacity 3-38
3.11.3.1 Long Island MacArthur 3-38
3.11.3.2 Newark Satellites (TEB and MMU) 3-40
3.11.3.3 Westchester County 3-43
4 Future No Action Alternative 4-1
4.1 Design Overview 4-1
4.2 Airspace 4-2
4.2.1 North Departures from NY Metro Airports 4-5
4.2.2 North Departures from PHL 4-5
4.2.3 West Departures from NY Metro Airports and PHL 4-5
4.2.4 South Departures from NY Metro Airports and PHL 4-6
4.2.5 East Departures from NY Metro Airports and PHL 4-7
4.2.6 Oceanic Departures from NY Metro Airports 4-8
4.3 Airports 4-8
4.3.1 John F. Kennedy International 4-8
4.3.1.1 John F. Kennedy En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-8
4.3.1.2 John F. Kennedy Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-11
4.3.2 LaGuardia 4-12
4.3.2.1 LaGuardia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-12
4.3.2.2 LaGuardia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-15
4.3.3 Long Island MacArthur 4-16
4.3.3.1 Long Island MacArthur En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-17
4.3.3.2 Long Island MacArthur En Route Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-19
4.3.4 Newark Liberty International 4-19
4.3.4.1 Newark En Route Arrivals/Departure Profiles 4-19

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 4.3.4.2 Newark Liberty International Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-23
4.3.5 Newark Liberty International Satellites (TEB and MMU) 4-23
4.3.5.1 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-24
4.3.5.1 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-26
4.3.6 Philadelphia International 4-28
4.3.6.1 Philadelphia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-28
4.3.6.2 Philadelphia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-32
4.3.7 Westchester County 4-33
4.3.7.1 Westchester County En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-33
4.3.7.2 Westchester County Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 4-37
5 Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative 5-1
5.1 Design Overview 5-1
5.2 Airspace 5-2
5.2.1 West Departures 5-3
5.2.2 PHL STOEN Departures to J48 5-4
5.2.3 PHL DITCH Departures to North 5-4
5.3 Airports 5-4
5.3.1 John F. Kennedy International 5-5
5.3.2 LaGuardia 5-5
5.3.3 Long Island MacArthur 5-5
5.3.4 Newark Liberty International 5-6
5.3.4.1 Newark Liberty International En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 5-6
5.3.4.2 Newark Liberty International Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 5-6
5.3.5 Newark Liberty International Satellites 5-8
5.3.6 Philadelphia International 5-8
5.3.6.1 Philadelphia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 5-8
5.3.6.2 Philadelphia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 5-9
5.3.7 Westchester County 5-10
6 Ocean Routing Alternative 6-1
6.1 Design Overview 6-1
6.2 Airspace 6-2
6.2.1 West Departures in Ocean Routing 6-3
6.2.2 South Departures in Ocean Routing 6-4
6.3 Airports 6-5
6.3.1 John F. Kennedy International 6-5
6.3.1.1 JFK En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 6-5
6.3.1.1 JFK Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 6-7
6.3.2 LaGuardia 6-8

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 6.3.2.1 LaGuardia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 6-8
6.3.2.2 LaGuardia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 6-9
6.3.3 Long Island MacArthur 6-11
6.3.4 Newark Liberty International 6-11
6.3.4.1 Newark Liberty International En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 6-11
6.3.4.1 Newark Liberty International Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 6-12
6.3.5 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal 6-13
6.3.6 Philadelphia International 6-13
6.3.7 Westchester County 6-13
7 Integrated Airspace Alternative 7-1
7.1 Design Overview 7-1
7.2 Airspace 7-2
7.2.1 West Departures 7-3
7.2.2 South Departures 7-4
7.3 Airports 7-5
7.3.1 John F. Kennedy International 7-5
7.3.2 LaGuardia 7-6
7.3.2.1 LaGuardia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-6
7.3.2.2 LaGuardia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-7
7.3.3 Long Island MacArthur 7-8
7.3.3.1 Long Island MacArthur En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-8
7.3.3.2 Long Island MacArthur Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-8
7.3.4 Newark Liberty International 7-9
7.3.4.1 Newark En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-9
7.3.4.2 Newark Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-10
7.3.5 Newark Liberty International Satellites (TEB and MMU) 7-12
7.3.5.1 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-12
7.3.5.2 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-13
7.3.6 Philadelphia International 7-14
7.3.7 Westchester County 7-15
7.3.7.1 Westchester County En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-15
7.3.7.2 Westchester County Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 7-17
8 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative 8-1
8.1 Design Overview 8-1
8.1.1 Routing 8-2
8.1.2 Coordination Among Controllers 8-4
8.1.3 Delay Absorption Techniques 8-4
8.1.4 Use of Departure Fixes 8-5

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 8.1.5 Benefits in Other Facilities 8-5
8.2 Airspace 8-6
8.2.1 North Departures from NY Metro Airports 8-9
8.2.2 North Departures from NY Metro Airports 8-9
8.2.3 West Departures from NY Metro Airports 8-9
8.2.4 West Departures from PHL 8-10
8.2.5 East Departures from NY Metro Airports 8-11
8.3 Airports 8-11
8.3.1 John F. Kennedy International 8-12
8.3.1.1 John F. Kennedy En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-12
8.3.1.2 John F. Kennedy Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-14
8.3.2 LaGuardia 8-15
8.3.2.1 LaGuardia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-15
8.3.2.2 LaGuardia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-19
8.3.3 Long Island MacArthur 8-20
8.3.3.1 Long Island MacArthur En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-20
8.3.3.2 Long Island MacArthur Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-21
8.3.4 Newark Liberty International 8-22
8.3.4.1 En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-22
8.3.4.2 Newark Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-25
8.3.5 Newark Liberty International Satellites (TEB and MMU) 8-26
8.3.5.1 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-26
8.3.5.2 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-28
8.3.6 Philadelphia International 8-30
8.3.6.1 Philadelphia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-33
8.3.6.2 Philadelphia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-33
8.3.7 Westchester County 8-34
8.3.7.1 Westchester County En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-34
8.3.7.2 Westchester County Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles 8-37
9 Operational Analysis Results 9-1
9.1 Mapping Simulation Output to Improvement Metrics 9-2
9.1.1 Reduce Complexity 9-2
9.1.2 Reduce Voice Communications 9-3
9.1.3 Reduce Delay 9-4
9.1.4 Balance Controller Workload 9-4
9.1.5 Meet System Demands and Improve User Access to System 9-5
9.1.6 Expedite Arrivals and Departures 9-5
9.1.7 Flexibility in Routing 9-5

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 9.1.8 Maintain Airport Throughput 9-6
9.2 Results by Metric 9-6
9.2.1 Airspace Delays 9-6
9.2.1.1 Departure Jet Route Delay 9-6
9.2.1.2 Departure Fix Delay 9-7
9.2.2 Time Below 18,000 feet 9-11
9.2.2.1 Time to Climb 9-11
9.2.2.2 Time to Descend 9-13
9.2.3 Distance Below 18,000 feet 9-15
9.2.3.1 Descent Distance 9-15
9.2.3.2 Climb Distance 9-16
9.2.4 Maximum Inter-facility Handoffs per Hour 9-18
9.2.5 Arrival and Departure Delays 9-20
9.2.5.1 John F. Kennedy International 9-20
9.2.5.2 LaGuardia 9-21
9.2.5.3 Long Island MacArthur 9-23
9.2.5.4 Newark Liberty International 9-23
9.2.5.5 Teterboro 9-25
9.2.5.6 Morristown Municipal 9-26
9.2.5.7 Philadelphia International 9-26
9.2.5.8 Westchester County 9-27
9.2.6 Equity of Fix Traffic Counts 9-28
9.2.6.1 West Gate 9-28
9.2.6.2 South Gate 9-29
9.2.6.3 North Gate 9-30
9.2.6.4 East Gate 9-31
9.2.7 End of Day’s Last Arrival Push 9-32
9.2.8 Ground Track Length and Block Time 9-34
9.2.9 Flexibility Qualitative Assessment 9-37
9.2.10 Total Maximum Sustainable Throughput 9-37
9.3 Summary 9-38
10 Conclusions and Recommendations 10-1
Appendix A. Calculation of Airspace Delay Metric A-1
Appendix B. Traffic Sensitivity Analysis B-1

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 List of Figures

Figure Page
1-1 Role of CAASD in the Study Consortium 1-2
3-1 Existing and Integrated Airspace 3-3
3-2 JFK Runway Usage 3-6
3-3 LGA Runway Usage 3-9
3-4 ISP Runway Usage 3-10
3-5 EWR Runway Usage 3-11
3-6 TEB Runway Usage 3-13
3-7 MMU Runway Usage 3-14
3-8 PHL Runway Usage 3-15
3-9 HPN Runway Usage 3-16
3-10 LGA 2006 Traffic Modifications 3-19
3-11 LGA 2011 Traffic Modifications 3-19
3-12 CATER vs. Simulated JFK Arrival Throughput, Low Configuration 3-24
3-13 CATER vs. Simulated JFK Departure Throughput, Low Configuration 3-24
3-14 CATER vs. Simulated JFK Arrival Throughput, High Configuration 3-25
3-15 CATER vs. Simulated JFK Departure Throughput, High Configuration 3-25
3-16 Future No Action 2006 Arrival JFK Throughput 3-26
3-17 Future No Action 2006 Departure JFK Throughput 3-26
3-18 Future No Action 2011 Arrival JFK Throughput 3-26
3-19 Future No Action 2006 Departure JFK Throughput 3-27
3-20 CATER vs. Simulated LGA Arrival Throughput, Low Configuration 3-27
3-21 CATER vs. Simulated LGA Departure Throughput, Low Configuration 3-28
3-22 CATER vs. Simulated LGA Arrival Throughput, High Configuration 3-28
3-23 CATER vs. Simulated LGA Departure Throughput, High Configuration 3-29
3-24 Future No Action 2006 Low Capacity Configuration Throughput 3-30
3-25 Future No Action 2006 High Capacity Configuration Throughput 3-30
3-26 Future No Action 2011 LGA Low Capacity Configuration Throughput 3-31
3-27 Future No Action 2011 LGA High Capacity Configuration Throughput 3-31
3-28 CATER vs. Simulated EWR 04R Arrival Throughput, Low Configuration 3-32
3-29 CATER vs. Simulated EWR 04L Departure Throughput, Low Configuration 3-32
3-30 CATER vs. Simulated EWR 22L Arrival Throughput, Low Configuration 3-33
3-31 CATER vs. Simulated EWR 22R Departure Throughput, Low Configuration 3-33
3-32 Future No Action 2006 Arrival EWR Throughput 3-34
3-33 Future No Action 2006 Departure EWR Throughput 3-34

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

3-34 Future No Action 2011 Arrival EWR Throughput 3-35
3-35 Future No Action 2011 Departure EWR Throughput 3-35
3-36 Future No Action 2006 Arrival PHL Throughput 3-36
3-37 Future No Action 2006 Departure PHL Throughput 3-37
3-38 Future No Action 2011 Arrival PHL Throughput 3-37
3-39 Future No Action 2011 Departure PHL Throughput 3-38
3-40 Future No Action 2006 Arrival ISP Throughput 3-39
3-41 Future No Action 2006 Departure ISP Throughput 3-39
3-42 Future No Action 2011 Arrival ISP Throughput 3-39
3-43 Future No Action 2011 Departure ISP Throughput 3-40
3-44 Future No Action 2006 Arrival TEB Throughput 3-40
3-45 Future No Action 2006 Departure TEB Throughput 3-41
3-46 Future No Action 2011 Arrival ISP Throughput 3-41
3-47 Future No Action 2011 Departure EWR Throughput 3-42
3-48 Future No Action 2006 Arrival MMU Throughput 3-42
3-49 Future No Action 2006 Departure MMU Throughput 3-43
3-50 Future No Action 2006 Arrival HPN Throughput 3-43
3-51 Future No Action 2006 Departure HPN Throughput 3-44
4-1 Future No Action Departure Routes 4-2
4-2 Future No Action West Departures 4-5
4-3 South Departures from NY Metro Airports and PHL 4-7
4-4 Future No Action JFK Arrivals 4-9
4-5 Origins of Traffic to Each JFK Arrival Fix 4-9
4-6 Future No Action JFK Arrivals Altitudes 4-10
4-7 Future No Action JFK Departures 4-11
4-8 Future No Action Low Capacity Configuration JFK Terminal Profile 4-11
4-9 Future No Action High Capacity Configuration JFK Terminal Profile 4-12
4-10 Future No Action LGA Arrivals 4-13
4-11 Origins of Traffic to Each LGA Arrival Fix 4-13
4-12 Future No Action LGA Arrival Altitudes 4-14
4-13 Future No Action LGA Departure Profile 4-15
4-14 Future No Action Low Capacity Configuration LGA Terminal Profile 4-16
4-15 Future No Action High Capacity Configuration LGA Terminal Profile 4-16
4-16 Future No Action ISP Arrivals 4-17
4-17 Origins of Traffic to Each ISP Arrival Fix 4-17
4-18 Future No Action ISP Arrival Altitudes 4-18
4-19 Future No Action ISP Departures 4-18
4-20 Future No Action ISP Terminal Profile 4-19

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4-21 Future No Action EWR Future Arrivals 4-20
4-22 Origins of Traffic to Each EWR Arrival Fix 4-21
4-23 Future No Action EWR Arrival Altitudes 4-22
4-24 Future No Action EWR Departure Routes 4-22
4-25 EWR Future No Action Low Capacity Terminal Profile 4-23
4-26 EWR Future No Action High Capacity Terminal Profile 4-23
4-27 Future No Action TEB/MMU Arrivals 4-24
4-28 Origins of Traffic to Each TEB/MMU Arrival Fix 4-25
4-29 Future No Action TEB/MMU Arrival Altitude 4-25
4-30 Future No Action TEB/MMU Departure Routes 4-26
4-31 Future No Action TEB Low Capacity Terminal Profile 4-27
4-32 Future No Action TEB High Capacity Terminal Profile 4-27
4-33 Future No Action MMU Terminal Profile 4-28
4-34 Origins of Traffic for Each PHL Arrival Fix 4-29
4-35 Future No Action PHL Arrivals 4-30
4-36 Future No Action PHL Arrival Altitudes 4-31
4-37 Future No Action PHL Arrival Departure Profile 4-32
4-38 Future No Action West Flow PHL Terminal Profile 4-33
4-39 Future No Action East Flow PHL Terminal Profile 4-33
4-40 HPN Future No Action Arrivals 4-34
4-41 Origins of Traffic to Each HPN Arrival Fix 4-35
4-42 HPN Arrival Altitude Restrictions 4-36
4-43 HPN Departure Profile 4-37
4-44 Future No Action HPN Terminal Profile 4-38
5-1 Modification to Existing Airspace Alternative Overview 5-1
5-2 Modifications to Existing Airspace Departures 5-3
5-3 Modifications to Existing Airspace West Departure Routes 5-4
5-4 Modifications High Capacity LGA Terminal Profile 5-5
5-5 Modifications to Existing Airspace EWR Departure Routes 5-6
5-6 EWR Modifications to Existing Airspace Low Capacity Terminal Profile 5-7
5-7 EWR Modifications to Existing Airspace High Capacity Terminal Profile 5-7
5-8 Modifications to Existing Airspace PHL Arrival/Departure Profile 5-9
5-9 Future No Action and Modifications to Existing Airspace PHL Terminal Profiles 5-9
6-1 Ocean Routing Alternative Overview 6-1
6-2 Ocean Routing Airspace 6-3
6-3 Ocean Routing West Departures 6-4
6-4 Ocean Routing South Departures 6-5
6-5 Ocean Routing JFK Arrival Profile 6-6

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 6-6 Ocean Routing JFK Departure Profile 6-7
6-7 Future No Action and Ocean Routing JFK Low Capacity Terminal Profiles 6-7
6-8 Future No Action and Ocean Routing JFK High Capacity Terminal Profiles 6-8
6-9 Ocean Routing LGA Arrival Profile 6-8
6-10 Ocean Routing LGA Departure Profile 6-9
6-11 Ocean Routing LGA Low Capacity Terminal Profile 6-10
6-12 Ocean Routing LGA High Capacity Terminal Profile 6-10
6-13 Ocean Routing EWR Departure Profile 6-12
6-14 Future No Action and Ocean Routing EWR Low Capacity Terminal Profiles 6-12
6-15 Future No Action and Ocean Routing EWR High Capacity Terminal Profiles 6-13
7-1 Integrated Airspace Alternative Overview 7-1
7-2 Integrated Airspace 7-3
7-3 Integrated Airspace West Departures 7-4
7-4 Integrated Airspace South Departures 7-5
7-5 Comparison of LGA West Gate Departures (Future No Action vs. Integrated Airspace) 7-6
7-6 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace Low Capacity LGA Terminal Profiles 7-7
7-7 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace High Capacity LGA Terminal Profiles 7-7
7-8 Integrated Airspace ISP Departure Profile 7-8
7-9 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace ISP Terminal Profiles 7-9
7-10 Integrated Airspace EWR Arrivals 7-9
7-11 Integrated Airspace EWR Departures 7-10
7-12 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace Low Capacity EWR Terminal Profiles 7-11
7-13 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace High Capacity EWR Terminal Profiles 7-11
7-14 Integrated Airspace TEB/MMU Arrivals 7-12
7-15 Integrated Airspace TEB/MMU Departures 7-13
7-16 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace TEB Low Capacity Terminal Profiles 7-13
7-17 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace TEB High Capacity Terminal Profiles 7-14
7-18 Integrated Airspace MMU Terminal Profile 7-14
7-19 Comparison of HPN South Arrivals (Integrated Airspace vs. Future No Action) 7-15
7-20 Origins of Traffic to Each HPN Arrival Fix 7-16
7-21 HPN Arrival Altitude Restrictions 7-15
7-22 Comparison of HPN West Gate Departures (Future No Action vs. Integrated Airspace) 7-17
7-23 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace Alternative HPN Terminal Profiles 7-18
8-1 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative 8-2
8-2 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Departure Routes 8-3
8-3 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex JFK Arrival Routes 8-3
8-4 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex JFK and EWR Arrival Routes 8-5
8-5 White and Wavey Departures 8-6

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 8-6 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Departure Routes 8-7
8-7 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex West Departures 8-10
8-8 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex South Departures 8-11
8-9 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex JFK Arrivals 8-12
8-10 Origins of Traffic to Each JFK Arrival Fix 8-13
8-11 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex JFK Arrivals 8-13
8-12 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex JFK Departures 8-14
8-13 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Low Capacity
Configuration JFK Terminal Profiles 8-14
8-14 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex High Capacity
Configuration JFK Terminal Profiles 8-15
8-15 Comparison of LGA Arrivals (Integrated Airspace with Integrated Complex vs. Future No Action
8-16
8-16 Origins of Traffic to Each LGA Arrival Fix 8-17
8-17 LGA Arrival Altitude Restrictions 8-17
8-18 LGA Departure Profile Comparison (Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex vs. Future
No Action) 8-18
8-19 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative Low
Capacity LGA Terminal Profiles 8-19
8-20 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative High
Capacity LGA Terminal Profiles 8-20
8-21 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex ISP Arrival Profile 8-20
8-22 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex ISP Departure Profile 8-21
8-23 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex ISP Terminal Profiles 8-21
8-24 EWR Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Arrivals 8-22
8-25 Origins of Traffic to Each EWR Arrival Fix 8-23
8-26 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex EWR Altitude Restrictions 8-24
8-27 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex EWR Departure Profile 8-24
8-28 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex EWR Low Capacity
Terminal Profiles 8-25
8-29 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex EWR High Capacity
Terminal Profiles 8-26
8-30 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex TEB/MMU Arrivals 8-26
8-31 Origins of Traffic to Each TEB/MMU Arrival Fix 8-27
8-32 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex TEB/MMU Arrival Altitude Restrictions 8-28
8-33 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex TEB Departure Profile 8-28
8-34 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Low Capacity TEB
Terminal Profile 8-29

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8-35 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex High Capacity TEB
Terminal Profile 8-29
8-36 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex MMU Terminal Profile 8-30
8-37 Origins of Traffic to Each PHL Arrival Fix 8-31
8-38 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex PHL Arrivals 8-31
8-39 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex PHL Arrival Profile 8-32
8-40 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex PHL Departure Profile 8-33
8-41 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex West Flow PHL
Terminal Profiles 8-33
8-42 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex East Flow PHL Terminal
Profiles 8-34
8-43 Comparison of HPN Arrivals (Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex vs. Future No
Action) 8-35
8-44 Origins of Traffic to Each HPN Arrival Fix 8-35
8-45 HPN Arrival Altitude Restrictions 8-36
8-46 Comparison of HPN Departures (Future No Action versus Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Control Complex) 8-37
8-47 Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex HPN Terminal Profiles 8-38
9-1 2011 Departure Delay: Airspace Alone 9-9
9-2 LGA Departure Throughput with Airspace Delays 9-10
9-3 EWR Departure Throughput with Airspace Delays 9-10
9-4 Arrival Inter-facility Handoff 9-19
9-5 Departure Inter-facility Handoff 9-19
9-6 JFK Arrival Delays 9-20
9-7 JFK Departure Delays 9-21
9-8 LGA Arrival Delays 9-22
9-9 LGA Departure Delays 9-22
9-10 EWR Arrival Delays 9-24
9-11 EWR Departure Delays 9-24
9-12 TEB Arrival Delays 9-25
9-13 TEB Departure Delays 9-25
9-14 PHL Arrival Delays 9-27
9-15 PHL Departure Delays 9-27
9-16 West Gate Equity of Fix Traffic 9-29
9-17 South Gate Equity of Fix Traffic 9-30
9-18 North Gate Equity of Fix Traffic 9-31
9-19 East Gate Equity of Fix Traffic 9-32
9-20 EWR 2011 End of Arrival Push 9-33

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9-21 LGA 2011 End of Arrival Push 9-33
9-22 Route Length Changes 9-35
9-23 Block Time Changes 9-36
9-24 Maximum Sustainable Throughput 9-38
A-1 Delay at Merging Point A-3
A-2 Delay on J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Future No Action Alternative A-6
A-3 Delay on J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Future No Action Alternative A-10
A-4 Delay on J209 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Future No Action Alternative A-10
A-5 Fixes Used in Airspace Delay Calculations (Modifications to Existing Airspace) A-12
A-6 Delay at J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative A-15
A-7 Delay at J209 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative A-16
A-8 Fixes Used in Airspace Delay Calculation (Ocean Routing Alternative) A-18
A-9 Delay at J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Ocean Routing Alternative A-20
A-10 Fixes Used in Airspace Delay Calculations for Integrated Airspace Alternative A-22
A-11 Delay at J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Integrated Airspace Alternative A-25
A-12 Delay at J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Ocean Routing Alternative A-25
A-13 Fixes Used in Airspace Delay Calculation for Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative A-27
B-1 NY Fleet Mix Distributions B-2
B-2 ARTCC Origins/Destinations (O/D) Eligible for Conversions to RJs B-4
B-3 EWR Average Arrival Delay B-5
B-4 EWR Average Departure Delay B-5
B-5 EWR Arrival Throughput by Runway – 2011 Forecast Fleet Mix B-6
B-6 EWR Arrival Throughput by Runway – 2004 Forecast Fleet Mix B-7
B-7 EWR Future No Action Alternative Average Arrival Delay (Low Capacity Configuration) B-7
B-8 EWR Departure Throughput by Runway – 2011 Forecast Fleet Mix B-8
B-9 EWR Departure Throughput by Runway – 2004 Fleet Mix B-8
B-10 EWR Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative Average Departure Delay
(High Capacity Configuration) B-9
B-11 EWR Future No Action Alternative Average Departure Delay (High Capacity Configuration) B-10
B-12 EWR Ocean Routing Alternative Average Departure Delay (High Capacity Configuration) B-11

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 List of Tables

Table Page
1-1 Runway Configuration 3-5
3-2 JFK Departures Runway Headings (Degrees) 3-7
3-3 LGA Departure Runway Headings (Degrees) 3-9
3-4 EWR Departure Runway Headings (Degrees) 3-12
3-5 HPN Departure Runway Headings (Degrees) 3-17
3-6 Arrival/Departure Traffic File Counts .-18
3-7 Example Metering Calculations 3-20
3-8 LGA Time-Based Metering 3-21
3-9 EWR MINIT 3-22
4-1 NY Metro Departure Fix, Assigned Jet Route and Typical Destinations 4-3
5-1 Runway 22R Departure Headings for Integrated Airspace Alternative 5-8
8-1 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Departure Routes 8-8
9-1 Metrics 9-2
9-2 2011 Departure Airspace Delay (Minutes) 9-7
9-3 Time to Climb to 18,000 Feet (Minutes) 9-12
9-4 Effect on Time to Climb, Weighted (Minutes) 9-12
9-5 Time to Descend (Minutes) 9-14
9-6 Effect on Time to Descend, Weighted (Minutes) 9-14
9-7 Descent Distances (nmi) 9-16
9-8 Effect on Descent Distance (nmi) Weighted 9-16
9-9 Climb Distance (nmi) 9-17
9-10 Effect on Climb Distance (nmi) Weighted 9-18
9-11 ISP Airport Delay (Minutes) 9-23
9-12 MMU Airport Delay (Minutes) 9-26
9-13 HPN Airport Delay (Minutes) 9-28
9-14 Summary of Metric Results 9-39
A-1 Future No Action Alternative Departure Fix Separations A-7
A-2 Future No Action Alternative Jet Route Separations A-9
A-3 Future No Action Alternative Delay Passback to Departure Fixes A-11
A-4 Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative Departure Fix Separations A-13
A-5 Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative Jet Route Separations A-14
A-6 Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative Delay Passback to Departure Fixes A-17
A-7 Ocean Routing Alternative Departure Fix Separations A-19
A-8 Ocean Routing Alternative Jet Route Separations A-20

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A-9 Ocean Routing Alternative Delay Passback to Departure Fixes A-21
A-10 Integrated Airspace Alternative Departure Fix and Separations A-23
A-11 Integrated Airspace Alternative Jet Route Fix and Separations A-24
A-12 Integrated Airspace Delay Passback to Departure Fixes A-26
A-13 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative Departure Fix Separations A-28
A-14 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative Jet Route Separations A-29

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Executive Summary
Keeping the design of the airspace around New York City and Philadelphia aligned with
the demand on the aviation system has always been a priority of the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA). In April 1998, the FAA launched a multi-year effort to redesign this
large and critical piece of airspace. This is the first major redesign of the airspace supporting
the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas in over a decade. The project has been
named the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia (NY/NJ/PHL) Metropolitan Area Airspace
Redesign. The purpose of this effort, broadly stated, is to maintain safety and increase the
efficiency of air traffic operations in the area. This broad purpose was refined by the FAA’s
redesign team into a set of system improvements.
Since the beginning of this critical project, The MITRE Corporation’s Center for
Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) has been part of the FAA’s team. The
FAA requested that CAASD work with the FAA’s redesign team to evaluate the operational
impacts, specifically safety and efficiency, of five proposed airspace designs. The first
alternative, the Future No Action Alternative, is required by the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and is based on current airspace and routing. The second alternative, the
Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative, assumes minor modifications to today’s
airspace and routing. The third alternative, the Ocean Routing Alternative, is a proposal of
the Office of the Governor of New Jersey, originally developed by the New Jersey Coalition
Against Aircraft Noise, Inc. The fourth alternative, the Integrated Airspace Alternative,
assumes integrated routes and airspace but without constructing a new proposed air traffic
control facility. The fifth alternative, the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative, assumes integrated routes and airspace as well as construction of the
proposed New York Integrated Control Complex (NYICC).
CAASD has conducted analyses to aid the design process, provided quantitative input on
the choice of alternatives, and supported the preparation of the Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). The EIS describes the purpose and need for the airspace redesign and
analyzes the potential environmental impacts. The results of the CAASD operational analysis
are reported here and will be referenced in FAA’s EIS.
NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign Process
The NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign is a cooperative effort among
many FAA facilities. The redesign team for this project consists of participants from the
New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), the New York Air Route Traffic
Control Center (ARTCC), the Philadelphia TRACON, the Washington ARTCC, and the
Boston ARTCC. Additional input was also provided by neighboring ARTCCs in the Great
Lakes Corridor. The FAA’s redesign team began the process of redesigning the airspace by
understanding the problems in the airspace and translating those issues into desirable features

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of new designs. The redesign team developed several options for airspace improvements,
ranging from minor modifications to a fundamental redesign of the airspace. These concepts
were coordinated and merged into alternative designs to be considered in the EIS, each
defined by a set of airways, holding fixes, altitude restrictions, and terminal arrival and
departure procedures. The redesign team gave their airspace design alternatives, along with
one externally-developed alternative, to CAASD for modeling and simulation.
CAASD’s simulation models started with airport models that were simple enough to be
practical for combining into a single large simulation, while still being detailed enough to
show the effect of an airspace change. CAASD provided quantitative feedback from the
simulations to the redesign team. If these observations matched the design goals, they were
confirmed by the redesign team; if they did not, the design was modified. When a complete
simulation of an alternative was operationally validated by the redesign team, the simulated
aircraft trajectories were passed to the environmental analysis consortium for assessment of
noise impacts and other environmental factors. If the environmental analysis uncovered any
remaining unworkable details of the airspace design, another cycle of feedback took place
with the redesign team making modifications and CAASD adapting the simulation
accordingly.

Alternative Simulated
airspace Future
designs Trajectories

FAA Environ-
FAA FAA
ATC, user metrics Future Traffic mental
Redesign
Redesign Redesign
Team Analysis
Team Team
Team
Noise Impact of Alternative

Figure ES-1. Role of CAASD in the Study Consortium

CAASD modeled and evaluated five airspace alternatives for the NY/NJ/PHL
Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign. All applicable traffic flows in the airspace were
evaluated. The area’s eight primary airports,1 where airspace redesign will have an effect on
runway operations, were modeled in detail from the runways up.

1 The eight airports modeled were John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), Long Island
MacArthur (ISP), Morristown Municipal (MMU), Newark Liberty International (EWR), Philadelphia
International (PHL), Teterboro (TEB), and Westchester County (HPN).

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 Alternatives Overview
The first alternative, the Future No Action Alternative, is required by NEPA and is
based on current airspace and routing. In this alternative the airspace operates as it has since
2002 with a few improvements that are independent of the larger scale airspace redesign
concepts in the NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign project.
The second alternative is the Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative. This
alternative assumes minor modifications to today’s airspace and routing, improving
operations as much as possible within the limitations of current air traffic control facility
boundaries. Departure efficiency at many of the modeled airports is improved by addition of
multiple departure headings. A parallel offset route is created to take some demand off the
most congested westbound airway. Southern departures from New York are rearranged to
alleviate an occasional congestion problem out of Philadelphia.
The Ocean Routing Alternative, the third alternative, is a proposal of the Office of the
Governor of New Jersey, originally developed by the New Jersey Coalition Against Aircraft
Noise, Inc. This alternative keeps Newark and LaGuardia departures over water until they
have climbed high enough so that noise is not a problem west of the Hudson River. Making
this change requires corresponding changes to JFK’s operations as well.
The fourth alternative is the Integrated Airspace Alternative, which assumes integrated
routes and airspace but without constructing a new proposed air traffic control facility. This
form of integration can provide benefits to customers and controllers, even if control
responsibility remains distributed among four facilities. This alternative has multiple
departure headings and a parallel jet airway to the west, as in the Modifications alternative.
It rearranges departure fixes on the west side of New York. JFK satellite departures to the
south are given separate routes, and the routes are separated earlier. This alternative stands
alone, but if the air traffic control facilities are to be integrated, it can serve as a transition
state between current operations and full integration of both airspace and operations.
The fifth alternative is the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative, which assumes integrated routes and airspace as well as construction of the
proposed NYICC. This alternative is a fundamental redesign of the airspace from New York
to Philadelphia. NYICC would control a large area using terminal separation rules (up to
FL230 in altitude in some places), with the higher altitude portion (up to FL350) operating
with en route separation rules. The inefficiencies associated with transfer of control from
one facility to another are minimized by the integration. Many new routes are available to
New York departures. Arrivals are rearranged so that airspace constraints do not prevent use
of dual approaches to Newark at times of heavy arrival demand.

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 Operational Impacts
Each of the five alternatives was operationally modeled using the Total Airspace and
Airport Modeller (TAAM). TAAM is a fast-time simulation tool that can model ground,
terminal, and en route airspace environments.2 As part of the model development,
MapInfo geographical information system software was used to facilitate arrival and
departure route definition. The Radar Audio Playback Terminal Operations Recording
(RAPTOR) tool was used to show the TAAM simulation output in the form of simulated
flight tracks as part of the validation effort. Special purpose software was developed by
CAASD to simulate ground delay for arrivals to the modeled airports, and to delay
departures from the modeled airports to adjust for airway congestion downstream. The
Sector Design and Analysis Tool (SDAT) was used to extract times of entry and exit of
aircraft for airspace volumes, which facilitated the development of metrics other than delay.
CAASD applied these tools to the validated alternatives to generate the metrics shown in
Table ES-1. The most advantageous value for each metric, across the alternatives, is
boldfaced.
Modifications to Existing System Alternative shows benefits relative to the Future No
Action Alternative from the fanning of departure headings. West departures from the New
York metropolitan airports (JFK, LGA, EWR, HPN, ISP, TEB, and MMU) and Philadelphia
have an additional jet route, similar to that in Integrated Airspace Alternative. This jet route
is used for arrivals to the Indianapolis and Cleveland ARTCC internal airports.
Modifications to Existing System Alternative reduces airspace delays by about one-third,
compared to the current published procedures.

2 Detailed information on TAAM is presented on web site http://www.preston.net/products/TAAM.htm.

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 Table ES-1. Summary of Operational Impacts

Existing Airspace
Future No Action

Modifications to

Airspace with
Integrated

Integrated
Airspace
Routing
Ocean

ICC
System
Improvements Metric
Reduce Jet route delays + time
12 12 12 11 10
complexity below 18,000 ft (min)
Arrival Distance
96 95 99 96 102
below 18,000 ft (nmi)

Reduce voice Max Inter-facility

525 525 521 529 382
communications handoffs per hour
traffic-weighted
22.9 22.6 23.6 22.8 19.9
Reduce delay Arrival Delay 2011
traffic-weighted
23.3 20.9 29.5 20.8 19.2
Departure Delay 2011

Balance Equity of west gate fix

0.37 0.37 0.37 0.34 0.30
controller workload traffic counts

Meet system
demands & Improve End of day's last
user access to system arrival push 23:54 23:54 23:54 23:54 23:00
Expedite arrivals Time below
18.5 18.2 18.8 18.2 18.6
and departures 18,000 ft (min)

Change in Route Length

0.0 0.0 4.5 -1.2 3.7
per flight (nmi)

Change in block time

0.0 - 0.9 3.9 -1.0 -1.4
(minutes per flight)

Flexibility
0 0 – 0 +
in routing Qualitative Assessment

Maintain airport
223 223 223 223 238
throughput Arrivals

(total of maximum
238 239 221 240 245
sustainable throughput) Departures

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 In the Oceanic Routing Alternative, Newark departures are negatively impacted by
longer distances (15 nmi) and extra block time (25 minutes) in comparison to the Future No
Action Alternative. The Ocean Routing Alternative removes the delay on the west gate out
of New York, since this gate is no longer available to Newark departures in the high capacity
configuration. However, in its place is a new delay point to the south of NY. The result is a
small reduction in airspace delay due to the ocean routing, but with a corresponding huge
increase in airport departure delay. There is an additional complication in the en route
airspace, as the proposed routing of Newark and Kennedy departures pass just north of the
main departure fix out of Philadelphia. As Newark departures are pushed later in the day by
the airspace capacity limits that traffic coincides with the evening departure push out of
Philadelphia. The result is increased complexity in the en route airspace to the southwest of
New York, which is already a bottleneck in the en route system. The Oceanic Routing
Alternative does not meet the objectives of the airspace redesign. Based on these operational
results, CAASD recommends that this alternative not be considered further.
The Modifications to Existing System and Integrated Airspace alternatives are very
similar from the perspective of benefits to users of the airspace. The split of J80 into two
airways is the critical change in each case. The primary difference is the interface between
the New York TRACON and the split jet airway. In the Modifications to Existing System
Alternative, as in the current system, the single fix ELIOT feeds several jet airways from two
altitudes. The analysis in this report shows that a single fix with two altitudes is more
efficient for users than splitting ELIOT into two fixes, each of which will feed an airway that
is tightly constrained in the lateral dimension. If it is operationally feasible, the single fix
with two altitudes would be a better transitional design to the Integrated Airspace with
Integrated Control Complex Alternative, since the latter alternative has two altitudes on all
the west gate fixes.
The Integrated Airspace Alternative has two major differences from the Future No
Action Alternative. First, departures are fanned off the runways, reducing departure delay
significantly. Second, a second departure fix is created out of New York to share ELIOT
traffic, and a parallel airway to J80 handles arrivals to Indianapolis Center. These changes
cut the J80 delay by 20 percent, reduce departure fix delay at the Modena VOR (MXE) by
half, and eliminate ELIOT as a source of congestion. The net result is a reduction of airspace
delay by about one-third.
One feature of the Integrated Airspace Alternative is the change to the Long Island
MacArthur south departures. Though this change affects only about a dozen flights, the
impact on airspace delay is substantial. South gate delays are reduced by almost a third, as
downstream congestion over Norfolk, VA is reduced. In addition, flights benefit in terms of
flying slightly shorter distances than in the Future No Action Alternative, with a small
decrease in block time.

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 Overall, the metrics slightly favor the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative. The improvements in airspace delays are significant. The expanded
west gate has no departure fixes with more than 30 minutes of delay per day. North gate
departure delays are essentially eliminated. J80 and its offset partner are no more restrictive
than other jet airways in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative. The change to the south gate, which permits J79 traffic to be placed on the west
side of J209 departures while still under New York departure control, balances the departure
delay on the replacement fixes for WHITE and WAVEY. Moreover, while the majority of
flights fly longer distances with the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative, users see a net benefit in terms of shorter block times in comparison to
the other alternatives. Newark shows the greatest benefits from the Integrated Airspace
with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, since the benefits associated with the use of
dual arrival streams dominate the increased flying distance. Fanned departure headings also
contribute significantly to delay reduction. The Integrated Control Complex also
significantly decreases the voice communications associated with the number of inter-facility
handoffs. With the integrating of the New York TRACON and New York Center, the peak
number of inter-facility handoffs is as much as 30 percent lower per hour in the Integrated
Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative than in any of the multi-facility
alternatives.
At the high demand levels forecast for 2011, the Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Control Complex Alternative shows the best performance overall. However, it must be
noted that the penalties caused by longer routes are a fixed cost that is proportional to the
number of flights. The benefits due to improved airport operations increase faster than
linearly as traffic increases. Therefore, there is a break-even point in traffic levels. If traffic
is above that level, which is somewhere between the median and the 90th percentile day in
the 2011 forecast, the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
is a net benefit. If the forecast demand levels do not materialize, the Integrated Airspace
with Integrated Control Complex Alternative may not reach the break-even point.
Recommendations
The delay metrics evaluated for the Future No Action Alternative show severe airport
congestion that will be costly to users of the airspace. To meet the anticipated demand,
changes must be made to the current system.
The simulations reported in this document show several changes that can ameliorate
future conditions and bring the system closer to the stated needs:
• Airspace constraints that limit the use of available runways must be removed
• Departures should be permitted to fly dispersed headings as close to the runway as
feasible

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 • Departure fixes should not have to serve more than one airway
• Multiple altitudes should be available at departure fixes
• Sequencing decisions for arrivals should be made as early as possible, and
coordination between arrival streams should be seamless
Of the remaining alternatives, all have benefits. However, only one alternative
incorporates enough of the changes listed above to be worth the effort and expense of
implementing an airspace redesign of this magnitude. Therefore, the Integrated Airspace
with Integrated Control Complex Alternative is the recommended choice.

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Section 1
Background
The airspace that surrounds and supports the New York City, New Jersey, and
Philadelphia metropolitan areas is complex on several levels. It is operationally complex,
because the demand is high. It is organizationally complex, because the national airspace
system has developed over time in such a way that this airspace is controlled by several
facilities located in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts, which are in two
separate administrative regions. Heavy traffic in complex airspace leads to congestion, and
congestion leads to delays. Delayed flights result in increased costs to customers and
passengers. Increased costs in these busy metropolitan areas, including the largest economic
center in the United States, have a potentially very large negative impact on the national
economy.
Keeping the design of the airspace around New York City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia
aligned with the demand on the aviation system has always been a priority of the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA). In April 1998, the FAA launched a multi-year effort to
redesign this large and critical piece of airspace. As part of the National Airspace Redesign,
(NAR) the project has been chartered as the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia
(NY/NJ/PHL) Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign and is the first major redesign of the
airspace supporting the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas in over a decade.1
Since the beginning of this critical project, The MITRE Corporation’s Center for
Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) has been part of the FAA’s team. The
FAA requested that CAASD work with the FAA’s redesign team. As the airspace
redesigners created (or forwarded) possible new plans from each set of operating
assumptions, CAASD evaluated them for operational impacts, specifically safety and
efficiency. CAASD has conducted analyses to aid the design process, provided quantitative
input to the choice of alternatives, and supported the preparation of the Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS describes the purpose and need, affected environment,
alternatives including the proposed action and the environmental consequences in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The results of the CAASD analysis
are reported here and will be referenced in FAA’s EIS.

1 The NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign was preceded by many other redesigns, some
implemented and some not, including the Metroplex Plan (1970), Northeast Airspace Procedures Study
(1980), Regional Analysis of Metroplex Procedures (1981), East Coast Plan (1983), and Expanded East
Coast Plan (1984-1987).

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

1.1 NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign Process
The NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign is a cooperative effort. The
redesign team for this project consists of participants from the New York Terminal Radar
Approach Control (TRACON), the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC),
the Philadelphia TRACON, the Washington ARTCC, and the Boston ARTCC. Additional
input was also provided by neighboring ARTCCs in the Great Lakes Corridor. The FAA’s
redesign team began the process of redesigning the airspace by understanding the problems
in the airspace and translating those issues into desirable features of new designs. These
concepts were coordinated and merged into alternative designs to be considered in the EIS,
each defined by a set of airways, holding fixes, altitude restrictions, and terminal arrival and
departure procedures. The airspace alternatives were communicated to CAASD by the
redesign team.
CAASD developed simulation models of each alternative design. These simulation
models started with airport models that were simple enough to be practical for combining
into a single large simulation, while still being detailed enough to show the effect of an
airspace change. CAASD provided quantitative feedback from the simulations to the
redesign team. If these observations matched the design goals, they were confirmed by the
redesign team; if they did not, the design was modified. When a complete simulation of an
alternative was operationally validated by the redesign team, the simulated aircraft
trajectories were passed to the environmental analysis consortium for assessment of noise
impacts and other environmental factors. If the environmental analysis uncovered any
remaining unworkable details of the airspace design, another cycle of feedback took place
with the redesign team making modifications and CAASD adapting the simulation
accordingly. As a result of the iterative process used in developing this study, the
environmental and operational analyses are consistent.

Alternative Simulated
airspace Future
designs Trajectories
Environ-
FAA
FAA FAA
mental
Redesign
Redesign ATC, user metrics Future Traffic Redesign
Analysis
Team
Team Team
Team
Noise Impact of Alternative

Figure 1-1. Role of CAASD in the Study Consortium

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Section 2
Study Overview
This section provides an overview of the study purpose, airspace designs evaluated, tools
used, and how the modeled designs were validated. Section 3 describes the overall modeling
assumptions and input parameters. The modeled alternatives are discussed in Sections 4
through 8. The operational analysis results are presented in Section 9 and conclusions and
recommendations in Section 10.

2.1 Purpose
The purpose of the NY/NJ/PHL airspace redesign, broadly stated, is to increase the safety
and efficiency of air traffic operations in the area. This broad purpose was refined by the
FAA’s redesign team into a set of system improvements:
• Reduce complexity
• Reduce voice communications
• Reduce delay
• Balance controller workload
• Meet system demands and improve user access to system
• Expedite arrivals and departures
• Increase flexibility in routing
• Maintain airport throughput
A detailed description of these objectives, associated metrics and simulation modeling
results for each alternative are discussed in Section 9.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

2.2 Airspace Designs Evaluated
CAASD modeled and evaluated five alternative airspace designs for the NY/NJ/PHL
Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign. All applicable traffic flows in the airspace were
evaluated; however specific detail was paid to the area’s eight primary airports:1
1. Future No Action Alternative which is based on today’s airspace and routing,
2. Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative which assumes minor modifications
to today’s airspace and routing,
3. Ocean Routing Alternative which keeps departures over water until noise is not a
problem,
4. Integrated Airspace Alternative which assumes integrated routes and airspace but
without constructing a new proposed ATC facility, the New York Integrated Control
Complex (NYICC), and
5. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative which assumes
integrated routes and airspace and the NYICC.
An overview of these alternatives is provided in 2.2.1 through 2.2.5. Detailed information
about the airspace and airports is in Section 4 through Section 8.

2.2.1 Future No Action Alternative

Under the Future No Action Alternative, the airspace operates as it did during 2002, with
a few improvements included that are independent of the large scale airspace redesign
proposals. These improvements are anticipated to be in place before the final New York
redesign is completed.
Most important of these improvements is the split of the western departures from PHL
into two streams. As of the base year (2000), all traffic was routed over the Modena VOR
(MXE). A separate stream was established in 2003 for traffic headed to the inland south and
southwest (Atlanta and Charlotte, for example) along jet airways J48 and J75. Now that this
is in place, the capacity of the junction between PHL and the en route airspace to the west
has been effectively doubled.

1 The eight airports modeled were John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, Long Island MacArthur,
Morristown Municipal, Newark Liberty International, Philadelphia International, Teterboro, and
Westchester County.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Other improvements involve replacing current standard terminal arrival routes and
departure procedures with Flight Management System (FMS) and area navigation (RNAV)
overlays. Replacements like these are currently happening across the country, with the aim
of reducing navigation workload for pilots and controllers.

2.2.2 Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative

This alternative assumes minor modifications to today’s airspace and routing, improving
operations as much as possible within the limitations of current air traffic control facility
boundaries. This alternative builds on the Future No Action Alternative with two significant
changes. WHITE departures are moved farther west. PHL has a new DITCH departure that
is moved eastward and climbs under the new WHITE departure. EWR adds a WAVEY
oceanic departure route in the low capacity configuration (using Runway 04L/29 for
departures, Runway 04R/11 for arrivals). Southwest bound departures out of PHL are
restructured to allow unrestricted climbs.

2.2.3 Ocean Routing Alternative

The Ocean Routing Alternative is a proposal of the Office of the Governor of New
Jersey, originally developed by the New Jersey Coalition Against Aircraft Noise, Inc.
This alternative begins by sending EWR departures south and east over water, regardless
of their final destination. The aircraft climb over the water until they are high enough to be
inaudible from the land. West departures then turn south and west to join their jet airways.
In effect, the current four west fixes are replaced by a single fix. To accommodate this new
flow of traffic, the JFK arrivals that currently use that airspace (the ones headed north from
ZDC) are moved several miles eastward. Arrivals to JFK from ZDC are also moved
eastward to give the EWR departures space to climb unimpeded. JFK westbound departures
go even farther south before turning west.
EWR North departures go east, and then turn north over Long Island, then west. This
loop eastward permits them to climb out of the New York TRACON through the top of the
TRACON airspace, then proceed westward at high altitude.
North and west departures from LGA head north, keeping east of the Hudson River, until
their engine noise is no longer a problem, then turn westward. They will be under the north
departures from EWR.
PHL traffic is not directly affected by the Ocean Routing Alternative. Any impacts on
PHL will be secondary, because departures may have a more difficult time merging with the
JFK departures to the west, which are now overhead of the MXE departure fix.

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2.2.4 Integrated Airspace Alternative
In this alternative, NY metro departures to north and east, and oceanic departures as well
as all PHL departures are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative. West departures
from NY metro airports have an additional departure fix. Also a jet route parallel to J80 is
available for NY metro and PHL departures for airports in the Indianapolis ARTCC (ZID)
internal airports. JFK satellite departures to the south are given separate routes from JFK and
the routes are separated earlier depending on the destination (over water on J209 or over land
on J79).

2.2.5 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative

This alternative is a fundamental redesign of the airspace from New York to
Philadelphia. It envisions a large area, up to FL230 in some places, using terminal separation
rules,2 with a higher altitude portion (up to FL350) operating like an ARTCC. The airspace
will comprise most of the current New York TRACON and Center, several sectors from
ZDC, and several sectors from ZBW. The current TRACON and en route Center will lose
their separate identities, as they are merged into a single facility that has some features of
each. PHL TRACON will continue to exist as a separate facility, also using terminal
separation rules in its expanded airspace. Airspace over top of the integrated control
complex will be controlled by other ARTCCs. Fanning of departures to reduce inter-
departure spacing is a feature of the Integrated Alternative, just as for the Modifications to
Existing Airspace Alternative.

2.3 Tools
The alternatives were operationally modeled using the Total Airspace and Airport
Modeler (TAAM). TAAM is a fast-time simulation tool that can model ground, terminal,
and en route airspace environments.3 The simulation approach and detailed modeling input
is provided in Section 3.
As part of the model development, MapInfo was used to facilitate arrival and departure
route definition. The Radar Audio Playback Terminal Operations Recording (RAPTOR) tool
was used to show the TAAM simulation output in the form of simulated flight tracks as part
of the validation effort. Special purpose software was developed to simulate ground delay
for arrivals to the modeled airports, and to delay departures from the modeled airports to
adjust for airway congestion downstream. The Sector Design and Analysis Tool (SDAT)

2 Terminal separation rules provide for 3 nmi lateral separation at altitude (versus 5 for en route) and for a 15
degree course divergence to discontinue altitude separation.

3 Detailed information on TAAM is presented on website http://www.preston.net/products/TAAM.htm.

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was used to extract times of entry and exit of aircraft for airspace volumes, which facilitated
the development of metrics other than delay.
Special purpose software was developed by CAASD to simulate ground delay for arrivals
to the modeled airports, in cases where the forecast demand greatly exceeded airport
capacity, and to delay departures for modeled airports to accommodate airway congestion
downstream. The complete description on how these delays were calculated via this
software is described in Appendix A.

2.4 Model Validation

Airport models were calibrated to the observed throughputs, derived from the
Computerized Analysis of Terminal Records (CATER). No attempt was made to calibrate
TAAM delays to current delay data because there is no standard data applicable to the high
traffic levels forecast for 2006 and 2011.
To validate the airport and en route models, air traffic controllers on the redesign team
who were familiar with the terminal and en route airspace of interest were asked to look at
the traffic in the model for their area of expertise, either statistically or using TAAM or
RAPTOR animations. Most validation was done in person, with corrections made
interactively on the spot. In other cases, the suggested changes were made off-line and sent
back to the design team for confirmation. MapInfo™ was often used to display the aircraft
tracks, annotated with altitude, speed, and traffic volume information. This gave a two
dimensional picture about the path an aircraft should be taking. This process was repeated
numerous times throughout the analysis. Once traffic was flowing as the validation
controllers expected, it was incorporated into the production simulation.

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Section 3
Modeling Assumptions and Input Data
The redesign of the airspace between New York City and Philadelphia has the potential
to affect a significant number of high altitude flights in the United States and a large part of
Canada. A huge study area, however, would make the efficiency analysis so lengthy and
unwieldy that the analysis results would not be available in a timely manner to the decision
makers who need to approve the redesign. Therefore, the first task in the operational
analysis was therefore to simplify the simulation domain of the study. Then, the other factors
such as weather phase of flight, geography, aircraft routes of flight, terminal procedures, and
runway usages were considered. Finally, forecast traffic was determined and airport
throughput was validated.

3.1 Simulation Domain

Decisions about simulation scope and detail were made for both airspace and airports.
Airspace is modeled with the aircraft routes, terminal procedures, and sectorization. Airports
can be modeled as point sources without runway capacity, or with all runways, taxiways, and
gates (gate-to-gate modeling).
Because the NY/NJ/PHL Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign has the possibility of
improving the flexibility of runway use at several airports and enhancing the departure
procedures at others, airport modeling was necessary. However, complete gate-to-gate
modeling of flights was not needed since the only change to ground operations in any of the
alternatives occurs when EWR operates under dual arrival streams. The feasibility of this
operation for the airport surface has been verified in a previous study as described in
subsection 3.3. The runways were the only part of the airports simulated, which is sufficient
to permit changes in approach and departure procedures to be modeled.
Detailed operational modeling was conducted for a subset of the airports included in the
EIS. The airports JFK, LGA, ISP, MMU, EWR, PHL, TEB, and HPN were selected based
on several criteria: significant impact on traffic on the airways under study; significant
impact on airport operations from the proposed airspace designs; or sharing arrival or
departure fixes.
En route and terminal operations were modeled for eight airports. Runways were
modeled for these airports in order to capture the impact of changed low altitude arrival and
departure procedures in the various alternatives. Wherever possible, gate and taxiway
modeling was excluded from the simulation. This exclusion was acceptable at JFK, TEB,
MMU, ISP and HPN because ground capacity is not a constraint on operations. At LGA, the
ground operation is a steady state of alternating arrivals and departures, which can be

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

simulated without a ground model. At PHL, ground modeling was necessary to obtain the
correct dependence between the runways in east configuration.

3.2 Weather
Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) were the only conditions simulated at the
modeled airports. When the airports are at their maximum capacity (i.e., VMC), the
sustained demand on the airspace is highest. Constraints from airspace design are most
obvious when there is high demand from the airports. In routine situations with lower airport
capacity, traffic flow management programs are implemented to reduce the demand and
airspace is less of a constraint.
Wind was not explicitly included in the modeling. Arrival and departure procedures
were simulated so that wind was included implicitly, with ground tracks and altitude profiles
matching recorded radar tracks.
Unpredictable reduced-capacity situations due to weather are critically important to users
of the system. Robustness in the face of adverse conditions lead most lists of what users
want from the air traffic management system. Performance of the system during convective
weather events is expected to be greatly affected by airspace redesign, and several adverse
weather scenarios will be studied in future work. The good weather simulation is the first
step in that direction.

3.3 Geography
The most radical of the proposed changes to the system is in the Integrated Airspace with
Integrated Control Complex alternative, which integrates the NY airspace and air traffic
control operations in the current ZNY and TRACON into a single integrated control
complex. In this alternative, New York, Washington (ZDC), and Boston (ZBW) ARTCCs
will be affected as shown in Figure 3-1. Cleveland ARTCC (ZOB), as well, may have to
make changes to its operation to accommodate some of the alternative design proposals. The
airspace of the ZNY, ZDC and ZBW ARTCCs (Centers) was included in the modeling
effort. Other Centers were assumed to be able to accommodate the changes with minimal
operational impact. Traffic to airports other than the eight modeled explicitly was omitted,
because this traffic is procedurally separated from New York City and Philadelphia traffic in
today’s system and all the proposed alternatives.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 EXISTING
INTEGRATED
ZBW ZBW

ENROUTE

ZOB ENROUTE
ENROUTE

N90
TERMINAL NYICC
ENROUTE AIRSPACE

ZNY TERMINAL TYPE AIRSPACE

ZNY Oceanic Airspace

ENROUTE NYICC
ZOB Oceanic Airspace
ENROUTE

ZDC ZDC
ENROUTE

Figure 3-1. Existing and Integrated Airspace

3.4 Aircraft Routes

The Future No Action Alternative arrival and departure routes were derived from flight
plan and flight track information from the Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS).
New York Center’s System Analysis Recording (SAR) data were used to derive general
aviation (GA) routes.
Arrival and departure routes for the other alternatives were provided in both paper and
electronic form by the redesign team.
All flights with the same origin and destination shared the same route in these
simulations. Changes in route preference during the day due to changes in winds and
congestion were omitted. Traffic to and from airports that are close together but far from the
study area (for example, the three airports around San Francisco Bay) was frequently placed
on different routes in order to reproduce the daily variation in route loading observed in
flight plans from the ETMS.
Heuristics were developed to provide a method to assist in route design and route length
comparisons among the different airspace design scenarios. With these heuristics, and
through additional analysis of ETMS data, the Future No Action route and other alternative
routes were compared and made consistent with each other to the point where the routes
diverged based on the airspace design.

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3.5 Wake Turbulence Separations
Standard wake turbulence separations have been derived from operational observations at
a number of airports and account for the fact that separations in Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
tend to be less than the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) minima. Adjustments were made to
the standard wake turbulence separations to match simulation results to conform to
Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) data. ARTS provides track information on
flights within a 60 mile radius of a terminal radar.

3.6 Altitude Restrictions

Altitude restrictions for the Future No Action, Modifications to Existing Airspace, and
Integrated Airspace Alternatives were determined from 2002 Jeppesen approach plates and
facility standard operating procedures. Altitude restrictions for the Integrated Airspace with
Integrated Control Complex Alternative were provided by the redesign team.

3.7 Sector Configurations

It was assumed that sectorization of the airspace would be appropriate to permit all routes
to be used at their design efficiency in good weather. Arrival sectors were assumed to cause
no delay in excess of that needed for proper sequencing of aircraft. Departure sectors were
assumed to have the ability to space aircraft appropriately for handoff to the next en route
facility or terminal.

3.8 Terminal Arrival and Departure Procedures

The terminal arrival and departure procedures for the Future No Action Alternative were
derived from ARTS data trajectories, 2002 Jeppesen approach plates, and controller input.
Arrival and departure procedures for the other alternatives were based on modifications
to the current procedures as coordinated and validated by the redesign team.

3.9 Airport and Runway Configuration

Two sets of runway configurations were simulated for the operational analysis. The
highest capacity configurations of runways at JFK, LGA, PHL, and EWR/TEB (considered
as a single unit) were combined into a single scenario designed to put the maximum stress on
the airspace. Another scenario of lower capacity configurations for these five airports was
simulated to place different stresses on the arrival airspace and show dependence of the
efficiency metrics on runway configuration. These two configurations were determined by
the redesign team to span the range of interest. Over time, the low capacity configurations
handle about 45 percent of the operations; high capacity configurations handle the rest. PHL
also has a high capacity and low capacity configuration (West and East respectively), but the
airport configuration in PHL is not dictated by the common configurations of the major NY

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

airports. Therefore the configurations are labeled “East” and “West” instead. PHL operates
to the west about 75% of the time; to the east about 25%.
The runway configurations for low and high capacity are shown in Table 3-1. The arrival
runways are indicated by the letter “A” followed by a space and then by the runway name(s),
and the departure runways are indicated by the letter “D” followed by a space and then by
the runway name(s). Note that the table also shows the “All Fours” configuration, which was
simulated to support the environmental modeling only and is not part of the operational
analysis. Other configurations were omitted, since none of the hundreds of observed
combinations accounts for more than a few percent of operations in a year.
The satellite airports, ISP, HPN and MMU, with their correspondingly lower traffic, do
not place different demands on the airspace according to their configuration, so a single
runway configuration was chosen for each.

Table 3-1. Runway Configurations

Airport Low Capacity High Capacity All Fours

Configuration Configuration

JFK A 31R,31L A 13L,22L A 04R,04L

D 31L,31R D 13R,13L D 04L,04R

LGA A 31 / D 04 A 22 / D 13 A 04 / D 31

ISP A 24 / D 24 A 24 / D 24 A 24 / D 24

MMU A 23 / D 23 A 23 / D 23 A 23 / D 23

EWR A 04R,11 A 22L,11 A 04R,11

D 04L,29 D 22R,29 D 04L,29

TEB A 06 / D 01 A 19 / D 24 A 01 / D 06

HPN A 34 / D 34 A 34 / D 34 A 34 / D 34

Airport East West

PHL A 09R,35 A 09R,35 A 27R,35

D 09L (35) D 09L (35) D 27L (35)

Note that for the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, EWR
handles dual arrivals on Runway 04L/04R and Runway 22R/22L.

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 In addition to the runway usage depicted in Table 3-1, there are additional constraints
applied to the runways based upon configuration and alternative. These constraints will be
discussed in the following subsections.

3.9.1 John F. Kennedy International Runway Usage

Figure 3-2 is a graphical depiction of the runway configurations analyzed for JFK.
13

13
L

L
22R 22R
13

22L

13
R

22L

R
31R

31R
L
31

L
31
4R 4R
4L
4L

Low Capacity Configuration High Capacity Configuration

Arrivals
Departures

Figure 3-2. JFK Runway Usage

3.9.1.1 JFK Departure Runway Headings

Table 3-2 lists the headings used for departures from JFK. Note that, in the high capacity
configuration case, jets and propeller-driven aircraft use different headings when departing
from Runway 13R/L.

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 Table 3-2. JFK Departure Runway Headings (Degrees)
JFK Runways
Gate 13s 31R 31L
new? no no no
North 110j/90p Not permitted CRI
Future No Action,
Modifications to Existing East 110j/90p Not permitted CRI
Airspace and Integrated WATRS 155/170 Not permitted CRI
Airspace Alternatives
South 185 Bzy Bzy
West Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted
new? no no no
North Not permitted
East Not permitted
Ocean Routing Alternative
WATRS Not permitted
South
West Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted
new? yes yes yes
North 100j/85p 90 165
Integrated Airspace with East 100j/85p 90 165
Integrated Control Complex
Alternative WATRS 130/150 Not permitted 185
South 180 Bzy Bzy
West 115 Not permitted Not permitted
A blank indicates no change from Future No Action Alternative
new? - ndicate whether the headings have changed from the Future No Action Alternative
j – indicates jet headings
p - indicates prop headings
Bzy – Breezy Point Climb (current procedure)
CRI – Carnarsie Climb (current procedure)
WATRS – West Atlantic Route System

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 3.9.1.2 Use of Runway 31L/R
In the low capacity configuration of the Future No Action Alternative, Runway 31L is
the only runway used for departures while arrivals may land on both Runways 31L and 31R.
The Modifications to Existing Airspace, Ocean Routing, and Integrated Airspace
Alternatives operate the same way as in the Future No Action Alternative. In these four
alternatives, in order to accommodate departures, jet arrivals may not land on 31L between
the hours of 1100 – 1359 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 2000 – 2300 GMT. Turboprops
may land on Runway 31L 20% of the time and Runway 31R 80% of the time. All departing
aircraft use Runway 31L. If an aircraft is approaching from the west or north and sequencing
delay is less than 5 minutes and the aircraft is not a heavy jet, then Runway 31L is used. If
an arrival aircraft is approaching from the east or south, then Runway 31R is used.
The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative operates a little
differently. For example, this alternative allows Jet Blue departures (A320s) to use
Runway 31R. Arrival aircraft approaching from the west or north may not land on
Runway 31L. Turboprops that are not departing to the south may use Runway 31R. Most
departures use Runway 31L. Arrival aircraft from the south use Runway 31L 10% of the
time and Runway 31R 90% of the time.

3.9.1.3 Use of Runway 13L/R and 22L

In the high capacity configuration of the Future No Action Alternative, Runway 13R is
used for departures and Runway 22L and 13L are used for arrivals. The Modifications to
Existing Airspace, Ocean Routing, and Integrated Airspace Alternatives operate the same
way as in the Future No Action Alternative. The departure waypoints are somewhat different
from the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex but the same basic runway
usage applies. Arrival aircraft from the south or west do not use Runway 22L; they instead
use Runway 13L. Aircraft departing to the north that are not turboprops use Runway 13R.
Aircraft arriving from the south use Runway 13L. International departures use Runway 13R.

3.9.2 LGA Runway Usage

The runway usage for LGA is shown in Table 3-1. In the low capacity configuration,
arrivals use Runway 31 and departures use Runway 04. In the high capacity configuration,
Runway 22 is used for arrivals while Runway 13 is used for departures. Figure 3-3 provides
a graphical depiction of the runway configurations analyzed for LGA.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 22

13

22

13
31
04

31
Arrivals
Departures 04

Figure 3-3. LGA Runway Usage

3.9.2.1 LaGuardia Departure Runway Headings

Table 3-3 shows the departure runway headings in degrees for LGA for each alternative.

Table 3-3. LGA Departure Runway Headings (Degrees)

LGA Runways
Gate 4 13
North 20 175
East 40 175
Future No Action,
WATRS 60 175
and Ocean Routing Alternative
South 360 175
West 360 175
North 20 175
Modifications to Existing East 40 175
Airspace and Integrated Airspace WATRS 60 175
Alternatives South 360 175
West 360 175
North 20 175
East 40 175
Integrated Airspace with
WATRS 60 175
Integrated Control Complex Plan
South 350 175
West 5 175

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3.9.3 Long Island MacArthur Runway Usage
Runway usage at ISP is depicted in Figure 3-4. Both arrivals and departures use
Runway 24. This configuration remains the same for both low and high capacity
configurations and for all alternatives.

24
15
R

15
L

Arrivals
Departures

28 R
33
10

L
33
6

Figure 3-4. ISP Runway Usage

3.9.4 Newark Liberty International and Satellites Runway Usage

3.9.4.1 Newark Liberty International Runway Usage

Figure 3-5 shows EWR’s runway usage for both the low capacity and high capacity
configurations. In the simulations for the Future No Action, Modifications to Existing
Airspace, Ocean Routing, and Integrated Airspace Alternatives; Runway 04R/22L and
04L/22R are the main arrival and departure runways, respectively. Arrival Runway 11 and
departure Runway 29 are used as overflow runways during the peak arrival and departure
hours, respectively, and are limited to light jets and propeller-driven aircraft. Runway 29 is
used from 1000 – 1600 GMT; Runway 11 is available for use during the remaining hours. To
more accurately represent their usage, Runway 11 was modeled with 15 miles in trail (MIT)
at the runway; Runway 29 has 10 MIT at the runway. For the low capacity configuration,
aircraft filing over one of the east-side departure fixes (GREKI, MERIT, BAYYS, and their
equivalents in the other alternatives) do not use Runway 29, since that would cause them to

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cross the other departure streams at altitude. Low capacity arrivals from the south (Yardley
[ARD], Robbinsville [RBV], and their equivalents in the other alternatives) do not use
Runway 11 since that would cause them to cross the arrival stream for 04R. In the high
capacity configuration, aircraft filing over the south-side departure fixes (DIXIE, WHITE,
and their equivalents in the other alternatives) do not use Runway 29 because they would
cross the Runway 22R departure paths.

Low Capacity Configuration High Capacity Configuration

Arrivals
Arrivals (Integrated Alternative Only)
Departures

Figure 3-5. EWR Runway Usage

For the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, the runways
are used in a similar manner with the addition that the main departure Runway 04L/22R also
supports limited arrivals when the main arrival runway is busy and the departure runway is
underutilized (1615-1815 GMT and 2359-0915 GMT). To ensure that Runway 04L/22R is
not over-utilized by TAAM, 04L/22R has 12 MIT at the runway for arrivals. Based on the
wake turbulence criteria between the dual arrival runways, Runway 04L/22R is not used by
wide body jets. The rules for Runways 29/11 apply as in the Future No Action Alternative
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except that for the low capacity configuration, Runway 11 is used by propeller-driven aircraft
and piston aircraft only.

3.9.4.1.1 Newark Liberty International Departure Runway Headings

Table 3-4 shows the departure runway headings in degrees for EWR for each alternative.

Table 3-4. EWR Departure Runway Headings (Degrees)

EWR Runways
Gate 4s** 11 22s 29
new? no no no no
North 60-290 190
Future No Action and East 60-330 190
Ocean Routing
Alternatives WATRS Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted
South 60-240 190
West 60-280 190
new? no no yes no
North 60-290 260* 300
Modifications to Existing East 60-330 260* 300
System Integrated
Airspace Alternative WATRS Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted
South 60-240 220 280
West 60-280 240 240
new? no no yes no
North 60-290 260* 300
Integrated Airspace with East 60-330 260* 300
Integrated Control
Complex Alternative WATRS 60-330 Not permitted 260* Not permitted
South 60-240 220 280
West 60-280 240 240
A blank indicates no change from Future No Action Alternative
new? - Indicates whether the headings have changed from the Future No Action Alternative
* - a 240 degree heading is used when Runway 11 is open for arrivals
** - “60-.”: common initial heading, then divergence
WATRS – West Atlantic Route System

For the low capacity configuration, the departure headings are similar among the
alternatives. In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative,

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transatlantic traffic from EWR will be permitted access to oceanic fixes that are currently
available only to JFK departures.

3.9.4.2 Teterboro Runway Usage

Figure 3-6 shows the runway usage for TEB airport. Runway usage is the same across
alternatives. In the low capacity configuration, Runway 6 is used for arrivals and Runway 1
is used for departures. In the high capacity configuration, Runway 19 is used for arrivals and
Runway 24 is used for departures.

Low Capacity High Capacity

Configuration Configuration

19 19
24 24
6

1 1

Arrivals
Departures

Figure 3-6. TEB Runway Usage

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 3.9.4.3 Morristown Municipal Runway Usage
Runway usage at MMU is the same for both the low and high capacity configurations as
shown in Figure 3-7. Runway 23 is used for both arrivals and departures.

Figure 3-7. MMU Runway Usage

3.9.5 Philadelphia International Airport Runway Usage

PHL is currently involved in a master planning process that may change its runway
layout completely in 2012. This is after the study years for this airspace redesign, so it is
important to bear in mind the potential for a completely different operation in the PHL
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approach control. For the purposes of this study, a minimal change to PHL runways is
assumed: a lengthened Runway 17/35 that permits expanded regional jet operations.
Figure 3-8 shows the runway usage for PHL. In all simulated alternatives, runway usage
is the same. In the west configuration, Runway 27R is used for arrivals and Runway 27L is
used for departures. In the east configuration, 09R is used for arrivals and Runway 09L is
used for departures. Runway 35 is used for arrivals and departures in either configuration.
Runway 35 is limited to propeller-driven aircraft, jets of regional-jet size or smaller and all
general aviation traffic. Aircraft filing over one of the south-side departure fixes (DITCH,
Woodstown [OOD], and their equivalents in the other alternatives) do not use Runway 35,
since that would cause them to cross the other departure streams at altitude. In the east
configuration, Tower En route Control (TEC)1 aircraft to NY via RBV do not use Runway
35 for the same reason.

Arrivals
Departures
West

East

Figure 3-8. PHL Runway Usage

In the west configuration, departures on the main runway (27L) are not affected by
operations on the transverse runway. The main arrival runway (27R) intersects the

1 As defined in the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), TEC is an air traffic control (ATC)
program to provide a service to aircraft proceeding to and from metropolitan areas. It links designated
Approach Control Areas by a network of identified routes made up of the existing airway structure of the
National Airspace System. Go to Para. 4-1-18 of http://www.faa.gov/ATpubs/AIM/ for more information
on this topic.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

transverse runway near the approach end. Arrivals to the main runway have priority over
departures from the transverse runway; priority of arrivals to the two runways is determined
by the approach control on a first-come, first-serve basis.
In the east configuration, arrivals to the main runway (09R) are independent of the other
runways, but departures intersect the transverse runway near the airborne end. The east
configuration is lower in capacity as a result. The interaction between traffic on the main
runway with Runway 35 traffic is the same as in the westbound case, except that the
contending traffic is a departure, so it is possible for the arrival to 35 to have priority.
No attempt was made to balance runway loading dynamically during the course of the
simulation because it makes the delay metric highly sensitive to tiny changes in route length.
In this case, the simulation does not permit the user to specify the (scheduled) arrival order in
a way that is consistent across the alternatives. Therefore a small change in route could lead
to large swings in delay among the alternatives that are not due to airspace changes,
obscuring the effects to be measured.

3.9.6 Westchester County Runway Usage

For all alternatives, both arrivals and departures use Runway 34. Figure 3-9 provides a
graphical depiction of the runway configuration analyzed for HPN.

16

29

11

34
Arrivals
Departures

Figure 3-9. HPN Runway Usage

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 3.9.6.1 Westchester County Departure Runway Headings
Table 3-5 shows the departure runway headings for HPN for each alternative.

Table 3-5. HPN Departure Runway Headings (Degrees)

Gate 4
North 295
East 295
Future No Action,
WATRS None
and Ocean Routing Alternative
South 295
West 295
North 295
Modifications to Existing East 295
Airspace and Integrated Airspace WATRS None
Alternatives South 295
West 295
North 295
East 295
Integrated Airspace with
WATRS None
Integrated Control Complex Plan
South 295
West 295
WATRS – West Atlantic Route System

3.10 Traffic Scenarios

Two levels of traffic demand were simulated for the operational analysis. Because the
impact of good airspace design is not as measurable when the traffic demand is low, the 90th
percentile day was simulated for the years 2006 and 2011. Annual-average days for those
years were simulated to support environmental modeling, but operational metrics were not
calculated at those traffic levels.
Traffic data for 2006 and 2011 was developed by Landrum and Brown and is based on
the demand forecast as described in the FAA New York Airspace Study: Forecast of Aviation
Activity.2 The number of flights for each airport for the 90th percentile day for the years 2006
and 2011 is shown in Table 3-6.

2 This paper forecasts traffic based on expected regional airport trends, airline yield, new aircraft , and other
factors such as the adaptation of air carriers in a new aviation economy.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 3-6. Arrival/Departure Traffic File Counts

Airport 2006 Arrivals 2006 Departures 2011 Arrivals 2011 Departures

JFK 624 616 684 671

LGA 646 668 646 668

ISP 87 88 100 103

MMU 55 57 61 65

EWR 782 793 813 821

PHL 889 875 968 954

TEB 393 401 448 452

HPN 119 121 126 129

3.10.1 Traffic Levels at LaGuardia (Forecast vs. Realistic)

The LGA 90th percentile traffic files for 2006 and 2011, based on expected regional
trends and other factors, contain levels of demand exceeding the capacity of the airport.
These traffic files did not take into account the constraints on the airport based the actual
runways in use. A simulation with such unreasonable demand will not produce meaningful
results, as flights due to arrive at night continue to arrive well into the next morning. In order
to produce a simulation with meaningful results, the traffic levels must be reduced to a size
that is consistent with the airport’s maximum theoretical capacity considering runway
configuration and usage, but no airspace constraints.
In order to accomplish this, flights were removed from the latter part of the day’s traffic.
Single leg arrivals after 2000 GMT and single leg departures after 2100 GMT were deleted
from each traffic file. All flights after 0300 GMT were removed from each traffic file. The
original 90th percentile traffic files each had 1,403 flights. Following the procedure
described above, 89 flights were removed from the end of the day’s demand to produce a
manageable traffic file of 1,314 flights. This procedure produced traffic levels that still
stressed the airport past the observed airport capacity, but it produced output metrics that
have a reasonable interpretation.
Figures 3-10 and 3-11 illustrate the original traffic demand, deleted flights, and resulting
modified demand for the 2006 and 2011 traffic files, respectively. Note that this reduction in
traffic levels was only necessary for LGA.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Original Demand
160
Deleted Arrivals
140
Deleted Departures
120
New Arrival Demand
Aircraft per hour

100
New Departure Demand
80
New Total Demand
60

40

20

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7
GMT Hour

Figure 3-10. LGA 2006 Traffic Modifications

Original Demand
160
Deleted Arrivals
140
Deleted Departures
120
New Arrival Demand
Aircraft per hour

100
New Departure Demand
80
New Total Demand
60

40

20

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7
GMT Hour

Figure 3-11. LGA 2011 Traffic Modifications

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

3.10.2 Approach to MIT Application for the Modeling of LaGuardia Traffic
Despite the reduced demand of the modified traffic file for LGA, the traffic levels
remained high enough to require the use of MIT to control traffic flows into the NY
TRACON. Due to airport specific requirements of LGA and the limitations of TAAM in
modeling those requirements, the conventional method for the placement and use of MIT
was ineffective. Consequently, the successful modeling of the traffic was achieved through
an alternate approach.
In order to develop an appropriate application of the necessary MIT for the LGA traffic,
it was decided that the separation should be built into the timing of the traffic file that was
used as input to the TAAM model. In other words, the required separation was identified
and each flight’s departure time adjusted accordingly. The first step in this process was to
determine the actual in-trail separation needed for each flow. Each traffic file for each
scenario was simulated without the use of the sequencing option in TAAM. This, in effect,
allowed the traffic to arrive unimpeded to the airport. From the output generated, the total
number of flights crossing each arrival fix was noted, as well as the time at which each flight
crossed its assigned fix (see Table 3-7.) From the total number of flights crossing each fix,
the percentage of total traffic represented on each flow was determined (total number of
flights crossing the arrival fix/total number of arrivals for the simulation). This percentage
was then multiplied by the hourly target rate for the airport, yielding the number of arriving
flights per hour that each flow should contribute. Once the breakdown of the hourly target
arrival rate was obtained for each flow, the actual metering, in minutes of separation, to be
applied was determined by dividing the hourly target arrival rate for each flow into 60
minutes. Any traffic flow that contributed only a small portion to the overall total was
assigned a separation of 1.0 minute.

Table 3-7. Example Metering Calculations

Min.Sep.
# of Flights % of Total % of Target (60/(% of
Fix Crosing the Fix Traffic Arrival Rate Arrival Rate))
Fix 1 43 7% 2.33 1.0
Fix 2 138 21% 7.49 8.0
Fix 3 303 47% 16.44 3.6
Fix 4 161 25% 8.74 6.9

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 3-8 shows the results of the above process: the in-trail separation applied to each
configuration of each alternative. The Future No Action, Modifications to Existing Airspace,
Ocean Routing and Integrated Airspace Alternatives share the same arrival routes and city-
pair assignments. Consequently, the same in-trail separation values were applied in each
respective configuration and traffic level. In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative, the East and North flows were combined, as were the West and South
flows, resulting in the need for only two time-based metering measurements for each
configuration.

Table 3-8. LGA Time-Based Metering

2006 2011 2011

Future No Future No Integrated Airspace

Action/Modifications Action/Modifications to with Integrated
to Existing Existing Control Complex
Airspace/Integrated Airspace/Integrated
Airspace/Ocean Airspace/Ocean Routing
Routing

Flow High Low High Low High Low

Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity Capacity

East 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

West 6.7 7.8 6.8 8.0

South 3.1 3.7 3.1 3.6 2.7 3.1

North 6.0 7.0 5.9 6.9 3.2 3.8

Once the appropriate metering for each flow had been identified, the departure time of
each flight was adjusted accordingly by working backwards from the time each flight crossed
its assigned arrival fix. The result was such that the flights on each arrival flow would then
contain the correct separation in their flight plan.

3.10.3 Newark Liberty International MIT

EWR’s traffic levels remained high enough to require the use of Minutes In Trail
(MINIT) to control traffic flows into the NY TRACON as shown in Table 3-9 for both the
low and high capacity configurations. The values were determined based on the percentage
of aircraft arriving via each flow. A static setting for the whole simulation period was
sufficient to regulate traffic while maintaining pressure on the airport and avoiding
unnecessary delays.
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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 3-9. EWR MINIT

Flow All Alternatives

West 3.6 min

South 3.2 min

North 5.5 min

3.11 Airport Throughput Validation

Over a volume the size of the NY/NJ/PHL study area, airspace is not always the most
important constraint on operations. Airport and runway capacity are frequently the
constraining resource. Therefore, the simulation must begin with validated airport models.
From the output of these models, a target maximum throughput was extracted. The
throughput target represents the best performance of the airport if airspace did not interfere
with operations. This section describes the validation of the airport models in terms of
throughput.3
Airports in this study fall into three types: capacity-constrained airports with CATER
data available, capacity-constrained airports with CATER data not available, and airports
that are not capacity-constrained.
For the biggest airports in New York City, throughput was validated against CATER
collected by the Port Authority in 2000. The simulated days in 2006 and 2011 to be used in
this study are artificial, but it was possible to find a day among the 366 in the CATER
database that was in many respects similar to the annual-average traffic in 2006. The best
matching traffic day was used to compile hourly traffic at JFK, LGA, and EWR. The models
were tuned so that comparable performance was seen.
PHL is the entirety of the second type. CATER data is not available for PHL because the
Philadelphia Department of Aviation uses different practices from the Port Authority’s. At
PHL, the throughput was validated against a ground simulation previously developed4 at
CAASD.

3 Delay was not useful for validation, since delay is a convolution of dozens of factors, most of which will
not obtain in the same way in 2011.

4 Canales, R., et al., July 2003, Noise and Operational Analysis of Dual Modena Departures from
Philadelphia International Airport, The MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The third type of airports are those that are not capacity-constrained. That is, forecast
traffic is not sufficient to congest the runways at the airport for long periods. TEB is the
largest of these airports, and is compared to CATER data. MMU, HPN, and ISP are also in
this class; the predominance of VFR traffic makes it impossible to validate throughput at
these airports against existing databases. Target throughputs for these airports were taken
from currently declared arrival and departure acceptance rates.5

3.11.1 CATER Data for Capacity-Constrained Airports

Each of the following subsections contains two parts. In the first, the airport throughput
as simulated for the median day in 2006 is compared to two days of recorded data from
CATER. The chosen days are not the same for each airport; we have chosen two days for
which (a) the airport was in the correct configuration all day and (b) the total operations
count was close to the forecast traffic level.
In the second part, the forecast demand is compared to the simulated throughput. In
those cases where the simulated throughput differs from the historical record, it is caused by
large changes in the forecast demand. In these cases, the airport simulation is validated by
ensuring that its response to the new demand patterns matches the historically-derived target
throughput.

3.11.1.1 John F. Kennedy

Demand at JFK in 2000 was concentrated in the afternoon (around 2000 GMT) for
arrivals, and early evening (around 2300 GMT) for departures. There is a peak of departures
almost as intense in the morning. No single airline dominated the recorded data, so large
variations in demand occurred from day to day. In the future, as Jet Blue is expected to
expand its operation, demand will look more like the familiar pattern of repeated banks of
arrivals followed by banks of departures. The simulated data show this pattern, where the
historical data do not.
Some extreme peaks of performance are visible in the historical data. JFK frequently
lands or departs more than its declared arrival rate, when particular coincidences of
conditions occur. They can not be assumed in advance, and they do not last long. Where the
CATER data showed traffic significantly in excess of the declared rates, the simulation was
tuned to the declared rate, since 90th percentile demand in 2011 will require the airport to
sustain its target capacity for several hours at a stretch.
Figures 3-12 through 3-15 show a comparison between the airport throughput as
simulated for the median day in 2006 to two days of recorded data from CATER.

5 Aviation System Performance Metrics Database, http://www.apo.data.faa.gov/faamatsall.HTM .

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 60
CATER
50
Target

Aircraft per hour

40 Simulated

30

20

10

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-12. CATER vs. Simulated JFK Arrival Throughput, Low Configuration

60
CATER
50
Target
Aircraft per hour

40 Simulated

30

20

10

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-13. CATER vs. Simulated JFK Departure Throughput, Low

Configuration

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 60
CATER
50 Target

Aircraft per hour

40 Simulated

30

20

10

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-14. CATER vs. Simulated JFK Arrival Throughput, High Configuration

60

50 CATER
Aircraft per hour

40 Target
Simulated
30

20

10

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-15. CATER vs. Simulated JFK Departure Throughput, High

Configuration
Figures 3-16 and 3-18 show a comparison between the hourly arrival demand in the 2006
and 2011 traffic forecasts, the actual throughput observed in the TAAM model, and the target
arrival throughput. Figures 3-17 and 3-19 shows a comparison between the hourly departure
demand as provide in the 2006 and 2011 JFK traffic files, the actual throughput observed in
the TAAM model, and the target departure throughput. Note that the terms “Low” and
“High” at JFK refer to departure capacity. Arrival capacity is actually higher in Low
configuration.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Arrival Demand
No Action - Low Configuration
No Action - High Configuration
70

Aircraft per hour

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-16. Future No Action 2006 Arrival JFK Throughput

Departure Demand
No Action - Low Configuration
No Action - High Configuration

70
Aircraft per hour

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-17. Future No Action 2006 Departure JFK Throughput

Arrival Demand
No Action - Low Configuration
70 No Action - High Configuration
60
Aircraft per hour

50
40
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-18. Future No Action 2011 Arrival JFK Throughput

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Departure Demand
No Action - Low Configuration
No Action - High Configuration
70
60

Aircraft per hour

50
40
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-19. Future No Action 2011 Departure JFK Throughput

3.11.1.2 LaGuardia
Operations at LGA in 2000 changed dramatically from month to month. For the first part
of the year, demand on the airport was regulated by the High Density Rule, as it had been
since 1969. The High Density Rule was abolished by act of Congress in July, and demand
immediately increased by 30%.6. Extraordinary delays resulted, so a form of slot-control by
lottery was reinstated. The importance of those events for this work is that almost any
desired level of demand on LGA can be found in the CATER data from 2000. Figures 3-20
through 3-23 show there is excellent agreement between simulated and observed traffic.

45
40
35
Aircraft per hour

30
25
20
15 CATER
10 Target
5 Simulated
0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-20. CATER vs. Simulated LGA Arrival Throughput, Low Configuration

6 J. Hoffman, Demand Dependence of Throughput and Delay at New York LaGuardia Airport, McLean, VA,
The MITRE Corporation, April 2001

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 45
40
35

Aircraft per hour

30
25
20
15 CATER
10 Target
5 Simulated
0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-21. CATER vs. Simulated LGA Departure Throughput, Low

Configuration

45
40
35
Aircraft per hour

30
25
20
15 CATER
10 Target
5 Simulated
0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-22. CATER vs. Simulated LGA Arrival Throughput, High Configuration

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 45
40
35

Aircraft per hour

30
25
20
15 CATER
10 Target
5 Simulated
0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-23. CATER vs. Simulated LGA Departure Throughput, High

Configuration
Figures 3-24 through 3-27 show a comparison between the hourly total demand in the
2006 and 2011 traffic forecasts, the actual arrival/departure/total throughput observed in the
TAAM model and the target throughput for each of the simulated traffic scenarios.
For most of the day, LGA operates with a “one-in-one-out” traffic flow. That is, between
any two arrivals there is a departure and vice versa. This results in an equal number of
arrivals and departures for any given hour of traffic, as well as preventing arrival or departure
banks from forming. As LGA operates at full capacity throughout the day, the target
throughput remains static at the level of runway capacity.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 120 Demand
Arrival
Departure
100 Total
Aircraft per hour Target
80

60

40

20

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4
GMT Hour

Figure 3-24. Future No Action 2006 LGA Low Capacity Configuration Throughput

120 Demand
Arrival
Departure
100 Total
Target
80
Aircraft per hour

60

40

20

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4
GMT Hour

Figure 3-25. Future No Action 2006 LGA High Capacity Configuration

Throughput

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 120 Demand
Arrival
Departure
100 Total
Target
Aircraft per hour
80

60

40

20

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4
GMT Hour

Figure 3-26. Future No Action 2011 LGA Low Capacity Configuration Throughput

120 Demand
Arrival
Departure
100 Total
Target
Aircraft per hour

80

60

40

20

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4
GMT Hour

Figure 3-27. Future No Action 2011 LGA High Capacity Configuration

Throughput

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 3.11.1.3 Newark Liberty International
Validation at EWR was done slightly differently. The overflow Runway 11/29 will be
used differently from operations in 2000 (see Appendix B). Therefore, validation focused on
the main runways only. Figures 3-28 through 3-31 compare single-runway throughputs, not
full-airport throughputs.

45
40
35
Aircraft per hour

30
25
20
15 CATER

10 Target
5 Simulated
0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-28. CATER vs. Simulated EWR 04R Arrival Throughput, Low
Configuration

50
45
40
Aircraft per hour

35
30
25
20
15 CATER
10 Target
5 Simulated
0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-29. CATER vs. Simulated EWR 04L Departure Throughput, Low
Configuration

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 60

50

Aircraft per hour

40

30

20 CATER
Target
10
Simulated
0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-30. CATER vs. Simulated EWR 22L Arrival Throughput, Low
Configuration

50
45
40
Aircraft per hour

35
30
25
20
CATER
15
Target
10
5 Simulated
0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4 7

GMT Hour

Figure 3-31. CATER vs. Simulated EWR 22R Departure Throughput, Low
Configuration
Figures 3-32 and 3-34 show a comparison between the hourly arrival demand in the 2006
and 2011 traffic forecasts, the actual throughput observed in the TAAM model, and the target
arrival throughput as obtained from CATER data for both the low capacity and high
capacity configurations. Figures 3-33 and 3-35 show a comparison between the hourly
departure demand in the 2006 and 2011 traffic forecasts, the actual throughput observed in
the TAAM model, and the target departure throughput as obtained from CATER data for
both the low capacity and high capacity configurations. The single-runway throughput
targets are the lower plateau of the throughput targets in the figures; the higher plateau
indicates use of the overflow runway in response to demand.
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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Arrival
70 Demand
Low Capacity
60

Aircraft per hour

50 High Capacity

40 Target Arrival
Throughput
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12
GMT Hour

Figure 3-32. Future No Action 2006 Arrival EWR Throughput

Departure
70 Demand

60 Low Capacity
Aircraft per hour

50
High Capacity
40
30 Target Dep
Throughput
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12
GMT Hour

Figure 3-33. Future No Action 2006 Departure EWR Throughput

3-34

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Arrival
70 Demand
Low Capacity
60

Aircraft per hour

50 High Capacity

40 Target Arrival
Throughput
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12
GMT Hour

Figure 3-34. Future No Action 2011 Arrival EWR Throughput

Departure
70 Demand
Low Capacity
60
Aircraft per hour

50 High Capacity
40
Target Dep
30 Throughput
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9 12
GMT Hour

Figure 3-35. Future No Action 2011 Departure EWR Throughput

During the peak hours, the throughput closely aligns to the target throughput.
Runway 11/29 only changes its operations once during the day. Runway 29 is available
for departures between the hours of 1000 to 1600 GMT and Runway 11 is available for
arrivals for the remaining hours. Given these demand levels, total delay would increase
significantly if Runway 29 was opened again for departures to meet the demand peaks in the
1900 and 2100 hours, so the overflow runway was used for arrivals instead.
Based on the Runway 11/29 operation, the target arrival throughput increases from 40 to
44 during the day and reflects the additional arrivals supported on Runway 11 in the

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

afternoon. The target departure throughput decreases from 54 to 44 during the day and
reflects the decreased departures as a result of closing Runway 29 in the afternoon.

3.11.2 Capacity-Constrained Airports Without CATER Data

3.11.2.1 Philadelphia International

Throughput at PHL was validated differently from throughput in NY, since CATER data
are not available. Studies conducted in the past,7 validated with the tower and with the
principal carrier, gave target arrival throughputs for the main runway of 44 per hour in east
configuration and 47 per hour in west configuration. An additional 13-15 arrivals on the
(improved) transverse runway yield a total throughput of between 57 and 62 per hour. Six
MIT are used for arrivals to the transverse runway, to avoid decreasing throughput on the
parallels.
Figures 3-36 and 3-38 show the relation of simulated arrival throughput to demand and
the desired throughput for 2006 and 2011. The demand contains very high peaks that the
simulation correctly smoothes out to the desired throughput.

Target Range
80
Arrival Demand
70 East
Aircraft per hour

60 West
50
40
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6
GMT Hour

Figure 3-36. Future No Action 2006 Arrival PHL Throughput

7 Canales, R., et al., July 2003, Noise and Operational Analysis of Dual Modena Departures from
Philadelphia International, The MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 90 Target Range
80 Departure Demand
70 East

Aircraft per hour

West
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6
GMT Hour

Figure 3-37. Future No Action 2006 Departure PHL Throughput

Target Range
90
80 Arrival Demand
East
70
Aircraft per hour

West
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6
GMT Hour

Figure 3-38. Future No Action 2011 Arrival PHL Throughput

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Target Range
90
80 Departure Demand
East
70 West

Aircraft per hour

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6
GMT Hour

Figure 3-39. Future No Action 2011 Departure PHL Throughput

Figures 3-37 and Figure 3-39 show the relation of simulated departure throughput to
demand and the desired throughput for 2006 and 2011. Departures from the main runway in
east flow are set to be 40 per hour in east configuration, 45 in west configuration. Fifteen
departures were permitted on the transverse runway, for a total of from 55 to 60 departures
per hour.

3.11.3 Airports Not Constrained by Capacity

3.11.3.1 Long Island MacArthur

Figures 3-41 and 3-43 shows a comparison between the hourly departure demand in the
2006 and 2011 traffic forecasts, the actual throughput observed in the TAAM model, and the
target arrival throughput. Figures 3-40 and 3-42 show a comparison between the hourly
arrival demand as provided in the 2006 and 2011 ISP traffic file, the actual throughput
observed in the TAAM model, and the target departure throughput. Note that the low and
high capacity configurations are the same at ISP.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Arrival Demand
Future No Action Plan - Low Configuration
Future No Action Plan - High Configuration
12
10

Aircraft per hour

8
6
4
2

0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3
GMT Hour

Figure 3-40. Future No Action 2006 Arrival ISP Throughput

Departure Demand
Future No Action Plan - Low Configuration
Future No Action Plan - High Configuration
14
12
Aircraft per hour

10
8
6
4
2
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3
GMT Hour

Figure 3-41. Future No Action 2006 Departure ISP Throughput

Arrival Demand
Future No Action Plan - Low Configuration
Future No Action Plan - High Configuration
12

10
Aircraft per hour

0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3
GMT Hour

Figure 3-42. Future No Action 2011 Arrival ISP Throughput

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Departure Demand
Future No Action Plan - Low Configuration
Future No Action Plan - High Configuration
14
12

Aircraft per hour

10
8
6
4
2
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3
GMT Hour

Figure 3-43. Future No Action 2011 Departure ISP Throughput

3.11.3.2 Newark Satellites (TEB and MMU)

Figures 3-44 and 3-46 show a comparison between the hourly arrival demand in the 2006
and 2011 TEB traffic forecast, the throughput observed in the TAAM model, and the target
arrival throughput as obtained from CATER data. Figures 3-45 and 3-47 show a comparison
between the hourly departure demand as provided in the 2006 and 2011 TEB traffic files, the
throughput observed in the TAAM model, and the target departure throughput as obtained
from CATER data. During the peak hours, the throughput closely aligns to the target
throughput.

Arrival Demand

50 Low Cap Arr

Future No Action
Aircraft per hour

40 High Cap Arr

Future No Action
30
Target Arr
20 Throughput

10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-44. Future No Action 2006 Arrival TEB Throughput

3-40

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Departure Demand

Low Cap Dep Future

40
No Action
35 High Cap Dep Future

Aircraft per hour

30 No Action
25 Target Dep
Throughput
20
15
10
5
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-45. Future No Action 2006 Departure TEB Throughput

Arrival
60 Demand
Low Capacity
50
Aircraft per hour

40 High
Capacity
30
Target Arr
20 Throughput

10
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-46. Future No Action 2011 Arrival ISP Throughput

3-41

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Departure
40 Demand
Low Capacity
35

Aircraft per hour

30 High Capacity
25
20 Target Dep
15 Throughput
10
5
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-47. Future No Action 2011 Departure ISP Throughput

Figure 3-48 shows a comparison between the hourly arrival demand as provided in the
2006 MMU traffic file and the actual throughput observed in the TAAM model. Figure 3-49
shows a comparison between the hourly departure demand as provided in the 2006 MMU
traffic file and the actual throughput observed in the TAAM model. Overall, the throughput
closely aligns to the demand.

Arrival Demand
7
Future No Action
6
Aircraft per hour

5
4
3
2
1
0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-48. Future No Action 2006 Arrival MMU Throughput

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Departure Demand

12 Future No Action
10

Aircraft per hour

8

0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 3-49. Future No Action 2006 Departure MMU Throughput

3.11.3.3 Westchester County

Figures 3-50 and 3-51 show a comparison between the hourly total demand in the 2006
and 2011 traffic forecast and the actual arrival/departure/total throughput observed in the
TAAM model. The capacity of the airport was determined by calculating the number of
flights a single runway could handle when operating with a mix of departure and arrival
traffic. It is important to note the forecast traffic at HPN does not include flights operating
under VFR. The IFR traffic levels never approach the calculated capacity of the single
runway.

70 Demand
Arr
60 Dep
Total
Capacity
50
Aircraft p er h o u r

40

30

20

10

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 5
GMT Hour

Figure 3-50. Future No Action 2006 Arrival HPN Throughput

3-43

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 70 Demand
Arr
60 Dep
Total
Capacity
50

A ircraft p er h o u r
40

30

20

10

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 5
GMT Hour

Figure 3-51. Future No Action 2006 Departure HPN Throughput

3-44

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Section 4
Future No Action Alternative

4.1 Design Overview

Under the Future No Action Alternative, the airspace operates as it did during 2002, with
a few improvements included that are independent of the large-scale airspace redesign
proposals. These improvements are anticipated to be in place before the final NY redesign is
completed.
Most important of these improvements is the split of the western departures from PHL
into two streams. As of the base year (2000), all traffic was routed over the MXE. A
separate stream was established in 2003 for traffic headed to the inland south and southwest
(Atlanta and Charlotte, for example) along jet airways J48 and J75. Now that this is in place,
the capacity of the junction between PHL and the en route airspace to the west has been
effectively doubled.
Other improvements involve replacing current standard terminal arrival routes and
departure procedures with FMS and RNAV overlays. Replacements like these are currently
happening across the country, with the aim of reducing navigation workload for pilots and
controllers.
Detailed operational TAAM modeling of this alternative was conducted for the highest-
traffic subset of the airports (JFK, LGA, ISP, HPN, EWR, PHL, TEB and MMU) to be
studied in the EIS. As part of the model development, the departure and arrival routes were
derived from flight plan and flight track information from ETMS and validated with the
redesign team. The terminal arrival and departure procedures were derived from ARTS data
trajectories, 2002 Jeppesen approach plates, and controller input.
Based on the destination airport, the modeled departures typically use the same jet route
and departure fix. The departure jet route and departure fix usage modeled in TAAM is
described in Section 4.2. The specific en route and terminal arrival and departure profiles
modeled in TAAM are described in Section 4.3.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

4.2 Airspace
This section describes the modeled departure routes from the NY metro and PHL airports
in the Future No Action Alternative. As described in Section 2.3.6, it is common that
different departure fixes and jet routes are used for the same destination depending on time
of the year, wind, weather, and congestion on specific jet routes. In this analysis, however,
the departure fix and jet route that were observed to be most commonly taken are used with
some adjustment to accommodate route variation.
Figure 4-1 illustrates NY metro and PHL departure routes. In the Future No Action
Alternative, NY metro departures are grouped into five directions: North (via GAYEL,
NEION, and COATE), west (via ELIOT, PARKE, LANNA, BIGGY, and RBV), south (via
WHITE and WAVEY), east (via BAYYS, MERIT, and GREKI) and oceanic routes (SHIPP,
HAPIE, and BETTE). Departure fixes used only by turboprop departures are not discussed
in detail. South departures from NY metro airports have an option to use the off-shore radar
route when there is a severe weather to avoid, but it was not included because the analysis
assumed VMC. PHL departures are grouped into four directions by departure fix: Pottstown
(PTW), Modena (MXE) and STOEN, Woodstown (OOD), and DITCH. Table 4-1 contains a
list of the jet route and departure fix assignments based on the destination airport.

J95 NY/NJ Departures

JFK & Sat. West Departures
PHL Departures
J223
J36

GREKI
GAYEL MERIT
J60 PHL-N NEION BAYYS
To Europe
COATE
ELIOT
PARKE PHL-E2 PHL-E1
J64 LANNA
BIGGY BETTE/HAPIE
RBV
PTW WAVEY SHIPP
MXE DITCH WHITE
J80 STOEN
OOD
J6 To Europe,
Bermuda,
J75 Caribbean
J48

To Florida,
Caribbean
To J79 To J209

Figure 4-1. Future No Action Departure Routes

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 4-1. NY Metro Departure Fix, Assigned Jet Route and Typical Destinations

Dep Dep Fix Origin Destination

Route
North J95 GAYEL NY Metro Central Canada, Detroit Metro Wayne County
(*) (DTW), Los Angeles International (LAX),
Minneapolis Saint Paul International (MSP), San
Francisco International (SFO), Salt Lake City
International (SLC), Northern Asia
J223 NEION NY Metro Greater Buffalo International (BUF), Cleveland
Hopkins International (CLE), DTW, Oakland
County International (PTK), Greater Rochester
International (ROC), Syracuse Hancock
International (SYR)
J36 COATE NY Metro Kent County International (GRR), General
Mitchell International (MKE), ORD, Pittsburgh
International (PIT), SFO, SL
PHL-N PTW PHL SYR, ROC, Elmira/Corning Regional (ELM),
Tompkins County (ITH), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
International (AVP)
West J60 ELIOT/RBV NY Metro CLE, Denver International (DEN), McCarran
(**) International (LAS), Chicago-Midway (MDW),
Eppley (OMA)
J60 PTW PHL CLE, Denver International (DEN), McCarran
International (LAS), Chicago-Midway (MDW),
Eppley (OMA)
J64 RBV/ELIOT NY Metro Findlay (FDY), Fort Wayne International
PTW PHL (FWA)

J80 ELIOT NY Metro Albuquerque International (ABQ), Port

MXE PHL Columbus International (CMH) , James M. Cox
Dayton International (DAY), Indianapolis
International (IND), LAX, Kansas City
International (MCI), PHL, PIT, San Diego
International (SAN), Lambert-Saint Louis
International (STL)
J6 PARKE/RBV NY Metro DFW, Memphis International (MEM), San
MXE PHL Antonio International (SAT), Tulsa International
(TUL), Dallas Love (DAL), Cincinnati/Northern
Kentucky International (CVG)
J48 LANNA/RBV NY Metro Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL),
STOEN PHL Birmingham International (BHM), Houston
Intercontinental (IAH), New Orleans
International (MSY), Dekalb-Peachtree (PDK)

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 4-1. NY Metro Departure Fix, Assigned Jet Route and Typical Destinations
(concluded)
Dep Dep Fix Origin Destination
Route
West J75 BIGGY/RBV NY Metro Bush Field (AGS), Charlotte/Douglas
(**) STOEN PHL International (CLT), Piedmont Triad
International (GSO), Tampa International
(TPA), Central Mexico
South J209 WHITE/WAVEY NY Metro Florida over water, Eastern Mexico, South
(***) OOD PHL America

J79 WHITE/WAVEY NY Metro Florida over land, Jacksonville ARTCC (ZJX),

OOD PHL Atlanta ARTCC (ZTL)

East E-3 BAYYS NY Metro Theodore Francis Green State (PVD),

Barnstable Municipal-Boardman/Polando Field
(HYA), Nantucket (ACK)
E-2 MERIT NY Metro Boston Logan International (BOS), Bangor
International (BGR), Pease International
Tradeport (PSM), North Atlantic
E-1 GREKI NY Metro Ottawa/MacDonald-Cartier International
(CYOW), Montreal International (CYUL),
Burlington International (BTV), Manchester
(MHT), Portland International (PWM)
PHL-E1 DITCH PHL North Atlantic, BGR, Lebanon Municipal
(LEB), PWM
PHL-E2 DITCH PHL CYOW, CYUL, BOS, MHT, ALB (Albany),
BTV
Oceanic E-6,E-7 SHIPP NY Metro Europe, Caribbean, South America
(****) OOD PHL
E-4 BETTE NY Metro North Atlantic
E-5 HAPIE NY Metro North Atlantic
DITCH PHL North Atlantic
(*) NEION departures frequently merge with J95 in ZNY airspace.
(**) JFK and ISP departures are via RBV.
(***) JFK departures are via WAVEY. JFK satellite departures merge with JFK departures south of WAVEY. Other
NY metro departures are via WHITE.
(****) HAPIE is used when the warning area is accessible.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Departure routes are described in detail below.

4.2.1 North Departures from NY Metro Airports

North departures from NY metro airports are served by three fixes: GAYEL, NEION,
and COATE. GAYEL serves J95 and COATE serves J36. NEION serves J223 for flights
destined to the airports in northwest ZNY and to DTW.

4.2.2 North Departures from PHL

Flights from PHL to ZNY internal destinations, the Great Lakes, and points north are
routed via PTW to the destination.

4.2.3 West Departures from NY Metro Airports and PHL

Figure 4-2 illustrates in more detail the west departures in the Future No Action
Alternative.

Figure 4-2. Future No Action West Departures

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Five departure fixes serve NY metro departures to the west: RBV for JFK and ISP, and
ELIOT, PARKE, LANNA, and BIGGY for other NY metro departures. ELIOT serves J60,
J64, and J80. PHL west departures are via PTW (for J60 and J64), MXE (for J80 and J6),
and STOEN (for J48 and J75). Description of departures for each west jet route follows:
• J60 departures from EWR, LGA, and their satellites take ELIOT and merge with
departures from JFK, ISP, and their satellites (which travel via RBV) at ETX. PHL
departures (which travel via PTW, SUZIE, and Ravine (RAV)) merge with NY metro
departures at Philipsburg (PSB).
• J64 departures from JFK, ISP, and their satellites take RBV and merge with other NY
metro departures, which come via ELIOT, at SUZIE. PHL departures travel via PTW
and also merge with this traffic at SUZIE.
• J80 departures from JFK, ISP, and their satellites take RBV and merge with other NY
metro departures, which come via ELIOT at LARRI. PHL departures take MXE and
merge with NY metro departures at KIPPI.
• J6 departures from EWR, LGA and their satellites take PARKE, merge with
departures from JFK, ISP, and their satellites (which come via RBV) at northeast of
FLIRT. This traffic merges with PHL departures coming via MXE at FLIRT.
• J48 Departures from EWR, LGA and their satellites take LANNA, merge with
departures from JFK, ISP, and their satellites (which come via RBV) at BYRDD,
and merge with PHL departures via STOEN at EMI.
• J75 Departures from EWR, LGA and their satellites take BIGGY, merge with
departures from JFK, ISP, and their satellites (which come via RBV) at COPES, and
merge with PHL departures coming via STOEN at SACRI. NY metro departures to
Reagan Washington National (DCA) and Baltimore Washington International (BWI)
are among the J75 departures via BIGGY. They diverge from J75 at MXE.

4.2.4 South Departures from NY Metro Airports and PHL

Figure 4-3 provides a closer view of the south departures from NY metro airports and
PHL.
South departures from all NY metro airports except for JFK and ISP take WHITE. At
Salisbury (SBY), flights using the over the land route (J79) turn southwest and continue via
KATZN, WEAVR, and ISO. Those using the over water route (J209) continue south via
SAWED, ORF, and DIW. South departures from JFK and satellite take WAVEY to
SAWED where they merge with other NY metro departures coming via WHITE and
continue to ORF. At ORF, flights using the over water route continue on J209 and flights
over land turns inland merging with other NY metro departures from WHITE at WEAVR.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 PHL departures to the south merge with NY metro departures from WHITE at SBY. At
SBY, flights using the over water route (J209) continue via SAWED, Norfolk (ORF), and
Dixon (DIW). Flights using the over land route (J79) turns inland and continue via KATZN,
WEAVR, and Kinston (ISO).

Figure 4-3. South Departures from NY Metro Airports and PHL

4.2.5 East Departures from NY Metro Airports and PHL

Three fixes serve NY metro departures to the east: GREKI, MERIT, and BAYYS.
GREKI serves destination airports in northern ZBW. MERIT serves North Atlantic
departures and northeastern New England. BAYYS mainly serves destination airports south
of BOS.
DITCH serves PHL departures to ZBW and to the North Atlantic. PHL flights destined
for central and northern ZBW (including CYOW, CYUL, BDL, BED, BOS, and MHT) and
Northern Europe (including Heathrow (EGLL) and Schiphol (EHAM)) are routed from
DITCH to the JFK navigational aid (NAVAID). PHL flights destined to other parts of
Europe and eastern ZBW (including BGR, Tri-Cities Regional (BON), LEB, and New Haven
(HVN)) are routed from DITCH to Coyle (CYN) and then to the east.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

4.2.6 Oceanic Departures from NY Metro Airports
Three fixes are available for oceanic departures from NY metro airports: SHIPP,
HAPIE, and BETTE:
• SHIPP is used for Caribbean and South American destinations.
• BETTE and HAPIE are used for Central and Southern European and African
destinations.
• HAPIE is available only when the warning area is accessible.
PHL departures destined to North Atlantic Routes are routed to the east from DITCH,
and are turned northeast at a point south of WAVEY.

4.3 Airports
The subsections below describe the en route arrival/departure profiles and the terminal
arrival/departure profiles for the Future No Action Alternative for JFK, LGA, ISP, EWR,
EWR satellites (TEB and MMU), PHL, and HPN. In each subsection, there is an overall
description of en route arrival/departure profiles and an enhanced view of the modeled
terminal arrival/departure procedures. In the supporting figures, altitudes below 18,000 feet
are shown in hundreds of feet (e.g., 8000 is shown as 80), and altitudes above 18,000 feet are
given in Flight Levels (FLs) (e.g., 19,000 feet is shown as FL190).

4.3.1 John F. Kennedy International

This subsection describes the JFK en route and terminal profiles as modeled in TAAM
for the Future No Action Alternative.

4.3.1.1 John F. Kennedy En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

JFK runs with four basic arrival routes into the airport as shown in Figure 4-4. Arrivals from
the west fly over LENDY. Arrivals from the north and some from the west use IGN.
European arrivals use ROBER. Arrivals from the south use CAMRN. ZIGGI is used as a
turboprop arrival route from the south. The busiest arrival traffic flow goes over the LENDY
fix. This fix is comprised of the westbound arrivals which then must be merged with the IGN
arrivals.

4-8

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HUO IGN
CMK MAD
LEN BDR
DY
ZBW CCC
BWZ LGA DPK
ROBER
JFK
SBJ

COL
ARD
RBV
G
I ZNY
ZDC
G
RN
ZI
M
CA

OOD

Figure 4-4. Future No Action JFK Arrivals

Figure 4-5 shows the regions that use each arrival fix at JFK. Arrivals from Europe come
from the northeast corner via ROBER, arrivals from Canada and the Pacific Rim come from
the north via IGN, arrivals from South America and the Caribbean come in via CAMRN, and
arrivals from the west coast use LENDY.

Figure 4-5. Origins of Traffic to Each JFK Arrival Fix

4-9

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Due to the complexity of the airspace numerous altitude restrictions are imposed on the
arrivals into JFK. The restrictions are shown in Figure 4-6. Altitudes are shown in hundreds
of feet (e.g., 80 is 8,000 feet) and Flight Levels. JFK arrivals from the north and west stay
high to make room for westbound departures from the surrounding airports which run
underneath. This allows westbound departures from the surrounding airports to climb higher
and get out of the way faster.

FL240
FL230 ZBW
DOORE
LENDY
CCC
FL190

ROBER
90

ZIGGI CAMRN ZNY

80
ZDC
110

Figure 4-6. Future No Action JFK Arrivals Altitudes

The departure profiles and associated altitude gates for JFK are shown in Figure 4-7. In the
low capacity configuration, the aircraft are not permitted to climb above 17,000 feet (shown
as 170 in the figure) after reaching the departure gates. The high capacity configuration
allows aircraft to climb to FL200 (or FL200 as shown in the figure) after reaching the
departure gates. In both configurations, westbound departures out of JFK are almost
exclusively served by the Robbinsville (RBV) departure fix.

4-10

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 4-7. Future No Action JFK Departures

4.3.1.2 John F. Kennedy Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 4-8 presents a close-up view of the arrivals and departures for JFK in the low
capacity configuration. In this configuration, flights depart and arrive on Runways 31L and
31R. In addition, the majority of the departures must loop around the airport before heading
out to their departure fixes. This occurs to make room for LGA arrivals and departures.
Figure 4-9 presents a close-up view of arrivals and departures for JFK in the high capacity
configuration. In this configuration, the flights arrive on Runways 13L and 22L and depart
on Runways 13R and 13L. The blue lines display the TAAM-based tracks for JFK arrivals,
and the green lines display the TAAM-based tracks for the JFK departures.

HPN

TEB
MMU LGA ISP
EWR
JFK

Figure 4-8. Future No Action Low Capacity Configuration JFK Terminal Profile
4-11

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN

TEB
MMU LGA ISP
EWR
JFK

Figure 4-9. Future No Action High Capacity Configuration JFK Terminal Profile

4.3.2 LaGuardia
This subsection describes the LGA en route and terminal profiles as modeled in TAAM
for the Future No Action Alternative.

4.3.2.1 LaGuardia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

EWR traffic uses the airspace to the west of LGA. JFK traffic uses the airspace to the
east. LGA has available airspace on the north side, but from the south or west, all traffic is
channeled into a narrow space in the middle between EWR and JFK. Aircraft from ZDC are
routed over Robbinsville (RBV) while aircraft arriving from ZNY are routed over LIZZI.
These two flows merge at NESOM. North of the airport, jets from ZBW arrive over VALRE
and turbo-props from ZBW arrive over NOBBI. Low altitude traffic from ZBW is provided
a separate arrival route over Bridgeport (BDR). The heaviest flow of traffic is over RBV.
The arrival routes in Figure 4-10 are the end of several stages of converging routes.
Upstream Centers, particularly ZDC and ZOB, structure the traffic so the sectors closest to
NY, with their limited airspace, can focus on sequencing. Each arrival route ends up with
traffic from a region of the United States, like a watershed. Figure 4-11 shows the
watersheds for the arrival routes to LGA. (Distance restrictions on LGA arrivals prevent
traffic from points in the United States farther west than Denver.) The areas for VALRE and
RBV extend outward beyond the borders of the map: arrivals from eastern Canada are
routed to VALRE; arrivals from the Caribbean and Bahamas come in via RBV.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 ALB
ITH
CTR
DNY
BAF

PWL BDL

VALRE NOBBI
ZNY MAD
MIP
BDR

LGA
ZBW
LIZZI NESOM

RBV

ZDC
ENO

DCA

Figure 4-10. Future No Action LGA Arrivals

VALRE BDR
VALRE BDR

LIZZI
LIZZI

RBV
RBV

Figure 4-11. Origins of Traffic to Each LGA Arrival Fix

The airspace on the airways to LGA is made complex by the presence of crossing traffic
to EWR and its satellites, by crossing traffic to JFK and ISP, by climbing traffic out of the
Washington/Baltimore area, and by northbound traffic through ZBW. Complexity is
managed here by numerous altitude restrictions, so traffic steps down in a predictable way.
Crossing traffic passes over or under, according to its own altitude restrictions.

4-13

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The major flows were modeled by explicit altitude requirements at many fixes. Low
altitude flows were modeled by limiting the requested altitude in the flight plans. Figure 4-12
shows the most important altitude restrictions en route, expressed in hundreds of feet.

ALB
ITH 0
25
FL 210
DNY FL BAF
180 BDL
130
VALRE NOBBI
090 MAD
MIP
FL210 ZNY BDR
160
130 100
LGA
LIZZI ZBW
100
140 RBV
170

FL210 ZDC
ENO
FL270
DCA

Figure 4-12. Future No Action LGA Arrival Altitudes

Figure 4-13 shows the NY metro airports share five departure gates and their
corresponding fixes (a detailed discussion of these gates, their fixes, and assigned city pairs
can be found in Section 4.2). The LGA departures to each of these gates must remain at or
below 17,000 feet until they pass through the gate. Those flights routed to the ELIOT
departure fix are an exception to this; they may climb to, but not exceed, FL200 before
passing through the gate. Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet.
TEC flights to HPN use BDR as a departure fix. Flights to TEB and MMU, also TEC,
depart LGA over NYACK. These routes lie underneath the jet departure routes depicted on
the map in Figure 4-13.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 North Gate
170 East Gate
170

NYACK
BDR
West Gate
170 (ELIOT@FL200)
ZBW
ELIOT

ZNY SHIPP
170

South Gate
ZDC
170

Figure 4-13. Future No Action LGA Departure Profile

4.3.2.2 LaGuardia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 4-14 and 4-15 show a close-up view of the low altitude routings in the LGA
terminal airspace. The arrivals are shown in blue, and the departures are shown in green. As
discussed in Section 3.10, in the low capacity configuration, departures from Runway 4 are
fanned into four headings. In the low capacity configuration, southern arrivals to Runway 31
cross over the LGA airport to vector to the northeast, where they are merged with the arrivals
from the north. This allows arrival traffic to avoid the JFK arrivals to the south while
remaining below the JFK departures traveling north. In the high capacity configuration the
southern arrivals to Runway 22 follow the Hudson River north, staying east of the EWR
airspace. Once north of LGA, they are merged with the arrivals from the north for final
approach. All departures in the high capacity configuration at LGA follow the same climb
out of the airport. Once they are approximately 15 miles northeast of LGA, they begin to
vector to their respective departure gates.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN

TEB

LGA

EWR

JFK

Figure 4-14. Future No Action Low Capacity Configuration LGA Terminal Profile

HPN

TEB
LGA

EWR

JFK

Figure 4-15. Future No Action High Capacity Configuration LGA Terminal Profile

4.3.3 Long Island MacArthur

This subsection describes the ISP en route and terminal profiles as modeled in TAAM for
the Future No Action Alternative.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 4.3.3.1 Long Island MacArthur En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles
Arrivals to ISP use either a northern or southern arrival route as shown in Figure 4-16.
Arrivals from the NY metropolitan area and Midwest use the CCC fix, while arrivals from
the Florida and Washington DC metropolitan area use the SARDI fix.

BDL PUT

ZBW ORW
HUO
CMK TMU
CCC SEY
SAX
TEB
JFK
SARDI
ARD COL

CYN ZNY
ZDC

Figure 4-16. Future No Action ISP Arrivals

Figure 4-17 depicts the regions of origin for aircraft using the two ISP arrival fixes.

CCC
CCC
CCC
CCC
CCC
CCC
CCC

SARDI
SARDI
SARDI
SARDI
SARDI
SARDI
SARDI
SARDI

Figure 4-17. Origins of Traffic to Each ISP Arrival Fix

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 There are several altitude restrictions for arrivals into ISP as shown in Figure 4-18. ISP
arrivals come in low to make room for oceanic departures. Altitudes in the figure are shown
in hundreds of feet.

PUT
200 BDL
250
ZBW 100
ORW
HUO
CMK TMU
CCC SEY
SAX 100
100
TEB
30 70
JFK
SARDI
ARD COL

CYN ZNY
ZDC

Figure 4-18. Future No Action ISP Arrival Altitudes

Figure 4-19 depicts the Future No Action Alternative departure streams with their
corresponding departure gate altitudes for ISP. There is no change in configuration between
the high and low capacity configurations.
IGN HFD
170 ORW
LHY
HUO
30 MAD TMU
LVZ CMK
NYACK BDR
SAX
STW
CCC HTO
170
BWZ LGA DPK
FJC BEADS
JFK
ETX SBJ

170
COL
PTW ARD
RBV
170
MXE
CYN
DQO OOD
VCN

Figure 4-19. Future No Action ISP Departures

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 4.3.3.2 Long Island MacArthur En Route Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles
Figure 4-20 provides a close-up view of the arrival and departures for ISP in the Future
No Action Alternative. The blue lines display the TAAM based tracks for ISP arrivals. The
green lines display the TAAM based tracks for ISP departures. The high and low capacity
configurations are the same for ISP

Figure 4-20. Future No Action ISP Terminal Profile

4.3.4 Newark Liberty International

This subsection describes the EWR en route and terminal profiles as modeled in TAAM
for the Future No Action Alternative.

4.3.4.1 Newark En Route Arrivals/Departure Profiles

EWR jet arrivals are organized into three corner post flows as shown in Figure 4-21.
Each center feeding the NY TRACON has its own corner post fix: ZDC routes aircraft over
Yardley (ARD); ZNY routes aircraft over PENNS; and ZBW routes aircraft over SHAFF.
The heaviest flow of traffic is over ARD.
Low altitude arrivals, whether jets or props, are usually segregated over a subsidiary fix.
From ZDC, TEC arrivals from PHL approach control and McGuire AFB are routed over
Robbinsville (RBV), beneath the arrival flow to LaGuardia. From ZNY, the low altitude
route follows the same ground track to PENNS, beneath the jet flow. This route is also used
by EWR satellite airports. From ZBW, fast low altitude traffic is merged with the jet flow,
while slow traffic is brought in farther to the west over COATE.

4-19

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The arrival routes in Figure 4-21 are the end of several stages of converging routes.
Upstream Centers, particularly ZDC and ZOB, structure the traffic so the sectors closest to
New York, with their limited airspace, can focus on sequencing. Each arrival route ends up
with traffic from a region of the world, like a watershed. Figure 4-22 shows the watersheds
for the arrival routes to EWR. Each area extends outward beyond the borders of the map:
arrivals from Europe come from the northeast corner via SHAFF; arrivals from the Pacific
Rim come from the north via SHAFF; arrivals from South America come in via ARD; and so
on.

ALB

HNK BAF

ZNY IGN

FQM LVZ SHAFF

COATE

PEN
NS
ZBW
EWR
D
AR

V
RB

DQO
ACY
ENO ZDC
BAL

Figure 4-21. Future No Action EWR Future Arrivals

4-20

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 SHAFF
SHAFF

PENNS
PENNS

ARD
ARD

Figure 4-22. Origins of Traffic to Each EWR Arrival Fix

The airspace on the airways to EWR is made complex by the presence of crossing traffic
to PHL and its satellites, by climbing traffic out of the Washington/Baltimore area, and by
northbound traffic through ZBW. Complexity is managed here by numerous altitude
restrictions, so traffic steps down in a predictable way. Crossing traffic passes over or under,
according to its own altitude restrictions.
The major flows were modeled by explicit altitude requirements at many fixes. Low
altitude flows were modeled by limiting the requested altitude in the flight plans. Figure 4-23
shows the most important altitude restrictions en route, expressed in hundreds of feet. An
additional restriction is west of the map, requiring ZOB to hand off arrivals at FL370 or
below.

4-21

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 170
180
ZNY 160
140
080
FL290 PEN SHAFF
170 NS
160
140
100 ZBW
EWR

D
080RBV

AR
100
110
180 130
FL230
FL250 ACY
ZDC
FL270

Figure 4-23. Future No Action EWR Arrival Altitudes

The EWR departure routes are illustrated in Figure 4-24. The jet departure routes for the
north, south and east are described in detail in Section 4.2 as part of the airspace overview. In
terms of the south departures, EWR departures to Florida use the WHITE departure fix, and
oceanic departures take DIXIE to South America. EWR does not use the oceanic fixes
SHIPP, BETTE and HAPIE. Prop departures are also shown in this figure. Props flying
locally to Elmira or Plattsburgh take the HAAYS departure fix. Props flying to Albany,
Hartford or Burlington take BREZY. EWR departures must stay below 17,000 feet until they
reach the departure gate.

Figure 4-24. Future No Action EWR Departure Routes

4-22

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 4.3.4.2 Newark Liberty International Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles
Figures 4-25 and 4-26 shows a close-up view of the low altitude routings for EWR. The
blue lines display the TAAM-based tracks for EWR arrivals via Runway 04R/22L and 11,
and the green lines display the TAAM-based tracks for the EWR departures for Runways
04L/22R and 29. EWR departures to the south are held below 6000 feet until Colts Neck
(COL) to stay below the LGA arrivals.

HPN

MMU LGA
EWR JFK

COL

Figure 4-25. EWR Future No Action Low Capacity Terminal Profile

HPN

MMU LGA
EWR JFK

COL

Figure 4-26. EWR Future No Action High Capacity Terminal Profile

4.3.5 Newark Liberty International Satellites (TEB and MMU)

This subsection describes the TEB and MMU en route and terminal profiles as modeled
in TAAM for the Future No Action Alternative.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 4.3.5.1 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles
Figure 4-27 displays the TEB/MMU arrival routes. MMU routes that differ from TEB are
shown in purple.
TEB and MMU jet arrivals are organized into three corner posts. Each center feeding the
New York TRACON has its own corner post fix: ZDC routes aircraft over MAZIE for TEB,
and over Broadway (BWZ) for MMU; ZNY routes aircraft over LVZ; and ZBW routes
aircraft over COATE. The heaviest flow of traffic is from the south.
Low altitude arrivals, whether jets or props, are usually segregated over a subsidiary fix.
From ZBW, low altitude flights from New England fly via BREZY.

Figure 4-27. Future No Action TEB/MMU Arrivals

The arrival routes in Figure 4-27 comprise the end of several stages of converging routes.
Upstream centers, particularly ZDC and ZOB, structure the traffic so the sectors closest to
New York, with their limited airspace, can focus on sequencing. Each arrival route ends up
with traffic from a region of the world, like a watershed. Figure 4-28 shows the watersheds
for the arrival routes to TEB and MMU. Each area extends outward beyond the borders of
the map. For example, arrivals from Canada come from the northeast corner via COATE.

4-24

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 4-28. Origins of Traffic to Each TEB/MMU Arrival Fix
Similar to EWR, the airspace on the airways to TEB and MMU is made complex by the
presence of crossing traffic to PHL and its satellites, by climbing traffic out of the
Washington/Baltimore area, and by northbound traffic through ZBW. Complexity is
managed here by numerous altitude restrictions, so traffic steps down in a predictable way.
The major flows were modeled by explicit altitude requirements at many fixes. Low
altitude flows were modeled by limiting the requested altitude in the flight plans. Figure 4-29
shows the most important altitude restrictions en route, in hundreds of feet. An additional
restriction is west of the map, requiring ZOB to hand off arrivals at FL370 or below.

Figure 4-29. Future No Action TEB/MMU Arrival Altitude

4-25

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 4-30 shows the TEB and MMU Future No Action Alternative departure routes
and associated gate altitudes for both the low capacity and high capacity configurations. The
TEB departures are shown in blue, and the MMU departures are shown in purple. Similar to
EWR, TEB/MMU departures to Florida use WHITE only and do not use WAVEY. Oceanic
departures take DIXIE to South America and do not use the oceanic fixes SHIPP, BETTE
and HAPIE. This figure also shows the prop routes for HAAYS and BREZY. Props flying
locally to Buffalo, Syracuse or Utica use the HAAYS departure fix. Aircraft flying to the
New England area take the BREZY departure fix. Aircraft must not climb above 17,000 feet
until they reach the gate.

Figure 4-30. Future No Action TEB/MMU Departure Routes

4.3.5.2 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 4-31 and 4-32 show a close-up view of the arrival and departure procedures for
the TEB Future No Action low capacity and high capacity configurations. The blue lines
display the TAAM-based tracks for TEB 06/19 arrivals, and the green lines display the
TAAM-based tracks for TEB 01/24 departures. TEB arrivals are funneled to the west of the
airport. In the high capacity configuration, the arrivals to Runway 19 cross over the airport to
a tight teardrop approach. TEB departures to the south are held below 6000 feet until COL
to stay below the LGA arrivals.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 SAX
STW

TEB
BWZ LGA D

JFK
SBJ

COL
ARD

Figure 4-31. Future No Action TEB Low Capacity Terminal Profile

SAX
STW

TEB
BWZ LGA

JF
SBJ

Figure 4-32. Future No Action TEB High Capacity Terminal Profile

In Figure 4-33, the blue lines display the tracks for MMU Runway 23 arrivals, and the
green lines display the tracks for Runway 23 departures and the red line shows the localizer
for EWR Runway 11. MMU departures must perform a tight left hand turn to travel to the
west or north to maneuver around the EWR Runway 11 arrivals. MMU arrivals are merged
north of the airport.

4-27

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 CM

SAX HPN
STW

TEB
BWZ MMU LGA
EWR
JFK
SBJ

Figure 4-33. Future No Action MMU Terminal Profile

4.3.6 Philadelphia International

This subsection describes the PHL en route and terminal profiles as modeled in TAAM
for the Future No Action Alternative.

4.3.6.1 Philadelphia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Most arrivals to PHL use one of six arrival fixes. BUNTS, TERRI, SPUDS, and VCN
are for long-haul flights. PTW and KERNO are for shorter flights originating in
Pennsylvania, New York, and the Baltimore/Washington area. New York metro departures
landing at PHL fly under TEC. Although they have departure and arrival fixes in their flight
plans, they typically are vectored wherever the controllers think is most efficient for that
particular flight. Figure 4-34 shows the assignment of arrival fixes to connecting airports in
the contiguous United States. Flights from outside the depicted area use the fix
corresponding to the point where they make landfall. For example, European and South
American flights use VCN.

4-28

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 SPUDS
SPUDS

PTW
PTW

KERNO
KERNO
BUNTS
BUNTS

VCN
VCN

TERRI
TERRI

Figure 4-34. Origins of Traffic for Each PHL Arrival Fix

Figure 4-35 shows the arrival routes to PHL. Because of the position of the PHL
approach control at the boundary of two centers, sandwiched between two large TRACON
airspaces, the typical corner post operation is distorted. Flights from New England are
routed either over water, to come in via VCN, or routed far west, to come in over SPUDS.
Low altitude arrivals use PTW, which is also a departure fix.
Dotted lines show the arrival routes to Runway 35. When the main runways are being
used in west configuration, aircraft approach 35 on the west downwind. In east
configuration, the east downwind is used.

4-29

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 SPUDS

PTW ARD

BUNTS

MXE
PHL

DQO OOD
VCN

TERRI

ENO

Figure 4-35. Future No Action PHL Arrivals

Arrivals to PHL are tightly constrained in altitude as well as in ground track. Figure 4-36
shows the step downs as arrivals approach the airport. The arrivals from over water via VCN
are the least constrained. Arrivals from the north over SPUDS are forced down to 12,000
feet very early, to keep them beneath New York traffic. Altitudes in the figure are shown in
hundreds of feet.
Arrivals to Runway 35 pass over the final approaches to the main runways, then turn on
to the base leg at 3,000 feet. Arrivals to the main runways are 3-4,000 feet higher as they
turn onto their downwind legs.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 120 120

120
080
FL210 FL280
050
130 090 FL200
170
FL180

080 160
100

150
150
150
170
FL210

Figure 4-36. Future No Action PHL Arrival Altitudes

Figure 4-37 shows the departure routes and their associated altitudes. PHL departures do
not use gates as do New York departures. Since one airport dominates the flow, a single fix
is sufficient to feed the jet airways. The western departures include the dual flow in the
direction of MXE. One flow is over MXE, the other is about 5 miles south.
Departures to the northeast of PHL, over RBV and west of Yardley (ARD), are not
directed to jet airways. These routes are for Tower En route Control (TEC) aircraft bound
for airports in the New York TRACON. There is a similar route over the DQO VOR,
southwest of PHL, for TEC flights to Potomac Consolidated TRACON, but it lies under the
line shown in the figure, and is not displayed separately.

4-31

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 4-37. Future No Action PHL Departure Profile

4.3.6.2 Philadelphia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 4-38 and 4-39 show a close-up view of low altitude routings in PHL terminal
airspace. The arrivals are shown in blue, and the departures are shown in green. A classic
“trombone” pattern is available for arrivals to PHL, since there are no major airports
competing for its low altitude airspace. In west flow, there are no “short-side” arrivals,
which simplify the operation. In east flow, all the arrivals would be from the short side, so a
zigzag approach has been implemented to make vectoring possible. This is one reason why
east flow is not the preferred configuration. (Restrictive runway dependencies are the
others.)
Departures from the main runway and Runway 35 can be seen in these figures in green.
Traffic from the two runways is blended into a single stream by PHL departure control
before the aircraft reach the fix and are handed off to en route control.

4-32

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 ARD
PTW
RBV

BUNTS

MXE

CYN

DQO
VCN

OOD

ACY

Figure 4-38. Future No Action West Flow PHL Terminal Profile

ARD
PTW

RP
BUNTS

MXE

DQO
VCN

OOD

Figure 4-39. Future No Action East Flow PHL Terminal Profile

4.3.7 Westchester County

This subsection describes the HPN en route and terminal profiles as modeled in TAAM
for the Future No Action Alternative.

4.3.7.1 Westchester County En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

HPN is situated to the northeast of the other New York Metro airports. Dense traffic to
and from these airports constrains the HPN arrivals to operate to the north and southeast as
shown in Figure 4-40. Aircraft from ZDC arriving from the eastern coastal areas are routed
over RICED while aircraft arriving from inland areas of the southeast are routed over
BOUNO. These two streams merge at BDR, approaching HPN from the east. Jet arrivals
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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

from the west merge with arrivals from the north at Kingston (IGN) and approach HPN from
the north over VALRE. Turbo props from these areas split off at IGN to utilize the NOBBI
arrival route. Low altitude traffic from ZBW, as well as arrivals from PHL, are provided a
separate arrival route over RYMES.
DNY CTR
ZBW BAF

IGN BDL

VALRE NOBBI
RYMES MAD
BDR
HPN
ZNY DPK CCC

RICED
BOUNO

PHL CYN
ZDC

Figure 4-40. HPN Future No Action Arrivals

Arrivals to HPN are routed over one of six arrival fixes based on the geographical area of
the country from which they originate as shown in Figure 4-41. The largest of these areas,
covering most of the United States, requires arriving aircraft to be merged by ZOB and
funneled over VALRE. The other major flow, arriving from the south, utilizes BOUNO.
Short-haul flights, from the Washington DC area for example, are routed over RICED, while
those from southern New England are routed over BDR. PHL and ISP flights, under TEC,
arrive over RYMES. TEC arrivals from the north and west use CMK.

4-34

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 CMK
CMK BDR
BDR

RYMES
RYMES
RICED
RICED
VALRE
VALRE

BOUNO
BOUNO

Figure 4-41. Origins of Traffic to Each HPN Arrival Fix

The indirect routing of the HPN arrival traffic insures that the flights are separated from
much of the arrival and departure traffic to the busier airports. In the instances where
crossing flows could not be avoided, altitude restrictions were employed to insure vertical
separation as shown in Figure 4-42. Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet.

4-35

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 DNY
FL180
BDL
160 100
IGN NOBBI
VALRE060 060 CMK
040 040 RYMES
ZNY BDR
HPN 040 ZBW
150
DPK
RICED
BOUNO 170

CYN

ACY ZDC

Figure 4-42. HPN Arrival Altitude Restrictions

The NY airports share five departure gates and their corresponding fixes (a detailed
discussion of these gates, their fixes, and assigned city pairs can be found in Section 4.2).
The four departure gates utilized by HPN are shown in Figure 4-43. The HPN departures to
each of these gates must remain at or below 17,000 feet until they are under control of the
Center.
TEC flights to TEB and MMU depart HPN over NYACK. Flights to PHL, also TEC,
circle over the HPN airport and fly over JFK before proceeding through the south gate at
DIXIE. These routes lie underneath the jet departure routes depicted on the map in Figure 4-
43. Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet.

4-36

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 North Gate
170
NYACK
East Gate
170
ZNY HPN

JFK

ZBW
West Gate
170

DIXIE
South Gate
HL ZDC 170

Figure 4-43. HPN Departure Profile

4.3.7.2 Westchester County Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Departures out of HPN, shown in Figure 4-44 in green, share an initial heading of 295.
At an altitude of 3,000 feet flights to the east, as well as those to the south, split off of the
initial heading. Flights to PHL, which circle to pass over the airport while turning south, also
split off at about 3,000 feet in altitude. Aircraft traveling through the north or west gates do
not fan off of the initial heading until they are five miles from HPN. Arrivals to HPN, shown
in blue, stay east of the departure flows. The two main flows into the terminal airspace are
merged on the downwind leg, just before turning onto the crosswind leg.

4-37

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN

Figure 4-44. Future No Action HPN Terminal Profile

4-38

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Section 5
Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative

5.1 Design Overview

The Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative is a variation of the Future No Action
Alternative. In the Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative, PHL has a new DITCH
departure that is moved eastward and climbs under a new WHITE departure as shown in
Figure 5-1. In Future No Action, PHL DITCH departures to the north turn northeast
immediately after DITCH, climbing above JFK RBV departures, resulting in the PHL
departures having to stay at a low altitude until they exit the NY TRACON. In the
Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative, PHL DITCH departures to the north stay on
the eastbound course longer until after crossing the WHITE departure corridor. This ensures
the PHL departures cross above the JFK RBV departures
CFB BAF
ELZ ULW HNK

SFK IGN HF
SLT LHY
HUO
FQM CMK
ETG LVZ
PHL
MIP Ditch HPN
STW
PSB
Dep Route BWZ MMU LGA DPK ISP
RAV ETX SBJ JFK

PHL ZID/ZOB
HAR Deps ARD RBV WAVEY
PTW
LRP
PHL WHITE
MXE
DITCH
SACRI OOD
EMI
MRB WHITE
EWR WAVEY
PHL Deps ENO
BAL Oceanic Dep Route
J48 SIE
AML Deps
LDN
OTT
CSN

BRV SBY
PXT

GVE SWL

Figure 5-1. Modification to Existing Airspace Alternative Overview

In addition, southwest-bound departures out of PHL are also restructured to allow
unrestricted climbs and west departures from NY metro airports and PHL have an additional
jet route for destinations within ZID or ZOB airspace. Philadelphia departure profiles at low
altitude are permitted departure headings according to departure fix; instead of solely by
engine type as in the Future No Action Alternative.

5-1

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 As shown in the Figure 5-1, EWR adds a WAVEY oceanic departure route in the low
capacity configuration (using Runway 04L/29 for departures, Runway 04R/11 for arrivals).
EWR departures are fanned in the high capacity configuration.
The TAAM implementation of Modification to Existing Airspace Alternative is based on
airspace and airport modifications to the validated Future No Action Alternative TAAM
models. Detailed operational TAAM modeling of this alternative was conducted for the
highest-traffic subset of the airports (JFK, LGA, ISP, HPN, EWR, PHL, TEB and MMU) to
be studied in the Environmental Impact Statement. As part of the model development, the
departure and arrival routes were provided by the redesign team. The terminal arrival and
departure procedures were based on modifications to the current procedures as coordinated
and validated by the redesign team.
Based on the destination airport, the modeled departures typically use the same jet route
and departure fix. The departure route and departure fix usage modeled in TAAM is
described in Section 5.2. The specific en route and terminal arrival and departure profiles
modeled in TAAM are described in Section 5.3.

5.2 Airspace
In this alternative, NY metro departures to north, east and south, and oceanic departures
are the same as Future No Action Alternative. West departures from NY metro airports and
PHL have an additional jet route that is used for destination airports internal to ZID or ZOB.
PHL STOEN departures to J48 are routed to J75 then at SACRI to EMI merging with J48.
The NY metro departures to J60, J64, J6, J48, and J75 take the same route as in the Future
No Action Alternative. PHL DITCH departures stays on the eastbound course longer than in
the Future No Action Alternative before turning north. Figure 5-2 illustrates NY metro and
PHL departure routes for the Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative. The purple
lines in Figure 5-2 highlight where the Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative is
different from the Future No Action Alternative.

5-2

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 J95 NY/NJ Departures
JFK & Sat. West Departures
PHL Departures
J223
J36

GREKI
GAYEL MERIT
J60 PHL-N NEION
COATE BAYYS North Atlantic Route
ELIOT
PARKE PHL-E2 PHL-E1
J64 LANNA
BIGGY BETTE/HAPIE
RBV WAVEY
PTW SHIPP
MXE DITCH WHITE
J80 STOEN
SACRI OOD
J6
EMI
Atlantic Route
J48 J75

To J79 To J209 Off-shore Radar Route

Figure 5-2. Modification to Existing Airspace Departures

5.2.1 West Departures

West departures from NY metro airports and PHL have an additional jet route for
destination airports internal to ZID or ZOB as shown in Figure 5-3. J230 is realigned to go
from RBV, LRP, then to APE (330 nmi west of LRP) creating the second westbound route
into ZOB. The LRP to APE segment is used for flights landing within ZOB and/or ZID.
JFK flights over AIR (240 nmi west of LRP) use the LRP267 radial to join J110. ELIOT
departures merge onto J230 at the intersection of J80 and J230. PHL departures merge onto
J230 approximately 20 nmi west of LRP.

5-3

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 5-3. Modifications to Existing Airspace West Departure Routes

5.2.2 PHL STOEN Departures to J48

In the Future No Action Alternative, PHL STOEN departures to J48 proceed towards
southwest on J110 and turn onto J48 merging with NY departures at EMI. In Modifications
to Existing System Alternative, they are routed to J75 then turn west at SACRI, merging with
J48 at EMI. This change allows PHL departures an unrestricted climb to FL230.

5.2.3 PHL DITCH Departures to North

PHL DITCH departures to the north in Future No Action turn northeast immediately after
DITCH, climbing above JFK RBV departures.

5.3 Airports
The subsections below describe the en route arrival/departure profiles and the terminal
arrival/departure profiles for the Modifications to Existing System Alternative for JFK, LGA,
ISP, EWR, EWR satellites (TEB and MMU), PHL, and HPN. Where there are significant
differences from the Future No Action Alternative, there are overall descriptions of en route
arrival/departure profiles and enhanced views of the modeled terminal arrival/departure
procedures. In the supporting figures, altitudes below 18,000 feet are shown in hundreds of
feet (e.g., 8000 is shown as 80), and altitudes above 18,000 feet are given in Flight Levels
(FLs) (e.g., 19,000 feet is shown as FL190).

5-4

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

5.3.1 John F. Kennedy International
JFK is generally unaffected in this alternative. Arrivals are exactly the same as in the
Future No Action Alternative. There is a small change for the few aircraft from JFK that
depart over WHITE. The WHITE fix was moved 10 nmi to the west. As discussed in
Section 9, this change did not affect the results for JFK.

5.3.2 LaGuardia
LGA is generally unaffected in this alternative. Arrivals and departures are exactly the
same as in the Future No Action Alternative. The departure headings for the low capacity
remain the same as in the Future No Action Alternative. There is a small change for the few
aircraft that depart over WHITE. The WHITE fix was moved 10 nmi to the west. As
discussed in Section 9, this change did not affect the results for LGA.

TEB

LGA

EWR

JFK

Figure 5-4. Modifications High Capacity LGA Terminal Profile

5.3.3 Long Island MacArthur

ISP is generally unaffected in this alternative. Arrivals are exactly the same as in the
Future No Action Alternative. There is a small change for the few aircraft from ISP that
depart over WHITE. The WHITE fix was moved 10 nmi to the west. As discussed in
Section 9, this change did not affect the results for ISP.

5-5

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

5.3.4 Newark Liberty International

5.3.4.1 Newark Liberty International En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

The EWR arrival routes in this alternative are the same as in the Future No Action
Alternative. In terms of departure routes, there are two changes. WHITE departures are
moved 10 miles west (new departure fix location MWHITE shown in 5-5) and EWR adds a
WAVEY oceanic departure route in the low capacity configuration (using Runway 04L/29
for departures, Runway 04R/11 for arrivals). These changes are shown in Figure 5-5.
Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet.

170
170

170

170
WAVEY
MWHITE 170
WHITE

Figure 5-5. Modifications to Existing Airspace EWR Departure Routes

5.3.4.2 Newark Liberty International Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 5-6 and 5-7 compares the low-altitude routings for the Future No Action and
Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternatives. The green lines display the TAAM-based
tracks for the Modifications to Existing Airspace EWR departures and the blue lines show
the Future No Action Alternative departures for Runways 04L/22R and 29. Terminal arrival
routes are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative and are not shown in the figure.
The new WAVEY departure for the low capacity configuration crosses JFK at or above 8000
feet to 17,000 feet at WAVEY to jet route J174 in the Modifications to Existing Airspace
Alternative.

5-6

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN

TEB
MMU LGA ISP
EWR

WAVEY
MWHITE
WHITE
PHL

Figure 5-6. EWR Modifications to Existing Airspace Low Capacity Terminal

Profile

HPN

TEB
MMU LGA ISP
EWR
JFK

MAZIE COL
WAVEY

Figure 5-7. EWR Modifications to Existing Airspace High Capacity Terminal

Profile
For the high capacity configuration for the Integrated Airspace Alternative, departures
are “fanned” off Runway 22R as shown in Figure 5-7. Fanned departures take different
headings off of the runway depending on their destination rather than being in-trail as in the
Future No Action Alternative. This capability allows for an increased number of departures
from the Future No Action Alternative. The headings used depend on whether Runway 11 is
open for arrivals, so that Runway 11 arrivals do not interfere with Runway 22R departures.
Table 5-1 shows the fanned headings used for Runway 22R.

5-7

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 5-1. Runway 22R Departure Headings for Integrated Airspace Alternative
Departure Runway 11 Runway 11
Direction Open for Arrivals Closed

North 240 degrees 260 degrees

East 240 degrees 260 degrees

West 240 degrees 240 degrees

South 220 degrees 220 degrees

5.3.5 Newark Liberty International Satellites

TEB and MMU are generally unaffected in this alternative. Arrivals are exactly the same
as in the Future No Action Alternative. There is a small change for the few aircraft from
TEB and MMU that depart over WHITE. In this alternative, the WHITE fix was moved 10
nmi to the west. As discussed in Section 9, this change did not affect the results for TEB or
MMU.

5.3.6 Philadelphia International

5.3.6.1 Philadelphia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

As described above in Section 5.2, there are two changes to PHL’s profiles in this
alternative.
First, the low-performing departures to the northeast are freed to climb unobstructed,
since the DITCH departure path has been moved east, roughly to the CYN navigation aid.
This is permitted by the change in New York departures from WHITE to MWHITE.
Second, J48 departures are kept in trail with J75 longer. They join J48 at EMI.

5-8

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 5-8. Modifications to Existing Airspace PHL Arrival/Departure Profile

5.3.6.2 Philadelphia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Philadelphia departure profiles at low altitude are permitted departure headings according
to departure fix; instead of solely by engine type as in the Future No Action Alternative.
Figure 5-8 shows simulated departure tracks for the high-capacity configuration (west) in
green and for the low-capacity configuration (east) in black for the Future No Action and
Modification to Existing Airspace Alternatives. PHL arrival profiles are not affected in this
alternative.

MXE

PHL

DQO
OOD Modifications to Existing Airspace
Future No Action Alternative
VCN Alternative

Figure 5-9. Future No Action and Modifications to Existing Airspace PHL

Terminal Profiles

5-9

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

5.3.7 Westchester County
HPN is generally unaffected in this alternative. Arrivals are exactly the same as in the
Future No Action Alternative. There is a small change for the few aircraft that depart over
WHITE. The WHITE fix was moved 10 nmi to the west. As discussed in Section 9, this
change did not affect the results for HPN

5-10

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Section 6
Ocean Routing Alternative

6.1 Design Overview

The Ocean Routing Alternative is a proposal of the Office of the Governor of New
Jersey, originally developed by the New Jersey Coalition Against Aircraft Noise, Inc.
As shown in Figure 6-1, this alternative begins by sending EWR departures south and
east over water, regardless of their final destination. The aircraft climb over the water until
they are high enough to be inaudible from the land. West departures then turn south and west
to join their jet airways. In effect, the current four west fixes are replaced by a single fix. To
accommodate this new flow of traffic, the JFK arrivals that currently use that airspace (the
ones headed north from ZDC) are moved several miles eastward. Arrivals to JFK from ZDC
are also moved eastward to give the EWR departures space to climb unimpeded. JFK
westbound departures go even farther south before turning west.
EWR North departures go east, and then turn north over Long Island, then west. This
loop eastward permits them to climb out of the New York TRACON through the top of the
TRACON airspace, then proceed westward at high altitude.

HUO
CMK

SAX
STW

BWZ LGA DPK

FJC EWR
JFK
SBJ

ARD
RBV

CYN

OOD
VCN

EWR Departures
SIE JFK Departures
JFK Arrivals

Figure 6-1. Ocean Routing Alternative Overview

6-1

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 North and west departures from LGA head north, keeping east of the Hudson River, until
their engine noise is no longer a problem, then turn westward. They will be under the north
departures from EWR.
PHL traffic is not directly affected by the Ocean Routing Alternative. Any impacts on
PHL will be secondary, because departures may have a more difficult time merging with the
JFK departures to the west, which are now overhead of the MXE departure fix.
The TAAM implementation of Ocean Routing Alternative is based on airspace and
airport modifications to the validated Future No Action TAAM models.
Detailed operational TAAM modeling of this alternative was conducted for the highest-
traffic subset of the airports (JFK, LGA, ISP, HPN, EWR, PHL, TEB and MMU) to be
studied in the EIS. As part of the model development, the departure and arrival routes were
provided by the redesign team. The terminal arrival and departure procedures were based on
modifications to the current procedures as coordinated and validated by the redesign team.
Based on the destination airport, the modeled departures typically use the same jet route
and departure fix. The departure route and departure fix usage modeled in TAAM is
described in Section 6.2. The specific en route and terminal arrival and departure profiles
modeled in TAAM is described in Section 6.3.

6.2 Airspace
In the Ocean Routing Alternative, all departure routes from LGA, ISP, HPN, PHL, TEB
and MMU are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative as shown in Figure 6-2. West
departures from EWR are routed to RBV or CYN rather than using west gate departure fixes
(ELIOT, PARKE, LANNA, and BIGGY). Some west departures from JFK are also routed
to CYN, rather than RBV used in the Future No Action Alternative. South departures from
EWR are routed to SIE rather than to WHITE. These differences are highlighted in purple in
Figure 6-2.

6-2

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 J95 NY/NJ Departures
JFK & EWR Ocean Departures
PHL Departures
J223
J36

GREKI
GAYEL MERIT
J60 NEION BAYYS
To Europe
COATE
ELIOT
PARKE
J64 LANNA
BIGGY BETTE/HAPIE
RBV
PTW WAVEY SHIPP
WHITE
MXE CYN
J80 STOEN DITCH
J6
OOD To Europe,
SIE Bermuda,
Caribbean
J48 J75

To Florida,
To J79 Caribbean
To J209

Figure 6-2. Ocean Routing Airspace

6.2.1 West Departures in Ocean Routing

Figure 6-3 shows departures from EWR and JFK to J60 and J64 are routed to RBV.
Departures to J80 from JFK and EWR are routed to CYN and continue west on J110, and
merge with PHL departures and other NY departures via ELIOT at KIPPI and LARRI.
Departures to J6 are routed to CYN, continue west on J110 and turn southwest at FLIRT,
merging with other NY metro departures from PARKE. Departures to J48 from JFK and
EWR are routed to CYN, continue west on J110, where J48 departures turn south at PENSY
merging with other NY metro departures from LANNA. Departures to J75 from JFK and
EWR are routed to CYN, continue on J110, where J75 departures turn south at a few miles
west of MXE, and merge with other NY metro departures from BIGGY at SACRI.J80
departures continue west, merging with PHL departures and other NY departures via ELIOT
at KIPPI and LARRI.

6-3

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 6-3. Ocean Routing West Departures

6.2.2 South Departures in Ocean Routing

Figure 6-4 shows south departures are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative
except that EWR departures are routed over the ocean to Sea Isle (SIE). At SIE, EWR
flights are separated based on whether the flights are destined to fly over land (J79) or over
water (J209). EWR flights destined to fly over water via route (J209) are merged with JFK
and ISP departures at Snow Hill (SWL). EWR flights destined to fly over land (J79) are
merged with WHITE departures and PHL departures at SBY and continue via KATZN,
WEAVR and ISO to jet route J29.

6-4

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 6-4. Ocean Routing South Departures

6.3 Airports
The subsections below describe the en route arrival/departure profiles and the terminal
arrival/departure profiles for the Ocean Routing Alternative for JFK, LGA, ISP, EWR, EWR
satellites (TEB and MMU), PHL, and HPN. In each subsection, there is an overall
description of en route arrival/departure profiles and an enhanced view of the modeled
terminal arrival/departure procedures. In the supporting figures, altitudes below 18,000 feet
are shown in hundreds of feet (i.e., 8,000 is shown as 80), and altitudes above 18,000 feet are
given in Flight Levels (FLs) (i.e. 19,000 feet is shown as FL190).

6.3.1 John F. Kennedy International

6.3.1.1 JFK En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 6-5 shows the Ocean Routing arrival routes.

6-5

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 6-5. Ocean Routing JFK Arrival Profile
Arrivals to JFK are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative with the following
exceptions.
• Jet arrivals from the south via CAMRN are routed out in the ocean from SIE (altitude
is below FL290) to SIE radial 074 to intercept DPK radial 206, then to the fix
(NEWFIX) at the intersection of DPK radial 206 and COL radial 131. Altitude at
NEWFIX is 11,000 feet.
• In the JFK low configuration, Jet Arrivals from the northwest to 31L/R (LENDY and
KINGSTON arrivals) pass LGA at 16,000 feet, continue to DPK (cross DPK at
15,000 feet.), start turning south staying at 11,000 feet or higher to intercept HTO
radial 260, then descend to 4000 feet.
Figure 6-6 shows the Ocean Routing departure routes and associated gate altitudes.

6-6

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 6-6. Ocean Routing JFK Departure Profile
Departures to north and east are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative.
Departures to J60 and J64 fly via JFK 180 radial to intercept RBV 90 radial to RBV.
Departures to J80, J6, J48, and J75 fly via JFK 180 radial to intercept DPK 217 radial and
then intercept CYN 110 radial to CYN and continue on J110.

6.3.1.2 JFK Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 6-7 and 6-8 compare the arrival and departure procedures for the Future No
Action and Ocean Routing Alternatives. The blue lines display the TAAM-based tracks for
JFK arrivals, and the green lines display the TAAM-based tracks for the JFK departures.
The change to northwest arrivals for the low configuration and change to southbound
departures are shown in these figures.
HUO
MAD
CMK
BDR
SAX
STW
CCC HTO
TEB
BWZ LGA DPK

JFK
SBJ

COL
ARD
RBV

CYN
Future No Action Alternative Ocean Routing Alternative

Figure 6-7. Future No Action and Ocean Routing JFK Low Capacity Terminal
Profiles

6-7

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 MAD
CMK

BDR
SAX
STW
CCC HTO
TEB
BWZ LGA DPK

JFK
SBJ

COL
ARD
RBV

Future No Action Alternative Ocean Routing Alternative

Figure 6-8. Future No Action and Ocean Routing JFK High Capacity Terminal
Profiles

6.3.2 LaGuardia

6.3.2.1 LaGuardia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

In Ocean Routing, LGA arrivals are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative
except for the altitude restriction for arrivals from south and west. Arrivals from south and
west are at 9000 feet when they cross CRI radial 256 to allow the departures from EWR to
climb to the altitude. Figure 6-9 shows the arrival routes and altitudes. Altitudes in the figure
are shown in hundreds of feet and FLs.

ALB
ITH 0
25
FL 210
DNY F L BAF
180 BDL
130
VALRE NOBBI
090 MAD
MIP
FL210 ZNY BDR
160
130 100
LGA
LIZZI ZBW
100
140 RBV 90
170

FL210 ZDC
ENO
FL270
DCA

Figure 6-9. Ocean Routing LGA Arrival Profile

6-8

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 In Ocean Routing, LGA departures to north gates (GAYEL, NEION, and COATE)
remain over the Hudson River for a longer period of time than in the Future No Action
Alternative. LGA departures remain over or east of the Hudson River until intercepting the
appropriate DPK radial where aircraft proceed westbound: GAYEL via DPK radial 319,
NEION via DPK radial 311, and COATE via DPK radial 300.
Figure 6-10 shows the Ocean Routing departure routes and associated gate altitudes.
Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet.

Figure 6-10. Ocean Routing LGA Departure Profile

6.3.2.2 LaGuardia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 6-11 and 6-12 compare the arrival and departure procedures for the Future No
Action and Ocean Routing Alternatives. The blue lines display the TAAM-based tracks for
LGA arrivals, and the green lines display the TAAM-based tracks for the LGA departures.

6-9

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Figure 6-11. Ocean Routing LGA Low Capacity Terminal Profile

Figure 6-12. Ocean Routing LGA High Capacity Terminal Profile

6-10

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 6.3.3 Long Island MacArthur
There is no change in ISP in Oceanic Routing from the Future No Action Alternative
6.3.4 Newark Liberty International
6.3.4.1 Newark Liberty International En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles
In Ocean Routing, EWR arrivals are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative as
discussed in Section 4.3.4.
Figure 6-13 shows the Ocean Routing departure routes and associated gate altitudes.
Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet and FLs.
Departures to north and east from Runway 04L are the same as in the Future No Action
Alternative. Departures to the south and west from Runway 04L turn south, then east via
SBJ114041 then via the JFK210 radial to intercept the RBV110 radial to RBV J64 (J60
departures) or intercept the CYN 090 radial to CYN and then to J110 (J80, J48, J48, J6, J75
departures), or intercept J121 and follow J121 to SIE (WHITE departures). South and west
departures must be at or above 10,000 feet when crossing with LGA arrivals from RBV. J60
departures must be at FL230 when they turn inland, and other departures must be FL300 or
above when they turn inland.
All departures from Runway 22R turn east via SBJ110041. South and west departures
from Runway 22R are the same as 04L departures except that aircraft must be 6,000 feet or
below when crossing with LGA arrivals from RBV. North and east departures turn toward
DPK at SBJ110041. Once aircraft cross the south shore of ISP (aircraft must be at 16,000
feet or above), east departures vector left to the assigned fix, whereas north departures
continue left until crossing the Hudson River, then turn to the assigned fix.
Departures from Runway 29 are the same as the in Future No Action Alternative.

6-11

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 6-13. Ocean Routing EWR Departure Profile

6.3.4.2 Newark Liberty International Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 6-14 and 6-15 compare the arrival and departure procedures for the Future No
Action and Ocean Routing Alternatives. The blue lines display the TAAM-based tracks for
EWR arrivals, and the green lines display the TAAM-based tracks for the EWR departures.
These figures show the impact to the west departures with this alternative.
MA
CMK
Future No Action Alternative Ocean Routing Alternative
BDR
SAX HPN
STW
CCC
TEB
BWZ MMU LGA DPK ISP
FJC
EWR
JFK
SBJ

COL
ARD
RBV

Figure 6-14. Future No Action and Ocean Routing EWR Low Capacity Terminal
Profiles

6-12

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 MA
CMK
Future No Action Alternative
BDR
Ocean Routing Alternative
SAX HPN
STW
CCC
TEB
BWZ MMU LGA DPK ISP
FJC
EWR
JFK
SBJ

COL
ARD
RBV

Figure 6-15. Future No Action and Ocean Routing EWR High Capacity Terminal
Profiles

6.3.5 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal

There is no change to TEB and MMU operations for Ocean Routing from the Future No
Action Alternative as discussed in Section 4.3.5.

6.3.6 Philadelphia International

There is no change to PHL operations for Ocean Routing from the Future No Action
Alternative.

6.3.7 Westchester County

There is no change to HPN operations for Ocean Routing from the Future No Action
Alternative.

6-13

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Section 7
Integrated Airspace Alternative

7.1 Design Overview

In the Integrated Airspace Alternative, NY metro departures to north and east, and
oceanic departures as well as all PHL departures are the same as in the Future No Action
Alternative. West departures from NY metro airports have an additional departure fix. As
shown in Figure 7-1, a jet route parallel to J80 is available for NY metro and PHL departures
for Indianapolis ARTCC (ZID) internal airports. JFK satellite departures to the south are
given separate routes from JFK and the routes are separated earlier depending on the
destination (over water on J209 or over land on J79). In addition, there is a new prop route
for EWR and its satellites, and ISP gains a new southern departure stream. Finally, HPN
southern arrival route is modified and has a straighter approach to the airport.
ELZ ULW HNK
PU
EWR/EWR-Sat Prop Arrivals
SFK IGN HFD
SLT LHY
HUO
FQM
ETG LVZ CMK
HPN South
MIP New Dep Fix HPN Arrival
STW
PSB HTO
EWC BWZ TEB ISP
EWR JFK
RAV ETX SBJ ISP
J80 Offset
JSTfor ZID HAR Deps
PTW ARD RBV WAVEY
LRP
IHD
PHL CYN
OOD
MGW
EMI
MRB
ESL BAL ENO
SIE
AML
LDN ATR
OTT
CSN JFK Satellite
South Deps
BRV PXT SBY

GVE SWL
MOL

FAK RIC HCM

HPW CCV
LYH

ORF

Figure 7-1. Integrated Airspace Alternative Overview

7-1

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The TAAM implementation of the Integrated Airspace Alternative is based on airspace
and airport modifications to the validated Future No Action Alternative TAAM models.
Detailed operational TAAM modeling of this alternative was conducted for the highest-
traffic subset of the airports (JFK, LGA, ISP, HPN, EWR, PHL, TEB and MMU) to be
studied in the Environmental Impact Statement. As part of the model development, the
departure and arrival routes were provided by the redesign team. The terminal arrival and
departure procedures were based on modifications to the current procedures as coordinated
and validated by the redesign team.
Based on the destination airport, the modeled departures typically use the same jet route
and departure fix as in the Future No Action Alternative. The departure route and departure
fix usage modeled in TAAM is described in Section 7.2. The specific en route and terminal
arrival and departure profiles modeled in TAAM is described in Section 7.3.

7.2 Airspace
In this alternative, NY metro departures to the north and east, and oceanic departures as
well as all PHL departures are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative as shown in
Figure 7-2. The purple lines in the figure highlight the Integrated Airspace Alternative
differences from the Future No Action Alternative. West departures from NY metro airports
have an additional departure fix. Additionally, a jet route parallel to J80 is available in this
alternative for NY metro and PHL departures for ZID internal airports. JFK satellite
departures to the south are given separate routes from JFK departures and the routes are
separated earlier depending on the destination (over water on J209 or over land on J79).

7-2

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 J95 NY/NJ Departures
JFK & Sat. West Departures
JFK Sat. South Departures
J223 PHL Departures
J36

GAYEL GREKI
MERIT
J60 COATE NEION
BAYYS
To Europe
ELIOT Offset
2nd ELIOT
PARKE Offset
J64 LANNA Offset
BIGGY Offset BETTE/HAPIE
J80 Offset RBV
PTW WAVEY SHIPP
MXE DITCH WHITE
J80 STOEN

J6
OOD To Europe,
Bermuda,
Caribbean
J48 J75

To Florida,
Caribbean
To J79 To J209

Figure 7-2. Integrated Airspace

7.2.1 West Departures

In this alternative as shown in Figure 7-3, NY metro departures to the west have one
additional departure fix (2nd ELIOT). In order to accommodate this additional fix, the
locations of the existing four west departure fixes (ELIOT, PARKE, LANNA, and BIGGY)
are shifted slightly. These shifted fixes are shown in Figure 7-3 as ELIOT Offset, PARKE
Offset, LANNA Offset and BIGGY Offset. The additional fix (2nd ELIOT) allows the
ELIOT departures in the Future No Action Alternative to be split into two streams based on
the jet route. ELIOT Offset is used for departures to J60 and J64, and 2nd ELIOT is used for
departures to J80. Furthermore, ZID internal destinations (including CMH, DAY, ILN, IND,
and LCK) from NY metro and PHL airports are assigned to a jet route offset of J80. The
departures to J6, J48, J75, and the west departures from JFK and ISP take the same routes as
in the Future No Action Alternative.

7-3

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 7-3. Integrated Airspace West Departures

7.2.2 South Departures

Figure 7-4 shows south departures are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative
except for JFK satellite departures. In the Future No Action Alternative, JFK satellite
departures merge with JFK departures south of WAVEY. In Integrated Airspace Alternative,
they are routed south from PLUME and then to the southwest. North of ATR, flights
destined to J209 turn south towards SAWED where they merge with JFK departures from
WAVEY. Flights destined to J79 continue southwest and turns south when south of ENO
and merge with other J79 bound flights at north of KATZN.

7-4

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 7-4. Integrated Airspace South Departures

7.3 Airports
The subsections below describe the en route arrival/departure profiles and the terminal
arrival/departure profiles for the Integrated Airspace Alternative for JFK, LGA, ISP, EWR,
EWR satellites (TEB and MMU), PHL, and HPN. In each subsection, there is an overall
description of en route arrival/departure profiles and an enhanced view of the modeled
terminal arrival/departure procedures. In the supporting figures, altitudes below 18,000 feet
are shown in hundreds of feet (i.e., 8,000 is shown as 80), and altitudes above 18,000 feet are
given in Flight Levels (FLs) (i.e., 19,000 feet is shown as FL190).

7.3.1 John F. Kennedy International

JFK is generally unaffected in this alternative. Arrivals and departures are exactly the
same. There are some differences in route allocation but the arrival and departures entering
the terminal area are not affected by these changes.

7-5

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

7.3.2 LaGuardia

7.3.2.1 LaGuardia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Arrival traffic to LGA in the Integrated Airspace Alternative does not change from the
Future No Action Alternative. The departure traffic changes only with respect to the west
gate as shown in Figure 7-5. In the Integrated Airspace Alternative, the ELIOT fix is split
into two fixes which feed J60 and J80. The PARKE, LANNA, and BIGGY fixes are shifted
south to allow room for the ELIOT split. The Future No Action west gate departures are in
light blue and Integrated Airspace Alternative departures are in dark blue. As in the Future
No Action Alternative, departures to the west gate must not exceed 17,000 feet except for
those flights routed over the two ELIOT fixes, which may climb as high as FL200 (FL200)
before passing through the west gate. Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet
and FLs.

170 ZBW

W est Gate
170
(ELIOTJ60/J80 ZNY
@ FL200)

ELIOTJ60
ELIOTJ80

PARKEJ6

LANNAJ48

BIGGYJ75

ZDC

Figure 7-5. Comparison of LGA West Gate Departures (Future No Action vs.
Integrated Airspace)

7-6

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 7.3.2.2 LaGuardia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles
Figures 7-6 and 7-7 compare the terminal arrival and departure profiles for the Future No
Action and Integrated Airspace Alternatives. The arrivals are shown in blue, and the
departures are shown in green. The arrival profiles have not changed from the Future No
Action Alternative. The departure profiles reflect the changes in alignment of the southwest
gate and the split of the ELIOT departure fix.

HPN HPN

TEB
TEB
LGA
LGA

EWR
EWR
JFK
Future No Action Alternative Integrated Airspace
JFK Alternative

Figure 7-6. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace Low Capacity LGA
Terminal Profiles

HPN

TEB
TEB
LGA LGA

EWR
EWR
Future JFK
No Action Alternative Integrated Airspace Alternative
JFK

Figure 7-7. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace High Capacity LGA
Terminal Profiles

7-7

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

7.3.3 Long Island MacArthur

7.3.3.1 Long Island MacArthur En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Arrivals are the same in the Future No Action and Integrated Airspace Alternatives.
There is no change in arrival configuration between the high and low capacity
configurations.
Figure 7-8 depicts the Integrated Airspace Alternative departure streams with their
corresponding departure gate altitudes for ISP. There is no change in departure configuration
between the high and low capacity configurations. The addition of one southern departure
stream, marked dashed green line, is the only difference between the Future No Action
Alternative departures and the Integrated Airspace Alternative departures. Altitudes in the
figure are shown in hundreds of feet.

IGN HFD
170 ORW
LHY
HUO
MAD TMU
LVZ CMK 30
NYACK BDR
SAX
STW
170 CCC HTO
BWZ LGA DPK
FJC BEADS
SBJ JFK
ETX

170 COL
PTW ARD
RBV

170
MXE
CYN
DQOOOD

Figure 7-8. Integrated Airspace ISP Departure Profile

7.3.3.2 Long Island MacArthur Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 7-9 provides a comparison of the arrival and departures for ISP for the Future No
Action and the Integrated Airspace Alternatives. The blue lines display the TAAM based
tracks for ISP arrivals. The green lines display the TAAM based tracks for ISP departures.
The high and low capacity configurations are the same for ISP. The addition of one southern
departure stream for the Integrated Airspace Alternative is shown in the figure.

7-8

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN

HPN

LGA ISP

LGA ISP
JFK
JFK

Future No Action Alternative Integrated Airspace Alternative

Figure 7-9. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace ISP Terminal Profiles

7.3.4 Newark Liberty International

7.3.4.1 Newark En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 7-10 shows the overall Integrated Airspace Alternative en route EWR route
structures and altitude profiles that were modeled in TAAM. The arrival fixes and arrival
routes are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative except for a new EWR/EWR-
satellite route for propeller-driven aircraft from the HFD NAVAID to south of HUO. This
creates a more direct route to the airports along with allowing HPN arrivals and departures
on ILS 16 an easier route in and out of the airport. Altitude restrictions are the same as in the
Future No Action Alternative

Figure 7-10. Integrated Airspace EWR Arrivals

7-9

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 7-11 shows the Integrated Airspace Alternative EWR departure routes and
associated gate altitude. The north, south and east gates are unchanged from the Future No
Action Alternative. There is slight realignment of the southwest gate to provide a new
departure fix and airway from ELIOT to DIMMO, relieving congestion over present day
ELIOT. This realignment and the departure route assignments are discussed Section 7.2. As
in the Future No Action Alternative, aircraft must not climb above 17,000 feet until after
they reach the gate. Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet.

Figure 7-11. Integrated Airspace EWR Departures

7.3.4.2 Newark Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 7-12 and 7-13 compare the terminal arrival and departure profiles for the Future
No Action and the Integrated Airspace Alternatives. The blue lines display the TAAM-based
tracks for EWR arrivals via Runways 04R/22L and 11, and the green lines display the
TAAM-based tracks for the EWR departures for Runways 04L/22R and 29. The arrival
profiles have not changed from the Future No Action Alternative. The departure profile
reflects the changes in alignment of the southwest gate.

7-10

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN HPN

TEB TEB
MMU LGA MMU LGA
EWR EWR
JFK JFK

Future No ActionCOL
Alternative Integrated Airspace Alternative
COL

Figure 7-12. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace Low Capacity EWR
Terminal Profiles
For the high capacity configuration, Runway 22R departures for Integrated Airspace
Alternative are different from the Future No Action Alternative. In the Future No Action
Alternative, all Runway 22R departures take a 190-degree heading when they reach 400 feet
in altitude, then they take a 220-degree heading when they are 2.3 NM from the airport.
Thus, for the Future No Action Alternative, all departures are in-trail initially. For the high
capacity configuration, Runway 22R departures are fanned in the same way as in the
Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative. Table 5-1 in Section 5.3.4.2 provides the
Runway 22R departure headings.

HPN
TEB
MMU
LGA
MMU LGA
EWR JFK EWR
JF

COL
Future No Action Alternative Integrated Airspace Alternative

Figure 7-13. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace High Capacity EWR
Terminal Profiles

7-11

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

7.3.5 Newark Liberty International Satellites (TEB and MMU)

7.3.5.1 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 7-14 shows the overall Integrated Airspace Alternative en route TEB and MMU
arrival routes that were modeled in TAAM for both the low capacity and high capacity
configurations. TEB is shown in blue. The MMU routes, where different from TEB, are
shown in red.
The routes are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative except for a new
EWR/EWR-satellite arrival route for propeller-driven aircraft from the east as shown in
green in Figure 7-13. This route creates a more direct path to the airports. It also allows HPN
arrivals and departures on ILS 16 an easier route in and out of the airport.

Figure 7-14. Integrated Airspace TEB/MMU Arrivals

Figure 7-15 shows the TEB and MMU Integrated Airspace departure routes and
associated gate altitudes for both the low capacity and high capacity configurations. The
north, south and east gates are unchanged from the Future No Action Alternative. There is
slight realignment of the southwest gate to provide a new departure fix and airway from
ELIOT to DIMMO, relieving congestion over present day ELIOT (shown in green). This
realignment and departure route assignments are discussed Section 7.2. As in the Future No
Action Alternative, aircraft must not climb above 17,000 feet until after they reach the gate.
Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet.

7-12

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 7-15. Integrated Airspace TEB/MMU Departures

7.3.5.2 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 7-16 and 7-17 compares the modeled arrival and departure procedures for the
Future No Action and Integrated Airspace Alternatives. The blue lines display the TAAM-
based tracks for TEB 06/19 arrivals, and green lines display the TAAM-based tracks for TEB
Runway 01/24 departures. Other than the new EWR/EWR-satellite arrival route for
propeller-driven aircraft from the east, the arrival profiles have not changed from the Future
No Action Alternative. The departure profile reflects the changes in alignment of the
southwest gate and the additional departure fix to the west.
HUO
HUO
C
CM

SAX
STW SAX
STW
TEB
TEB
BWZ LGA TEB
TEB
FJC BWZ LGA
JFK FJC
SBJ
Future No Action Alternative Integrated Airspace Alternative
JFK
SBJ

Figure 7-16. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace TEB Low Capacity
Terminal Profiles

7-13

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HUO

SAX CMK
STW
SAX
TEB
TEB STW
BWZ LGA
TEB
TEB
BWZ LGA
JF FJC
SBJ
Future No Action Alternative JFK
Integrated Airspace Alternative
SBJ

Figure 7-17. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace TEB High Capacity
Terminal Profiles
Figures 7-18 compares the modeled arrival and departure procedures for the Future No
Action and Integrated Airspace Alternatives. The blue lines display the TAAM-based tracks
for MMU Runway 23 arrivals, and green lines display the TAAM-based tracks for MMU
Runway 23 departures. Other than the new EWR/EWR-satellite arrival route for propeller-
driven aircraft from the east, the arrival profiles are not changed from the Future No Action
Alternative. The departure profile reflects the changes in alignment of the southwest gate
and the additional departure fix to the west.
HY
CMK
HUO

C
SAX HPN
STW SAX
STW
TEB
BWZ MMU
MMU TEB
LGA BWZ MMU
MMU LGA
EWR FJC
JFK JFK
SBJ SBJ

Figure 7-18. Integrated Airspace MMU Terminal Profile

7.3.6 Philadelphia International

PHL arrivals are generally unaffected in this alternative. PHL departures will be given
headings off the runway according to their departure fix, exactly as in the Modifications to
Existing Airspace Alternative (see Figure 5-8).

7-14

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The splitting of J80/J110 into two airways will affect departure routing, but not until the
aircraft are far from the airport.

7.3.7 Westchester County

7.3.7.1 Westchester County En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

There is only one change to the HPN arrival traffic in the Integrated Airspace Alternative
from the Future No Action Alternative. Arrivals from the south, previously routed over
BOUNO, are routed over DPK. In this alternative, it is no longer necessary for the southern
arrivals to avoid JFK airspace when the level of JFK traffic permits joint use. Figure 7-19
depicts this change to the southern arrivals. The previous route from the Future No Action
Alternative is displayed in light blue, while the Integrated Airspace Alternative route is
displayed in dark blue.

DNY CTR
BAF

IGN BDL
ZBW
VALRE NOBBI
RYMES MAD
HPN
ZNY CCC
DPK
RICED

CYN
PHL
ZDC

Figure 7-19. Comparison of HPN South Arrivals (Integrated Airspace vs. Future
No Action)
The only change from the Future No Action Alternative to the Integrated Airspace
Alternative is that the southern arrivals, those originating in the bright green area of
Figure 7-20 are routed over DPK instead of BOUNO.

7-15

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 BDR
BDR

RYMES
RYMES

VALRE
VALRE RICED
RICED

DPK
DPK

Figure 7-20. Origins of Traffic to Each HPN Arrival Fix

The indirect routing of the HPN arrival traffic insures that the flights are separated from
much of the arrival and departure traffic to the busier airports. In the instances where
crossing flows could not be avoided, altitude restrictions were employed to insure vertical
separation. The altitudes modeled for the southern arrivals over DPK are shown in
Figure 7-21. The dark blue line is the Integrated Airspace Alternative southern arrival track,
and the light blue line is the Future No Action Alternative southern arrival track.

DNY
BAF
HNK
PWL BDL

VALRE NOBBI ZBW

ZNY RYMES
HPN

DPK
RICED

COL BOUNO

ZDC
PHL CYN

Figure 7-21. HPN Arrival Altitude Restrictions

7-16

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The departure traffic in the Integrated Airspace Alternative changes from the Future No
Action Alternative only with respect to the west gate as shown in Figure 7-22. In the
Integrated Airspace Alternative, the ELIOT fix is split into two fixes which feed J60 and J80.
The PARKE, LANNA, and BIGGY fixes are shifted south to allow room for the ELIOT
split. Figure 7-22 depicts the Future No Action west gate departures in light blue and the
Integrated Airspace departures in dark blue. As in the Future No Action Alternative,
departures to the west gate must not exceed 17,000 feet. Altitudes in the figure are shown in
hundreds of feet.

ZBW

ZNY

West Gate
170
ELIOTJ60

ELIOTJ80

PARKEJ6

LANNAJ48

BIGGYJ75

ZDC

Figure 7-22. Comparison of HPN West Gate Departures (Future No Action vs.
Integrated Airspace)

7.3.7.2 Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 7-23 compares the Future No Action Alternative and Integrated Airspace
Alternative low-altitude routings in the HPN terminal airspace. The Integrated Airspace
Alternative arrival profiles reflect the change in the southern arrival route using DPK, and
the flight path from the east before turning onto the downwind is farther south. The
Integrated Airspace departure profiles reflect the changes in alignment of the southwest gate
and the split of the ELIOT departure fix.

7-17

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN
HPN

Future No Action Alternative Integrated Airspace Alternative

Figure 7-23. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace Alternative HPN Terminal
Profiles

7-18

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Section 8
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative
The TAAM implementation of the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative is based on airspace and airport modifications to the validated Future No Action
Alternative TAAM models. Detailed operational TAAM modeling of this alternative was
conducted for the highest-traffic subset of the airports (JFK, LGA, ISP, HPN, EWR, PHL,
TEB and MMU) to be studied in the Environmental Impact Statement. As part of the model
development, the departure and arrival routes were provided by the redesign team. The
terminal arrival and departure procedures were based on modifications to the current
procedures as coordinated and validated by the redesign team. A design overview is provided
in Section 8.1. Based on the destination airport, the modeled departures typically use the
same jet route and departure fix. The departure route and departure fix usage modeled in
TAAM is described in Section 8.2. The specific en route and terminal arrival and departure
profiles modeled in TAAM is described in Section 8.3.

8.1 Design Overview

This alternative is a fundamental redesign of the airspace from New York to
Philadelphia. As shown in Figure 8-1, it envisions a large area, up to FL230 in some places,
using terminal separation rules, with a higher-altitude portion (up to FL350) operating like an
Air Route Traffic Control Center. The airspace will comprise most of the current New York
TRACON and Center, several sectors from ZDC, and several sectors from ZBW. The
current New York TRACON and en route Center will lose their separate identities, as they
are merged into a single facility that has some features of each. The Philadelphia TRACON
will continue to exist as a separate facility, also using terminal separation rules in its
expanded airspace. Airspace over the top of the integrated control complex will be
controlled by other ARTCCs.

8-1

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 170
170

230
230

100
100
170
170 180-230
180-230

100
100

80
80 230
230

350
350
270
270
200-350
200-350 280
280
190
190

200-350
200-350
280
280
240-350
240-350

Figure 8-1. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Airspace

Fanning of departures to reduce inter-departure spacing is a feature of this alternative,

just as for the “Modifications to Existing Airspace” Alternative.
The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative will see significant
improvements in routing, coordination among controllers, delay absorption strategies
(especially holding) on arrivals, and use of departure fixes. Other facilities will also see
benefits as constraints on their operation caused by congestion in NY are relieved. These
improvements are discussed in the following subsections.

8.1.1 Routing
The Integrated Airspace with the Integrated Control Complex, because it is no longer
constrained by existing facility boundaries, has more fixes than the current operation. As
shown in Figure 8-2, there are three north departure fixes (as today, but some of the current
traffic is sent out the expanded west gate), three east departure fixes (up from two), six west
departure fixes (up from four), and two south departure fixes (up from one). The west gate
fixes that serve more than one jet airway are split. In addition, transatlantic traffic from
EWR is permitted access to oceanic fixes that are currently available only to JFK departures.

8-2

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN

MMUTEB
LGA ISP
EW R JFK

PHL

NY/NJ Dep Routes

PHL Dep Routes

Figure 8-2. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Departure

Routes
JFK arrivals from the Pacific Rim via Canada are no longer routed over top of New York
City (currently via IGN (Kingston)). Rather, they come in from the east as shown in
Figure 8-3. As a result, the LENDY position is no longer merging two arrival streams. This
means JFK and ISP can send traffic to the West gate, which permits RBV’s current load to
be split among six fixes.

IGN

LENDY

Existing JFK Arrivals

Future No Action
Alternative Arrivals

Integrated Airspace
with Integrated
Control Complex
Alternative Arrivals

Figure 8-3. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex JFK Arrival
Routes

8-3

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

8.1.2 Coordination Among Controllers
In the current airspace, changing a flight’s departure fix frequently involves a three-way
teleconference among the TRACON, the Center of the original departure, and the Center of
the proposed reroute. Especially when convective weather is causing the reroute, time is
critical for the departure. The Integrated Control Complex, which puts all the involved
controllers in a common location, will permit face-to-face coordination, which makes it
much faster to approve the reroute.
Arrivals to New York City airports are currently segregated in that each airport has its
own arrival airspace. As a result, when traffic is light at one airport, that airspace is unused.
If another airport is busy, its arrival controllers cannot take advantage of the unused airspace
to solve their own congestion problems. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative will permit the creation of integrated areas of specialization handling
arrivals over the last 100-200 miles of their flights, where coordination among the various
sectors can be more readily accomplished.

8.1.3 Delay Absorption Techniques

With several facilities controlling arrivals to New York City, there are severe limits on
the ways that sequencing delay can be absorbed. The first to be tried is speed reduction and
vectoring in the approach control airspace. When this is insufficient, the en route Centers
begin to slow aircraft. The last resort is holding in the Center. There is no place to hold in
the NY TRACON. These techniques are different, and small differences in how and when
each is brought to bear can have large impacts on the efficiency of the operation. (At some
point, of course, traffic flow management comes into the picture, which adds yet another
layer of complexity.)
With the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, controllers
can make smooth transitions between delay absorption techniques. There are no gaps at
handoff, during which neither controller can alter the aircraft’s path. Perhaps most important
is that, when it is necessary, holding takes place under terminal separation rules.
Holding using terminal rules is so much more efficient than holding en route that it almost
qualifies as an additional technique. For example, an aircraft holding in en route airspace
must hold for a multiple of four minutes (one lap around the pattern), even if only one minute
is needed. In terminal airspace, by contrast, aircraft may be taken out of the holding pattern
at any time and in any order.
Arrivals from ZNY to EWR and LGA currently come in directly from the west, over the
PENNS and LIZZI fixes, respectively. Under this alternative, the arrivals will be split into a
north-side stream and a south-side stream as shown in Figure 8-4. These two arrival
streams will be sequenced with other arrival streams farther from the airport. The
current arrivals from ZDC will be merged with the south half; current arrivals from ZBW
will be merged with the north half, after which the track to the airport should see much less
8-4

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

vectoring of aircraft. The distance flown at low altitudes as the aircraft approach the airport
should be shorter. The aircraft should remain higher for longer, which is more fuel-efficient.

PENNS
LIZZI
Existing EWR Arrivals

Existing LGA ArrivalsFuture No Action EWR

Arrivals

Future No Action LGA Arrivals

Integrated Airspace with

Integrated Control Complex
EWR Arrivals

Integrated Airspace with

Integrated Control Complex
LGA Arrivals

Figure 8-4. Integrated Airspace With Integrated Control Complex JFK and EWR
Arrival Routes

8.1.4 Use of Departure Fixes

In today’s airspace, where the TRACON has to hand off to the Center, a departure fix is
typically used by a single aircraft at a time. That is, when two aircraft going to the same
route are separated in altitude the requirements of safety have been met, but some separation
in trail is also necessary or the traffic would overload the first en route sector. With terminal
separation rules in force on both sides of the departure fix, as is planned in the Integrated
Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, there will usually be no need to put
lower-altitude flights in trail with higher-altitude flights. For example, out the west gate,
departures from LGA and JFK have flown about 15 miles farther since takeoff than EWR
departures. They will therefore be higher in altitude. If the airspace can handle two separate
layers of departures, it reduces the frequency with which high traffic at one airport causes
delays at another. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative will
accept two layers of traffic out most fixes: one at FL220, the other above FL230. The
aircraft should remain higher for longer, which is more fuel-efficient.

8.1.5 Benefits in Other Facilities

Currently, south departures from LGA and EWR (and their satellites) use the WHITE fix.
JFK departures use the WAVEY fix. These fixes are widely separated, and there are arrival
streams between them. Under the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
8-5

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Alternative, the two South fixes are close together as shown in Figure 8-5. Therefore, traffic
can be assigned to a fix on the basis of its jet airway, not its departure airport. Under the
current airspace design, ZDC gets flights from EWR to Miami on the west side of flights
from JFK to Orlando, though these flights would be more efficiently handled if they were on
the east side. ZDC must work a switch near Norfolk, VA, which leads to well-known
workload problems. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
permits this switch to be done just after takeoff, where separation requirements are smaller.

Future No Action
Alternative

Integrated Airspace
with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative

Figure 8-5. White and Wavey Departures

Flights from New York City to Washington Dulles currently use the same route as flights
from Europe to Dulles. Since there is only room for one route to Dulles at those altitudes,
the two flows must be put in trail. This is not good for the transatlantic flights, which are
near the end of their range, and may not have much fuel available for holding. It is not good
for New York departures, which may experience extra delays. Under the Integrated Airspace
with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, the ZNY/ZDC border is less constraining of
departure fixes, so an additional route can be made, separating the two flows.
The merge point of flows from the northeast and northwest is moved out and raised
higher. Sequencing to the airport is done earlier, when the aircraft are at higher altitudes.
Therefore, less maneuvering is necessary at low altitudes. When holding is necessary, it is
done at more fuel-efficient altitudes.

8.2 Airspace
In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, north, west, and
south NY metro departure fixes are relocated to accommodate rearranged west arrival routes
as shown in Figure 8-6. The number of NY metropolitan departure fixes to west is increased
to six. JFK and its satellites are given direct access to the west gate. The number of west jet

8-6

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

routes is increased to eight. In this alternative, two south departure fixes are relocated closer
to each other than they would be in the Future No Action Alternative, enabling the earlier
segregation of route based on the destination. EWR and its satellite departures are given an
access to oceanic departure fixes.
PHL departure routes to north west are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative
except for slightly relocated turn points. PHL east departures fly more directly to the
northeast and PHL southwest departures are segregated into three streams (J80 offset, J80
and J6, and J48 and J75) earlier.

NY/NJ Departures NY/NJ Departures

JFK & Sat. West Departures JFK Sat. South Departures
PHL Departures PHL Departures
J95 J95
N1W
J223
J36 J36 N1E E1
N3 E2
PHL-N2 E3
J60 PHL-N To Europe W2
W3
PHL-N1 E3a To Europe
PHL-E2 PHL-E1 W4 PHL-E2
PHL-E1
J64
J80 Offset
J80 To Europe, J80
J6 J6 To Europe,
Bermuda, Bermuda,
J48 J75 Caribbean J48 J75 S1 Caribbean
S2E
To Florida, S2W To Florida,
To J79 To J209 Caribbean To J79 To J209 Caribbean

Future No Action Alternative Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative

Figure 8-6. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Departure Routes

8-7

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Table 8-1 contains the mapping among departure route, origin, and destination.

Table 8-1. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Departure Routes
Route Origin Typical Destinations
NY metro SYR, PANC and Asia, DTW Satellites, MSP,
N1E
CYYZ and Pacific NW, FNT
N1C NY metro ROC, BUF, MSN, SLC, SFO, SJC
N1W NY metro DTW
North NY metro SLC, SJC, SFO, MKE, FAR, MSN, GRB,
N2
OAK
N3 NY metro ORD and ORD North Satellites
PHL-N1 PHL SYR, BGM, ELM, AVP
PHL-N2 PHL CYYZ, ROC, BUF
NY metro ZOB Internals, ORD South Satellites
W2
PHL Pacific NW, MKE, MSP, CLE and Satellites
NY metro Current J60, DEN
W3
PHL ORD
NY metro Current J64 and J80, West Coast
W4
West PHL Current J64, West Coast, DTW
J80 Offset NY metro, PHL ZID internal airports except CVG
J80 PHL Current J110
J6 NY metro, PHL Current J6 and CVG
J48 NY metro, PHL Current J48
J75 NY metro, PHL Current J75
NY metro, PHL Florida over water, Caribbean and South
S1
America
South
S2E NY metro, PHL ZTL, ZJX and Florida over land
S2W NY metro ZDC internal airports south of PCT
E3 NY metro BOS
E3A NY metro PVD and Cape Cod Area
E2 NY metro Eastern ZBW
East
E1 NY metro Northern ZBW
PHL-E1 PHL North Atlantic, LEB, PWM, ORH, BGR
PHL-E2 PHL CYUL, CYOW, ALB, BTV, MHT
BETTE/HAPIE NY metro North Atlantic
Oceanic
SHIPP NY metro Caribbean, South America

8-8

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

8.2.1 North Departures from NY Metro Airports
In this alternative, three north gates serve five main departure routes. Destinations served
by J95 in the Future No Action Alternative are divided into N1E and N1C. N1C also serves
destinations served by J36 in the Future No Action Alternative (FNT, AZO, AMN, OAK.
SLC, MKE). Departures to DTW are given an independent route (N1W). ORD and its
northern satellites are given N3 as an independent route. N2 serves those departures that
currently compete with ORD traffic on J36 (which is preserved in the Future No Action
Alternative).

8.2.2 North Departures from PHL

North departures from PHL take PTW. Flights destined to eastern up state NY
(including BGM, ELM, AVP, and SYR) are routed directly north from PTW. Flights
destined to CYYZ, ROC, and BUF fly northwest from PTW with west departures to W2,
W3, and W4, and continue northwest after all the west departures turn west.

8.2.3 West Departures from NY Metro Airports

In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, six departure
fixes serve current west departures as shown in Figure 8-7. The northern most departure fix
serves two departure routes: W2 and W3. NY metro departures, including those to
destinations in ZOB as well as ORD south satellites such as MDW and DPA, (currently
assigned to J36, J60, and J64), are assigned to W2. PHL departures to the Pacific and
northwest (SEA, SLC, PTK, MDW, MKE, MSP, CLE and its satellites) merge with W2
about 25 NM northeast of MIP. NY metro departures to destinations currently served by
J60, such as DSM, OMA, SUX, and DEN are assigned to W3 in this alternative. W3 is also
used by PHL departures to ORD.
The second west departure serves W4. W4 is for NY metro and PHL departures to the
destinations currently served by J64 and J80 (such as LAX, LGB, OAK, ONT, PHX, SAN,
SNA, VNY) and also PHL departures to DTW. Destinations in ZID that are currently served
by J80 are given a separate departure route that is parallel to and north of J80. J80 is used for
PHL departures to destinations currently served by J80 such as DEN, LAS, LAX, PHL, PIT,
SFP, STL, and TUL. J48, J75, and J6 serve the same destination as Future No Action
Alternative. J6 departures also include flights to CVG.

8-9

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 NY/NJ Departures
PHL Departures
W2
W3
W4

J80 Offset

J80

J6

J48
J75

Figure 8-7. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex West Departures

8.2.4 West Departures from PHL

West PHL departures segregated into three streams. The northernmost departure fix
serves the J80 offset route; the middle departure fix serves J80 and J6 departures, and the
southern most departure fix serves J48 and J75 departures.

8-10

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 8-8. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex South
Departures

8.2.4 East Departures from NY Metro Airports

EWR has an access to BETTE/HAPIE. BOS departures are routed to BAYYS rather
than MERIT as in Future No Action Alternative.

8.2.5 East Departures from PHL

East departures from PHL take the same departure fix, DITCH, as in the Future No
Action Alternative. The route splits to the north (departures to CYUL, CYOW, ALB, BTV,
MHT, and BOS) and to east (departures to North Atlantic Route and eastern ZBW including
BGR, ORH, LEB, and PWM) at northeast of CYN.

8.3 Airports
The subsections below describe the en route arrival/departure profiles and the terminal
arrival/departure profiles for the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative for JFK, LGA, ISP, EWR, EWR satellites (TEB and MMU), PHL, and HPN. In
each subsection, there is an overall description of en route arrival/departure profiles and an
enhanced view of the modeled terminal arrival/departure procedures. In the supporting
figures, altitudes below 18,000 feet are shown in hundreds of feet (i.e., 8,000 is shown as

8-11

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

80), and altitudes above 18,000 feet are given in Flight Levels (FLs) (i.e. 19,000 feet is
shown as FL190).

8.3.1 John F. Kennedy International

8.3.1.1 John F. Kennedy En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 8-9 shows the JFK arrival routes for the Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Control Complex Alternative. In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex,
the IGN and LENDY merge is removed and traffic arriving from Canada and the Pacific Rim
arrive from the east.
IGN HFD
ORW
HUO
MAD TMU
LE ZBW
ND
Y CCC HTO
BWZ LGA DPK
ROBER
SBJ JFK

COL
ARD RBV
ZNY
ZDC
N
GI

MR
ZIG

CA

OOD
VCN
ACY

Figure 8-9. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex JFK Arrivals
Figure 8-10 depicts the arrival fixes used from different regions to arrive at JFK in the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative. Arrivals from Europe
come from the northeast corner via ROBER; arrivals from South America and the Caribbean
come in via CAMRN; and arrivals from the west use LENDY.

8-12

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 LENDY
LENDY ROBER
ROBER

CAMRN
CAMRN

Figure 8-10. Origins of Traffic to Each JFK Arrival Fix

Figure 8-11 shows the altitude restrictions in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Control Complex Alternative for en route JFK arrivals for both the high and low capacity
configurations. Note that in this alternative all of the arrival altitudes for JFK are higher in
comparison to the Future No Action Alternative. Altitudes in the figure are shown in
hundreds of feet.
HUO
230 MAD
ZBW
270 LEN 210
DY
LENDY CCC HTO
BWZ LGA DPK
FJC ROBER
SBJ JFK
90

COL
TW ARD
RBV
110 ZNY
ZDC 110
GI

N
ZIG

MR

OOD
CA

VCN
ACY

Figure 8-11. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex JFK Arrivals
Figure 8-12 shows the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
en route JFK departure routes and departure gate altitude profiles for both configurations that
were implemented in TAAM. Traffic going westbound from JFK now has access to
additional westbound departure fixes that were not available in the Future No Action,
Modifications to Existing Airspace, or the Integrated Airspace Alternatives. Altitudes in the
figure are shown in hundreds of feet and FLs.
8-13

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 CFB DNY BAF
HNK
BDL PUT

PVD
IGN HFD
FL200 FL200 ORW
LHY
HUO
CMK MAD TMU
LVZ
FL200 BDR SEY
SAX
STW CCC HTO
BWZ LGA DPK
FJC
ETX SBJ JFK

COL FL200
PTW ARD RBV
LRP
FL200
MXE
CYN
DQO

Figure 8-12. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex JFK

Departures

8.3.1.2 John F. Kennedy Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 8-13 and 8-14 compare the modeled Future No Action Alternative and Integrated
Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative tracks for the low and high capacity
configurations at JFK. The blue lines display the TAAM based tracks for JFK arrivals. The
green lines display the TAAM based tracks for JFK departures. Note the additional
westbound departures in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative in comparison to the Future No Action Alternative.

HPN

TEB HPN
MMU LGA ISP
EWR
JFK MMU LGA ISP
EWR
JFK

Integrated Airspace with Integrated

Future No Action Alternative PHL Control Complex Alternative

Figure 8-13. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Low Capacity Configuration JFK Terminal Profiles
8-14

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN

TEB HPN
MMU LGA ISP
EWR
JFK MMU LGA ISP
EWR
JFK

Integrated Airspace with Integrated

Future No Action Alternative Control Complex Alternative
PHL

Figure 8-14. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex High Capacity Configuration JFK Terminal Profiles

8.3.2 LaGuardia

8.3.2.1 LaGuardia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, the western
arrivals to LaGuardia, merging over MIP in the Future No Action Alternative, have been
split into two separate arrival streams. Figure 8-15 shows a comparison of the Integrated
Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative (shown in dark blue) and the Future
No Action Alternative (shown in light blue) arrivals. The northern stream merges with the
northern arrivals at VALRE. The southern stream, which is pushed farther south than the
Future No Action Alternative route, arrives over ETX, merging at RBV with the southern
arrivals. This is done in order to make room for the additional departure streams while
maintaining the separation of the arrival and departure flows. Arrivals over DNY are pushed
north and east of the Future No Action flow to allow room for the EWR arrivals. Northern
arrival flows, those over DNY and ALB merge farther from the airport, at ATHOS instead of
TRESA, and are moved east of the Future No Action flow. This allows more room for the
HPN departures to climb, looping over the HPN field, as well as for the LGA departures to
climb.

8-15

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 ALB
DNY
ITH CTR
ATHOS BAF
IGN TRESA BDL

HFD
VALRE
ZNY NOBBI
MIP
CCC
LGA
ETX ZBW
NESOM

RBV
PHL CYN

ZDC
ENO

Figure 8-15. Comparison of LGA Arrivals (Integrated Airspace with Integrated

Control Complex vs. Future No Action)
The ZDC and ZNY arrival routes in Figure 8-16 are the end of several stages of
converging routes. Upstream Centers, particularly ZDC and ZOB, structure the traffic so the
sectors closest to New York, with their limited airspace, can focus on sequencing. Each
arrival route ends up with traffic from a region of the U.S., like a watershed. Figure 8-16
shows the watersheds for the arrival routes to LGA. (Distance restrictions on LaGuardia
arrivals prevent traffic from points in the U.S. farther west than Denver.) The areas for
VALRE and RBV extend outward beyond the borders of the map: arrivals from eastern
Canada are routed to VALRE; arrivals from the Caribbean and Bahamas come in via RBV.

8-16

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Jets:
Jets: VALRE
VALRE
Props:
Props: NOBBI
NOBBI

RBV
RBV

Figure 8-16. Origins of Traffic to Each LGA Arrival Fix

The altitude profiles for this alternative, displayed in Figure 8-17 are little changed from
the Future No Action Alternative. Despite the additional arrival routes and the shifting of the
present routes, the same relative altitude restrictions are still necessary to maintain proper
separation with other New York and Philadelphia traffic. Altitudes in the figure are shown in
hundreds of feet and Flight Levels.

ALB
DNY
ITH FL
19 80
0 FL1
BAF
170
130 BDL
FL180 13 10
0 0 120 HFD
VALRE 090
MIP ZNY NOBBI

CCC
60 LGA
FL2 ETX ZBW
NESOM
130 120
110
080 RBV
PHL 100
140
130
ZDC
FL240

Figure 8-17. LGA Arrival Altitude Restrictions

8-17

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 8-18 shows the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex LGA
departure routes and associated gate altitude. In this figure, the Integrated Airspace with
Integrated Control Complex Alternative tracks are shown in dark blue, Future No Action
Alternative are shown in light blue, and unchanged routes are depicted in dark grey.
In this alternative, departures to the east climb to FL220 (versus 17,000 in the Future No
Action Alternative), and departures to the north, west and south climb to FL230. Despite
using the west gate, flights from LGA to IAD are restricted to FL220, while those to DCA
and BWI are restricted to FL200. Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet.

North Gate East Gate

FL230 FL220

ZNY

ZBW

LGA
SHIPP
FL220

W est Gate
FL230 South Gate
FL230
ZDC

Figure 8-18. LGA Departure Profile Comparison (Integrated Airspace with

Integrated Control Complex vs. Future No Action)
The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, because it is no
longer constrained by facility boundaries, also has more fixes than the current operation. In
this alternative, there are three north departure fixes (as today, but some of the current traffic
is sent out the expanded west gate), three east departure fixes (up from two), six west
departure fixes (up from four), and two south departure fixes (up from one). The west gate
fixes that serve more than one jet airway are split. Departures to the east are shifted south of
their Future No Action placement in order to allow room for the LGA arrival streams.
Northern departures are shifted farther north of the Future No Action routing to allow more
space for EWR traffic.

8-18

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 8.3.2.2 LaGuardia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles
Figures 8-19 and 8-20 compare the low-altitude routings in the LaGuardia terminal
airspace for the Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternatives. The blue lines display the TAAM based tracks for LGA arrivals and the green
lines display the TAAM based tracks for LGA departures.
As discussed in Section 3.10.2, in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative low capacity configuration, departures off of Runway 4 are fanned into
four headings. Moreover, southern arrivals to Runway 31 cross over the LGA airport to
vector to the northeast, where they are merged with the arrivals from the north. This allows
arrival traffic to avoid the JFK arrivals to the south while remaining below the JFK
departures traveling north.
In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex high capacity configuration
the southern arrivals to Runway 22 follow the Hudson River north, staying east of the EWR
airspace. Once north of LGA, they are merged with the arrivals from the north for final
approach. All departures in the high capacity configuration at LGA follow the same climb
out of the airport. Once they are approximately 15 miles northeast of LGA, they begin to
vector to their respective departure gates.
HPN HPN

TEB TEB

LGA LGA

EWR EWR
Integrated Airspace
JFK with Integrated
JFK Control
Future No Action Alternative Complex Alternative

Figure 8-19. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative Low Capacity LGA Terminal Profiles

8-19

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN HPN

TEB TEB
LGA
LGA

EWR Integrated Airspace with

EWR
JFK
Integrated Control Complex
Future No Action Alternative Alternative
JFK

Figure 8-20. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative High Capacity LGA Terminal Profiles

8.3.3 Long Island MacArthur

8.3.3.1 Long Island MacArthur En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 8-21 depicts the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
arrival streams with their corresponding altitudes for ISP. ISP arrivals are the same as in the
Future No Action Alternative except that in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative the arrivals are allowed to cross over LENDY. There is no change in
configuration between the high and low capacity configurations. Altitudes in the figure are
shown in hundreds of feet.

230

130
190
230
ZBW 110
50
210
LENDY

70

ZNY
150

ZDC 210

Figure 8-21. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex ISP Arrival
Profile

8-20

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 8-22 depicts the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
departure streams with their corresponding departure gate altitudes for ISP. There is no
change in configuration between the high and low capacity configurations. The departures in
this alternative have a single southern departure stream versus multiple southern departure
streams as in the Future No Action Alternative. Altitudes in the figure are shown in
hundreds of feet.

CFB DNY BAF

HNK 170
170 BDL PUT
170 PVD
IGN HFD
ORW
LHY
HUO
LVZ CMK MAD TMU
BDR SEY
SAX
CCC HTO
BWZ DPK
LGA
ETX SBJ JFK
170
ARD COL
PTW
LRP
170
MXE
CYN

Figure 8-22. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex ISP Departure
Profile

8.3.3.2 Long Island MacArthur Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 8-23 provides a comparison of the arrival and departures for ISP for the Future No
Action and the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternatives. The blue
lines display the TAAM based tracks for ISP arrivals. The green lines display the TAAM
based tracks for ISP departures. The high and low capacity configurations are the same for
ISP.
HPN
HPN

B DPK
LGA ISP
LGA ISP

JFK
JFK

Future No Action Alternative Integrated Airspace Alternative

Figure 8-23. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex ISP Terminal Profiles
8-21

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

8.3.4 Newark Liberty International

8.3.4.1 En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Arrivals from ZNY to EWR currently come in directly from the west over PENNS.
Under this alternative, the arrivals are split into a north-side stream and a south-side stream.
These two arrival streams are sequenced with other arrival streams farther from the airport.
The current arrivals from ZDC are merged with the south half; current arrivals from ZBW
are merged with the north half.
The ZDC and ZNY and ZBW arrival routes are shown in Figure 8-24. The routes are the
end of several stages of converging routes. Each arrival route ends up with traffic from a
region of the world, like a watershed. Figure 8-25 shows the watersheds for the arrival
routes to EWR. Each area extends outward beyond the borders of the map; for example,
arrivals from Europe and eastern Canada arrive via IEAN1.

ALB

BAF
HNK
ZNY
IEAW2 IEAN1
FQM LVZ

EWR
EWR
ZBW
D
AR

DQO
ACY
BAL ENO ZDC

Figure 8-24. EWR Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Arrivals

8-22

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 8-25. Origins of Traffic to Each EWR Arrival Fix
The major flows were modeled by explicit altitude requirements at many fixes. Low-
altitude flows were modeled by limiting the requested altitude in the flight plans. Figure 8-26
shows the most important altitude restrictions en route, expressed in hundreds of feet and
FLs. An additional restriction is west of the map, requiring ZOB to hand off arrivals at
FL370 or below. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
allows arrivals to fly at a higher altitude for a longer time than the Future No Action
Alternative.
The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, because it is no longer
constrained by facility boundaries also has more departure fixes than the current operation.
There are three north departure fixes (as today, but some of the current traffic is sent out the
expanded west gate), three east departure fixes (up from two), six west departure fixes (up
from four), and two south departure fixes. The west gate fixes that serve more than one jet
airway are split. In addition, transatlantic traffic from EWR will be permitted access to
oceanic fixes that are currently available only to JFK departures.

8-23

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 190 180
200
ZNY 150 160

140
190 170 120
IEAW2 110
120 IEAN1

ZBW
EWR
EWR

D
AR
110
140
180
190
230 220

270

ZDC

Figure 8-26. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex EWR Altitude
Restrictions
Figure 8-27 shows the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
EWR departure routes and associated gate altitude. In this alternative, departures to the west
and south climb to FL220 (versus 17,000 feet in the Future No Action Alternative), and east
departures climb to 8000 feet before turning and climbing unrestricted. Jet departures to
DCA climb to FL200 while propeller-driven aircraft climb to 16,000 feet.

Figure 8-27. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex EWR Departure
Profile

8-24

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 8.3.4.2 Newark Liberty International Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles
Figures 8-28 and 8-29 compare the arrival and departure procedures for the Future No
Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternatives. The blue
lines display the TAAM-based tracks for EWR arrivals, and the green lines display the
TAAM-based tracks for the EWR departures.
In terms of Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, additional
vectoring area to the south of EWR is provided for low capacity arrivals, and the use of dual
arrival Runways 04R/04L is allowed. Runway 04L departures have been modified to
accommodate the additional departure and oceanic fixes and can fly at a higher altitude than
the Future No Action Alternative at the gate.
For the high capacity configuration, Runway 22R departures are fanned in the same way
as in the Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative. Table 5-1 in Section 5.3.4.2
provides the headings used for this alternative.
CM

HPN
SAX
STW

TEB TEB
MMU BWZ LGA
LGA
EWR
EWR
EWR JFK
JFK SBJ

Integrated Airspace with

COL
Future No ActionCOL
Alternative ARD Integrated Control Complex
RBV
Alternative

Figure 8-28. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex EWR Low Capacity Terminal Profiles

8-25

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 CM

SAX
HPN STW

TEB
BWZ LGA
MMU LGA EWR
EWR
JFK
EWR JFK SBJ

Integrated Airspace with

COL
COL
Future No Action Alternative ARDIntegrated Control Complex
RBV
Alternative

Figure 8-29. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex EWR High Capacity Terminal Profiles

8.3.5 Newark Liberty International Satellites (TEB and MMU)

8.3.5.1 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 8-30 displays the TEB/MMU arrival routes. MMU routes that differ from TEB are
shown in purple.
Similar to EWR, TEB and MMU jet arrivals are organized into three corner posts. Each
Center feeding the New York TRACON has its own corner post fix: ZDC routes aircraft
over BWZ; ZNY routes aircraft over BWZ; and ZBW routes aircraft over IJTN1. The
heaviest flow of traffic is from the south.

Figure 8-30. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex TEB/MMU

Arrivals
8-26

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Low-altitude arrivals, whether jets or props, are segregated over a subsidiary fix. From
ZBW, low altitude flights from New England fly via ISTUFFA. From ZNY low altitude
flights from NY fly via STW. TEB arrival routes in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Control Complex Alternative are realigned from the Future No Action Alternative to allow
for segregation of EWR and satellite arrivals. This realignment reduces the complexity of
mixing different airports’ arrivals within the same airspace.
Each arrival route ends up with traffic from a region of the world, like a watershed.
Figure 8-31 shows the watersheds for the arrival routes to TEB and MMU. Each area
extends outward beyond the borders of the map. For example, arrivals from Canada come
from the northeast corner via IJTN1.

Figure 8-31. Origins of Traffic to Each TEB/MMU Arrival Fix

Similar to the approach in Future No Action, the major flows were modeled by explicit
altitude requirements at many fixes. Low-altitude flows were modeled by limiting the
requested altitude in the flight plans. Figure 8-32 shows the most important altitude
restrictions en route, expressed in hundreds of feet. TEB routes are shown in blue; MMU
routes, where different, are shown in purple. An additional restriction is west of the map,
requiring ZOB to hand off arrivals at FL370 or below. The Integrated Airspace with
Integrated Control Complex Alternative allows arrivals to fly at a higher altitude for a longer
time than Future No Action Alternative.

8-27

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure 8-32. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex TEB/MMU
Arrival Altitude Restrictions
Figure 8-33 shows the TEB Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
departure routes and associated gate altitudes for both the low capacity and high capacity
configurations for TEB and MMU. The blue lines in the figure are TEB; the purple lines are
MMU. In this alternative, there are two additional departure fixes to the west. Departures to
the north and west climb to FL220 (versus 17,000 in Future No Action). East departures
climb to 8,000 feet before turning and climbing unrestricted. Jet departures to DCA climb to
FL200 while propeller-driven aircraft climb to 16,000 feet.

Figure 8-33. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex TEB Departure
Profile

8.3.5.2 Teterboro and Morristown Municipal Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figures 8-34 and 8-35 compare the arrival and departure procedures for the TEB Future
No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternatives. The blue
8-28

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

lines display the TAAM-based tracks for TEB arrivals, and the green lines display the
TAAM-based tracks for the TEB departures. The arrival profile reflects the realignment of
routes from the Future No Action Alternative. The departure profile reflects the changes in
alignment of the departure gates and the two additional departure fixes to the west. TEB west
departures in this alternative fly to a single gate before heading west or southwest. TEB
arrivals from the south are shifted slightly more west to BWZ.
HUO
HUO
C
CMK

SAX SAX
STW STW

TEB
TEB
TEB BWZ LGA
BWZ LGA
FJC
FJC JFK
Integrated
SBJ Airspace with
JFK
SBJ Integrated Control Complex
Future No Action Alternative Alternative
COL

Figure 8-34. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Low Capacity TEB Terminal Profiles
HY
HUO
C
SAX
STW
SAX
STW
TEB
TEB
BWZ TEB
LGA BWZ LGA
FJC
JFK
JF SBJ
SBJ
Future No Action Alternative Integrated Airspace Alternative

Figure 8-35. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex High Capacity TEB Terminal Profiles
Figures 8-36 compares the arrival and departure procedures for MMU for the Future No
Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternatives. The blue
lines display the TAAM-based tracks for TEB arrivals, and the green lines display the
TAAM-based tracks for the TEB departures.
8-29

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex arrival profile reflects the
realignment of routes from the Future No Action Alternative. The associated departure
profile reflects the changes in alignment of the departure gates and the two additional
departure fixes to the west. MMU arrivals are merged to the west of the airport in the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative and to the north of the
airport in the Future No Action Alternative.

CMK

SAX H
SAX HPN STW
STW
TEB
TEB BWZ MMU
MMU LGA
BWZ MMU
MMU LGA EWR
EWR JFK
JFK SBJ
SBJ

Figure 8-36. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex MMU Terminal
Profile

8.3.6 Philadelphia International

8.3.6.1 Philadelphia En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

Under the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, there are
two major changes to PHL operations. On the arrival side, there is the addition of an arrival
route from Cleveland Center that passes over Williamsport (FQM). This route takes traffic
from the Great Lakes off the overworked BUNTS arrival fix (now relocated to BUKKS) and
brings it underneath the New York western departure flows to the vicinity of Pottstown.
Connecting airports are reassigned to arrival fixes as shown in Figure 8-37. Existing fixes
have been prefixed with an “I” to indicate that they have been slightly moved from their
current positions, so the new arrival fix is called “ISPUDS”. VOR navigation aids that serve
as fixes are prefixed with “IA” to indicate that the approach to the VOR is different from the
Future No Action Alternative. On the departure side, there are three departure fixes available
– the current MXE fix has been split to match the split in J80 westbound (see Section 8.2).

8-30

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 ISPUDS
ISPUDS

IAPTW
IAPTW

IKERNO
IKERNO

IBUKKS
IBUKKS IAVCN
IAVCN

ITERRI
ITERRI

Figure 8-37. Origins of Traffic to Each PHL Arrival Fix

Figure 8-38 shows the arrival and departure routings for PHL near the airport. The new
arrival route is shown passing near SPUDS. The relocation of the BUNTS flow to BUKKS
is also visible. Other paths do not change significantly.

SPUDS

PTW ARD
BUKKS
BUNTS

MXE

DQO OOD
VCN

TERRI

KERNO
ENO

Figure 8-38. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex PHL Arrivals
Arrival altitudes are unchanged on the existing routes. Figure 8-39 shows the altitudes
on the new arrival route for comparison. Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet
and Flight Levels.
8-31

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Departures in this alternative are similar to the Integrated Airspace Alternative, except
for the western flow as shown in Figure 8-40. The two main departure fixes are three in this
alternative, one to each side and one close to the MXE. The route over MXE is split to
match the traffic on J80 and J80 offset. The current MXE route is still available for
propeller-driven aircraft and aircraft without RNAV equipage. It is rarely used in the
simulation of 2011 traffic. Altitudes in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet.

FL230

160
120

170 100
090
100

080
110

170
FL230 170
FL210

Figure 8-39. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex PHL Arrival
Profile

8-32

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 ETX SBJ

TEC
Props 100 PTW
ARD
RBV
Je ts 130
070

120 MXE
Props 100
Je ts 120 CYN
120
DQO OOD
120
120 VCN
ACY

Figure 8-40. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex PHL Departure
Profile

8.3.6.2 Philadelphia Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Close-up views (Figures 8-41 and 8-42) of the low-altitude traffic at PHL for the Future
No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternatives show that
the arrival and departure fixes have been moved to accommodate changes in New York
flows. The three westbound departure fixes look the same as in the Integrated Airspace
alternative because the third westbound route overlies the non-RNAV routing over MXE.

ARD
PTW
RBV

BUNTS

MXE

CYN

DQO
VCN

OOD
Integrated Airspace with Integrated
ACY
Future No Action Alternative Control Complex Alternative

Figure 8-41. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex West Flow PHL Terminal Profiles

8-33

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 ARD
PTW

RP
BUNTS

MXE

DQO
VCN

OOD
Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Future No Action Alternative A
Control Complex Alternative

Figure 8-42. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex East Flow PHL Terminal Profiles

8.3.7 Westchester County

8.3.7.1 Westchester County En Route Arrival/Departure Profiles

In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, the HPN arrival
flows from the north and east no longer merge over IGN, but rather remain separate until just
before turning onto the crosswind leg. Once south of IGN, both flows are shifted east of
their Future No Action placement. This provides more room for the departures to climb as
they loop over the field. The southern arrivals, which utilize two flows in the Future No
Action Alternative, are consolidated into a single flow, crossing through the ISP airspace. A
comparison of the Future No Action Alternative (shown in light blue) and Integrated
Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative (shown in dark blue) HPN arrivals is
shown in Figure 8-43.

8-34

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 DNY BAF
HNK
PWL BDL

IGN IAHN1
ZBW

RYMES IAHE1
ZNY BDR
HPN
CCC

COL

PHL ZDC
CYN
D

Figure 8-43. Comparison of HPN Arrivals (Integrated Airspace with Integrated

Control Complex vs. Future No Action)
Arrivals to HPN are routed over one of four arrival fixes based on the geographical area
of the country from which they originate as shown in Figure 8-44. The largest of these areas,
covering most of the United States, requires arriving aircraft to be merged by ZOB and
funneled over IGN. The other major flow, arriving from the south, utilizes IAHE1. Flights
originating from Boston are routed over IAHN1 while the TEC flights from the New York
area use the RYMES arrival fix.

IAHN1
IAHN1

IAIGN
IAIGN
RYMES
RYMES

IAHE1
IAHE1

Figure 8-44. Origins of Traffic to Each HPN Arrival Fix

8-35

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The indirect routing of the HPN arrival traffic insures that the flights are separated from
much of the arrival and departure traffic to the busier airports. In the instances where
crossing flows could not be avoided, altitude restrictions were employed to insure vertical
separation. The restrictions in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative allow the HPN arrival traffic to remain at higher altitudes longer than those of the
Future No Action Alternative. The HPN arrival altitudes are shown in Figure 8-45. Altitudes
in the figure are shown in hundreds of feet and Flight Levels.

DNY FL180
FL180 BAF
HNK 140
FL220 PWL BDL
120 120 090
IGN 090 IAHN1
ZBW

RYMES IAHE1
ZNY 040 070
HPN
110

FL200
COL

FL240
ZDC
PHL
CYN
D

Figure 8-45. HPN Arrival Altitude Restrictions

In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, a number of
changes from Future No Action are implemented. Figure 8-46 shows a comparison of the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex departures (in dark blue) and the
Future No Action departures (in light blue). First, the eastern departures are shifted southeast
of their Future No Action placement, increasing the available airspace for the HPN and LGA
arrival streams. Second, northern and western departure flows both travel farther north
before turning to their respective fixes, allowing them to avoid the TEB airspace. Third, the
number of western departure fixes is increased. Finally, all southern departure streams now
loop over the airport before heading south. This allows them to gain considerable altitude
before crossing over the LGA traffic and EWR airspace.
In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, departures to the
east climb to FL220 (versus 17,000 feet in Future No Action), and departures to the north,
west and south climb to FL230. Flights from HPN to IAD, which use the west gate, are

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

restricted to FL220, while those to DCA and BWI are restricted to FL200. Altitudes in the
figure are shown in hundreds of feet and FLs.

North Gate East Gate

FL230 FL220

ZNY

HPN

ZBW

COL
West Gate
FL230
South Gate
ZDC FL230
CYN

Figure 8-46. Comparison of HPN Departures (Future No Action versus Integrated

Airspace with Integrated Control Complex)

8.3.7.2 Westchester County Terminal Arrival/Departure Profiles

Figure 8-47 compares the terminal profiles for the Future No Action and Integrated with
Integrated Control Complex Alternatives. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative provides for the arrivals, depicted in blue, to fly at higher altitudes for a
longer time than the Future No Action Alternative. There is also an increase in the amount
of space available for vectoring. The arrival profile depicts the split of the northern arrivals
into two flows as well as the consolidation of the southern arrivals into a single flow. The
departure profile, depicted in green, reflects the change to an initial northern climb for the
north and west departures, as well as the looped climb of the southern flows.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 HPN
HPN

Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control

Future No Action Alternative Complex Alternative

Figure 8-47. Future No Action and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex HPN Terminal Profiles

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Section 9
Operational Analysis Results
The purpose of the NY/NJ/PHL airspace redesign, broadly stated, is to maintain the
safety and increase efficiency of air traffic operations in the area. This broad purpose was
refined by the FAA’s redesign team into a set of tangible system improvements to the system
that they wished to accomplish with their designs. These system improvements form the
left-hand column of Table 9-1, and are expanded in Section 9.1. CAASD defined quantitative
metrics for each of the system improvements. These metrics are described in the right-hand
column of Table 9-1. Detailed definitions for each will be given in Sections 9.2 through
9.10, where the results are presented. Delay definitions are also provided in the Glossary.
The relationship between metrics and system improvements is not one-to-one. For one
example, the Reduce Complexity system improvement is quantified by a combination of
simulation metrics. For another, the time below 18,000 feet simulation output is used for
both the Reduce Complexity and Expedite Arrivals and Departures system improvements.
To generate a single metric for each alternative, a weighted average is constructed from
the low-capacity and high-capacity configurations:
• EWR, JFK, LGA, and TEB: 45% of delay in low capacity configuration + 55% of
delay in high capacity configuration,
• PHL: 25% of delay in East Configuration + 75% of delay in West Configuration, and
• HPN, ISP, and MMU: 100% of delay in the single modeled configuration
Although there are hundreds of runway combinations that might be in use at any time in
the New York Metro area, as far as airspace is concerned they fall into two broad categories.
Northeast-type configurations handle about 45% of the operations; southwest-type
configurations handle the rest. PHL operates to the west about 75% of the time; to the east
about 25%.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 9-1. Metrics

System Improvements Metric

Reduce Complexity Airspace delays + time below 18,000 feet

Arrival distance below 18,000 feet
Reduce Voice Communications Max inter-facility handoffs per hour
Reduce Delay Arrival delay
Departure delay
Balance Controller Workload Equity of fix traffic counts
Meet System Demands and Improve User Access End of day’s last arrival push
to System
Expedite Arrivals and Departures Time below 18,000 feet
Ground track length and block time
Flexibility in Routing Qualitative Assessment
Maintain Airport Throughput Total maximum sustainable arrival throughput
Total maximum sustainable departure throughput

The demand that drives the operational analysis is a forecast of air traffic in 2006 and
2011 extrapolated from observed operations in 2000. Appendix B describes a comparative
analysis of the forecast fleet with the fleet observed in 2004, the changes necessary to correct
the forecast, and the results obtained from changing the input fleet mix to the operational
simulations.

9.1 Mapping Simulation Output to Improvement Metrics

9.1.1 Reduce Complexity
Complexity of an air traffic control operation is not well defined, despite years of
attempts to generate a numerical measure in the field.1 In this work, it is not critical to
measure complexity directly, but rather to identify it through its impact on users of the
airspace. To a first approximation, complexity is the result of merging aircraft from several
flows into one. When the number of aircraft to be merged exceeds some hypothetical

1 See for example, Mogford, R. H., et al., The Complexity Construct in Air Traffic Control: A Review and
Synthesis of the Literature, Report No. DOT/FAA/CT-TN95/22, July 1995.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

threshold, traffic flow managers step in to the process and separate aircraft by more than the
minimum separation, resulting in delays that are measurable in a simulation. Even when an
aircraft is not delayed, it may be directed onto a longer path than optimum conditions would
dictate. For this reason, time and distance are included separately in the calculation of
complexity’s impact.
We calculate complexity impact separately for departures and arrivals. Departures merge
when flights from several New York airports are bound for the same departure fix, and at en
route merge points where Philadelphia traffic contends with New York traffic for the same
jet airway. Arrivals merge as jet airways converge onto Standard Terminal Arrival Routes
(STARs), and as the flows from each arrival fix converge to final approach.
Overflights are excluded from the calculation because, to the greatest extent possible,
they are procedurally separated from New York Metro/Philadelphia arrivals and departures.
Airspace delay results were generated via the CAASD developed en route airspace delay
analyzer tool as described in Appendix A. Time and distance below 18,000 feet altitude was
computed from the simulated trajectories generated by TAAM.

9.1.2 Reduce Voice Communications

Calculating the absolute number of voice communications involved in any particular
airspace design would be a formidable task. Fortunately, only the reduction in voice
communications needs to be calculated. Any voice communications that will be constant
across all alternatives do not need to be calculated here. For most communications, the
timing of the communication changes, but the number does not. These include:
• Voice communications for altitude changes as arrivals are stepped down
• Altitude clearances as departures transition to jet airways
• Frequency changes
• Vectors
The communication loads that will change are those due to handoffs of aircraft across
facility boundaries and those due to vectors and altitude changes caused by traffic
congestion. The latter are generally related to delay, so they will not be calculated separately
under this rubric. The former are related to the number of aircraft crossing a facility
boundary in each hour, which will be computed for this system improvement. The maximum
hourly count over the simulated period will be the metric. Crossings are calculated by first
importing simulated trajectories from TAAM into the SDAT. Crossings of Center
boundaries and the NYICC boundary and exits from the New York TRACON are then
generated from SDAT reports. PHL approach control will remain as an independent facility
in all alternatives, so its handoffs remain constant.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

9.1.3 Reduce Delay
Delay is an output of the simulation tools used in this analysis. It is calculated from the
difference between the flight-planned time and the actual time of an arrival or departure
operation. For the airports that are facing extremely-high forecast demand, LGA and PHL,
the traffic was flow-managed outside of TAAM.2 The delay caused at the flow-management
step was added back in to the delay output after simulation.

9.1.4 Balance Controller Workload

In a high-demand environment like the airspace between New York City and
Philadelphia, controller workload is unlikely to be reduced by any change in the system. If it
were, new demand would quickly appear to bring the workload back to its previous level.
The best that can be accomplished is to balance the workload among the available airspace
resources.
The changes in controller workload balance will primarily come from changes to New
York Metro departures. The distribution of traffic over departure fixes and departure routes
is the major difference among the alternatives. For this metric, the difference between the
share of New York Metro traffic allocated to each fix in a gate will be measured with a
metric that is zero when all fixes have the same traffic and one when one fix has all the
traffic.3 This metric will be calculated gate-by-gate, since it would be counterproductive to
balance workload by sending, say, westbound traffic out the northbound gate. (It may be
desirable in adverse weather conditions, but this is not modeled here.)
Little additional balancing will be possible for NY arrivals, since the two major flows
into New York will be under the control of the same facility in all alternatives. The addition
of the smallest flow in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
will not change the workload balance.
Philadelphia’s airspace is so tightly constrained by other facilities (New York and
Potomac TRACONs) that improving the workload balance via airspace design is unlikely.
PHL will see little change in any alternative.

2 TAAM would solve excessive-delay situations through the use of holding at low altitudes. But low altitude
holding would adversely affect another of our metrics: the time below 18,000 feet. Therefore, the
excessive part of the delay was applied to simulation inputs through external flow management.

3 The metric is called the “Gini Index” by economists. See, for example, Kuan Xu, How has the Literature
on Gini’s Index Evolved in the Past 80 Years? Halifax Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University, April 2003, and
references therein.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 This metric is calculated for each gate on an hourly basis, for busy hours only. The
upper-bound value for each configuration is weighted by configuration to generate a single
value.

9.1.5 Meet System Demands and Improve User Access to System

As the efficiency of the airspace improves, user access to the airports in the region should
improve. Ideally, user access would be defined as a number of aircraft per day, computed
via a feedback process in which traffic that can not be accommodated by the system drops
out of the demand files. Unfortunately, changing traffic in this manner would make it
impossible to compare delay and throughput metrics among plans (as well as introducing
assumptions about user priorities that would complicate the design process).
Instead, as is usual in ATM simulations, this analysis maintained the demand as the
fixed, independent quantity. The simulated airport keeps running to meet the demand, even
if that requires operations very late into the night. The metric for user access in this case is
the time at which the last arrival push of the evening finally is completed. (In New York, the
last scheduled operations of the day are typically arrivals.)

9.1.6 Expedite Arrivals and Departures

Three things can get in the way of expeditious arrivals and departures at a large terminal
like the ones in New York and Philadelphia. First, there are delays in the airspace due to
volume. Second, there is excess routing distance due to procedural separation of flows.
Third, altitude restrictions can keep aircraft at low altitudes where speeds are limited. In the
(current) terminal area, these three effects are combined by calculating the time spent below
18,000 feet. Any decrease in the time, regardless of which of the causes has been
ameliorated, is an equivalent benefit to users.
En route, the structure of airways has an impact on traffic. When aircraft are routed off
the direct path to their destinations, this represents a cost to users that offsets the benefits of
reduced delay. In low-traffic situations, weekends and midnight operations for example, the
delay may not be there to reduce, but the route length remains. Ground track distance and
end-to-end flying time are used to show the impact of en route structure.

9.1.7 Flexibility in Routing

The definition of “flexibility” used here is the ability of the system to accommodate
changing demands from its users. Flexibility permits users to optimize their own operations
according to their own criteria with the minimum constraint from air traffic management. In
an all-VFR study like this one, flexibility in routing is a qualitative concept, since by
definition changes in user demand are caused by factors outside the ATM system, which
makes them unpredictable.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Factors that contribute to flexibility are:
• The number of runways available
• The number of arrival and departure fixes available
• The number of arrival and departure routes available
• The absence of equipment restrictions on routes
In adverse weather conditions, flexibility becomes a measurable quantity, since the need
to maintain their schedule becomes the overriding concern of the users of the air traffic
management system. Examining flexibility during adverse weather conditions will not be
addressed in this report, but is a topic for future work.

9.1.8 Maintain Airport Throughput

Airports are frequently observed to handle more arrivals and departures than their
declared capacity would permit, for a short time. TAAM simulations show the same effect.
For this metric, the sustained throughput was used. Sustained throughput must continue for
at least two consecutive hours.

9.2 Results by Metric

The results for each metric in Table 9-1 are presented in the following subsections.

9.2.1 Airspace Delays

Airspace delays were calculated to determine the jet route delays and departure fix
delays. Because the arrival airspace delay is too small to separate from airport capacity
constraints, only the departure airspace delay was calculated.

9.2.1.1 Departure Jet Route Delay

The departure jet route delays were calculated by first placing the departures to the same
jet airway in trail. If jet route delays greater than four minutes are required, then the
restriction is passed to the departure fix. If the departure fix delays are greater than six
minutes, then the restriction is passed to the runway. The complete description of how these
departure jet route delays were calculated at the fixes and jet airways is provided in
Appendix A.
The total departure jet route delays and at departure fix delays for each alternative are
shown in Table 9-2 based on 2011 traffic. The “average” column in this table is the departure
airspace delay, divided by the number of flights using the departure fix or jet route. Ocean
routing shows a small decrease in jet route delay because jet airways are less congested, as a
result of the limits on EWR departures

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The Modifications and Integrated Airspace alternatives remove about one third of the
departure fix delay because of the split of J80. The difference between the two is that
Integrated Airspace splits ELIOT into two fixes, where Modifications keeps a single fix with
two altitudes (same as Future No Action). The single fix with two altitudes is more flexible,
and causes less delay at the departure fix, but the net result is virtually the same, after the
merge with JFK and PHL departures is taken into account.
When the facilities are integrated as well, two thirds of the Future No Action Alternative
delay has been ameliorated because of the improvement of the south gate, and the split of the
single JFK RBV departure stream into many westgate fixes.

Table 9-2. 2011 Departure Airspace Delay (Minutes)

Departure Departure Total Average
Fix Delay Jet Route (min/flt)
Delay
Future No Action 1530 1133 2663 0.76

Modifications to Existing 852 1045 1897 0.54

Airspace

Ocean Routing 1276 1017 2293 0.70

Integrated Airspace 942 963 1905 0.56

Integrated Airspace with 402 548 950 0.27

Integrated Control Complex

9.2.1.2 Departure Fix Delay

The total minutes of departure fix delay are shown in Figure 9-1. Delays at fixes
accumulating less than 30 minutes per day are omitted for clarity. These delays are due to
airspace alone; for airport departure delay, consult the appropriate airport in Section 8.2.5.
The traffic used is the 2011 90th percentile day.
In the Future No Action Alternative, large amounts of congestion (as indicated by large
departure fix delays) are visible: on the west gate from New York City; on the MXE
departure fix out of PHL; and at WHITE, and downstream at the Norfolk VOR (ORF).
The Ocean Routing Alternative removes much of the delay on the west gate out of New
York, since this gate is no longer available to Newark EWR departures in high-capacity
configuration. In its place is a new delay point at Coyle (CYN). The result is a small

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

reduction in airspace delay due to the ocean routing, but purchased at a huge cost in airport
departure delay.
The Integrated Airspace Alternative has two major differences from the Future No
Action Alternative. They are the opening of a second departure fix out of New York to share
ELIOT traffic, and a parallel airway to J80 that will handle arrivals to Indianapolis Center.
These changes cut the J80 delay by 20% (606 to 470 minutes), reduces departure fix delay at
MXE by half (578 to 223 minutes) and eliminates ELIOT as a source of congestion. One
minor feature of this alternative is the change to ISP south departures (shown in dashed
lines). Though this change affects only about a dozen flights, the impact on airspace delay is
significant. Airspace delays on the south gate are reduced by 20% (from 143 to 117
minutes).
The improvements of the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative on airspace delays are immediately visible all around the New York/Philadelphia
area. The expanded west gate has no departure fixes with more than 30 minutes of delay per
day. Airspace delays on the north gate are essentially eliminated. J80 and its offset partner
are no more restrictive than other jet airways in this alternative. The change to the south
gate, which permits J79 traffic (Florida over land) to be placed on the west side of J209
(Florida over water) while still under New York departure control, balances the departure
delay on the replacement fixes for WHITE and WAVEY.
The total delay shown at each fix in Figure 9-1 shows that the modeled airports can
congest J80 and J209/J174 (where the traffic from WHITE bound for J209 merge with the
traffic from WAVEY). This congestion can create pass back restrictions that can cause a loss
of 1-3 departures per hour from the high capacity airport configuration in the 2011
timeframe. The impact of these pass back restrictions on departure throughput is shown in
Figure 9-2 and 9-3. EWR has a peak loss of 6 departures at 0:00 GMT, and LGA has a peak
deficit of 3 departures per hour at 19:00 GMT due to pass back restrictions. With the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, these restrictions are no
longer needed.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 No Action Integrated Airspace

32 CFB CFB
ELZ ULW ELZ ULW
33
HFD PVD HFD PVD

HUO HUO
30 32
103 PSB 32 111 PSB 33
444 BWZ 225 BWZ
ET X ET X
45 SBJ 49 SBJ
RAV 43RBV RAV RBV
606 T HS LRP
143 T HS
LRP
117
MXE MXE
578 OOD 470 OOD
EMI
CYN
EMI
233 CYN

35 51 57 50 61
MRB SIE MRB 46 SIE
81 72
↓195 ↓29 ↓127

Modifications to Integrated Airspace with

Existing Airspace 47 Integrated Control Complex
ULW CFB ULW CFB
ELZ ELZ
30
HFD PVD HFD PVD

HUO HUO
31 33
144 PSB 32 PSB
149 BWZ BWZ
ETX
45 SBJ 34 ETX
SBJ
RAV 29 RBV RAV RBV
LRP 71 LRP
T HS 120 T HS 67 45
MXE MXE
456 225 OOD OOD
CYN 49 CYN
EMI
62 67
EMI
32
33 MRB 56 SIE MRB
47 SIE
71 83
↓31 ↓199 ↓51 ↓84

Ocean Routing

30 CFB
ELZ ULW

HFD PVD
34
HUO

87 PSB
30
ET X 118 BWZ
SBJ
RAV RBV
607T HS LRP
29
MXE
OOD
746 CYN
EMI 147
29 35
MRB SIE
72
↓122

Figure 9-1. 2011 Departure Delay: Airspace Alone

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 50

40

30
Aircraft per Hour

20 Deficit
AptOnly
10 With Airspace

0
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 0 1 2 3 4
-10

-20
GMT

Figure 9-2. LGA Departure Throughput with Airspace Delays

60

50

40
Aircraft per Hour

30
Deficit
20 AptOnly
With Airspace
10

0
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 0 1 2 3 4
-10

-20
GMT

Figure 9-3. EWR Departure Throughput with Airspace Delays

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

9.2.2 Time Below 18,000 feet
Tables 9-3 through 9-8 show the simulated times and distances flown between the
runway and 18,000 feet. For each metric, there are two tables provided. The first table
displays the simulation results and the second table displays the differences from Future No
Action for each alternative, weighted by frequency of occurrence of each configuration. In
the difference tables, negative numbers in the table show that the metric decreased (generally
good), positive numbers show that the metric increased, which is generally bad. Blank entries
indicate no change from Future No Action Alternative. Numbers in bold are calculated for
the 2011 traffic level.

9.2.2.1 Time to Climb

The “Time to Climb” to 18,000 feet metric includes ground track and altitude restriction
effects. Small improvements are seen in most alternatives. The Ocean Routing Alternative
causes a large penalty on JFK departures, which is due to the loss of the turboprop routes
near RBV. This penalty is less important in 2011, as turboprops disappear from the fleet.
The Integrated Airspace Alternative shows a small improvement due to the increased number
of departure fixes. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
shows a larger one, due to expanded use of piggyback altitudes at the fixes.
Table 9-3 shows the time to climb results for the alternatives for both high and low
capacity configurations for both 2006 and 2011 traffic. Each airport has two rows per
alternative. The first row provides the time to climb for the high capacity configuration for
2006 (abbreviated as Hi06) and the high capacity configuration for 2011 (abbreviated as
Hi11). The second row provides the time to climb for the low capacity configuration for
2006 (abbreviated as Lo06) and the low capacity configuration for 2011 (abbreviated as
Lo11). The numbers in bold are the times to climb for the 2011 traffic level

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 9-3. Time to Climb to 18,000 Feet (Minutes)
Modifications to Integrated
Hi06/Hi11 Future No Ocean Integrated
Existing Airspace with
Lo06/Lo11 Action Routing Airspace
Airspace ICC

EWR 12/12 11/11 14/14 11/11 9

12/11 11/11 9/10 11/11 9

JFK 10/9 11/11 19/12 10/9 10

12/12 13/13 12/11 12/12 10

LGA 13/13 14/14 13/13 12/12 10

12/12 13/13 12/12 11/11 10

PHL 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 11

11/11 10/11 11/11 11/10 11

TEB 12/12 12/12 12/12 12/12 10

12/11 12/11 12/11 11/11 9

Table 9-4 shows the weighted effect on the time to climb for the alternatives in
comparison to the Future No Action for 2006 and 2011 traffic. Negative numbers in
Table 9-4 indicate that the time to climb was less than Future No Action, positive numbers
indicate the time to climb was greater than Future No Action Alternative. Blank entries
indicate no change from Future No Action Alternative. Numbers in bold are the time to
climb difference for the 2011 traffic level.

Table 9-4. Effect on Time to Climb, Weighted (Minutes)

2006/2011 Modifications to Ocean Integrated Integrated

Existing Airspace Routing Airspace Airspace with ICC

EWR -1/-1 -1/-1 -1

JFK 1/1 5/1 -1

LGA 1/1 -1/-1 -1

PHL 1

TEB -1/-1 -2

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 9.2.2.2 Time to Descend
The “Time to Descend” metric includes time spent vectoring and holding (below 18,000
feet) for runways. Tables 9-5 and 9-6 show the results. Ocean routing harms JFK because of
the competition for airspace between its arrivals and EWR departures. The Integrated
Airspace Alternative shows a small improvement in this metric, which is a secondary effect
of the improved efficiency of the airport. In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative, the time increases because low altitude holding is possible near the
airport. (Low altitude holding is one of the factors that contribute to reduced arrival delay.)
This effect is most pronounced at LGA, the airport that showed the biggest improvement in
arrival delay due to the integration of the facilities.
In Table 9-5, each airport has two rows. The first row provides the time to descend for
the high capacity configuration for 2006 (abbreviated as Hi06) and the high capacity
configuration for 2011 (abbreviated as Hi11). The second row provides the time to descend
for the low capacity configuration for 2006 (abbreviated as Lo06) and the low capacity
configuration for 2011 (abbreviated as Lo11). The numbers in bold are the times to climb
for the 2011 traffic level.
Table 9-6 shows the weighted effect on the time to descend for the alternatives in
comparison to the Future No Action for 2006 and 2011 traffic. Negative numbers in
Table 9-6 indicate that the time to descend was less than for the Future No Action
Alternative, positive numbers indicate the time to descend was greater than for Future No
Action Alternative. Blank entries indicate no change from Future No Action Alternative. The
numbers in bold are the time to climb difference for the 2011 traffic level.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 9-5. Time to Descend (Minutes)
Modifications to Integrated
Hi06/Hi11 Future No Ocean Integrated
Existing Airspace with
Lo06/Lo11 Action Routing Airspace
Airspace ICC

EWR 26/27 26/27 26/27 26/27 27

28/29 28/29 28/29 27/28 28

JFK 16/16 15/15 17/17 16/16 17

14/14 14/13 18/17 14/14 16

LGA 31/27 30/28 31/27 30/28 33

30/29 31/29 30/29 30/29 33

PHL 27/26 25/25 27/26 27/26 26

24/31 24/23 24/31 24/31 32

TEB 31/34 31/34 31/34 31/34 33

25/29 25/29 25/29 25/29 32

Table 9-6. Effect on Time to Descend, Weighted (Minutes)

2006/2011 Modifications to Ocean Integrated Integrated

Existing Airspace Routing Airspace Airspace with ICC

EWR 0/-1 0

JFK -1/-1 2/2 2

LGA -1/1 5

PHL -1/-4 1

TEB 1

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

9.2.3 Distance Below 18,000 feet

9.2.3.1 Descent Distance

Tables 9-7 and 9-8 show the distance flown below 18,000 feet (in nautical miles) on
arrival. The distance flown below 18,000 feet on arrivals includes vectoring distance, but not
flying in holding stacks. As in the case of descent time, the Ocean Routing Alternative
adversely affects JFK arrivals, but other airports are not significantly affected. The
Integrated Airspace Alternative has almost no effect on this metric. The Integrated Airspace
with Integrated Control Complex Alternative shows an increase in this metric, except at
EWR. This reflects the increased role of vectoring at low altitudes, since high-altitude
holding is no longer so important for sequencing aircraft. Note also that the increased
distances are much longer than the increased descent times would imply. This is a sign that
aircraft are flying faster after descending through 18,000 feet. This is due to raised altitudes
at the arrival fixes.
In Table 9-7, each airport has two rows. The first row provides descent distance for the
high capacity configuration for 2006 (abbreviated as Hi06) and the high capacity
configuration for 2011 (abbreviated as Hi11). The second row provides the descent distance
for the low capacity configuration for 2006 (abbreviated as Lo06) and the low capacity
configuration for 2011 (abbreviated as Lo11). The numbers in bold are the descent distances
for the 2011 traffic level.
Table 9-8 shows the weighted effect on the descent distance for the alternatives in
comparison to the Future No Action for 2006 and 2011 traffic. Negative numbers in
Table 9-8 indicate that the descent distance was less than for the Future No Action
Alternative, positive numbers indicate the descent distance was greater than for Future No
Action Alternative. Blank entries indicate no change from Future No Action Alternative.
The numbers in bold are the descent distance difference for the 2011 traffic level.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 9-7. Descent Distances (nmi)

Modifications to Integrated
Hi06/Hi11 Future No Ocean Integrated
Existing Airspace
Lo06/Lo11 Action Routing Airspace
Airspace with ICC

EWR 106/106 106/106 106/106 106/106 91

102/102 102/102 102/118 102/102 99

JFK 58/59 55/56 58/58 58/59 73

52/52 48/49 63/67 52/52 63

LGA 114/109 110/111 114/109 114/108 114

114/115 115/117 114/115 114/115 123

PHL 94/102 102/102 94/102 95/102 109

101/100 101/100 101/100 101/100 110

TEB 107/108 108/108 107/108 107/108 127

108/109 94/95 108/109 108/109 134

Table 9-8. Effect on Descent Distance (nmi),Weighted

2006/2011 Modifications to Ocean Integrated Integrated

Existing Airspace Routing Airspace Airspace with ICC

EWR 0/7 -10

JFK -4/0 5/6 13

LGA -2/0 0/-1 7

PHL 4/0 9

TEB -6/0 22

9.2.3.2 Climb Distance

Tables 9-9 and 9-10 show the distance flown below 18,000 feet on departure. The
measured distance includes only aircraft performance effects. It does not include any
maneuvering for spacing on the jet airways. The Ocean Routing Alternative has an adverse
9-16

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

effect on EWR and JFK. The Integrated Airspace Alternative shows a small improvement
due to the increased number of departure fixes. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Control Complex Alternative shows a larger improvement, due to expanded use of
piggyback altitudes at the fixes.
In Table 9-9, each airport has two rows. The first row provides climb distance for the
high capacity configuration for 2006 (abbreviated as Hi06) and the high capacity
configuration for 2011 (abbreviated as Hi11). The second row provides the climb distance
for the low capacity configuration for 2006 (abbreviated as Lo06) and the low capacity
configuration for 2011 (abbreviated as Lo11). The numbers in bold are the descent distances
for the 2011 traffic level.
Table 9-10 shows the weighted effect on the climb distance for the alternatives in
comparison to the Future No Action for 2006 and 2011 traffic. Negative numbers in
Table 9-10 indicate that the climb distance was less than for the Future No Action, positive
numbers indicate the climb distance was greater than for the Future No Action Alternative.
Blank entries indicate no change from Future No Action Alternative. Numbers in bold are
the descent distance difference for the 2011 traffic level.

Table 9-9. Climb Distance (nmi)

Hi06/Hi11 Modifications to Integrated

Future No Ocean Integrated
Existing Airspace with
Lo06/Lo11 Action Routing Airspace
Airspace ICC

EWR 64/65 56/56 75/76 55/55 48

68/68 59/59 58/58 64/64 56

JFK 48/49 55/57 63/65 48/49 52

61/62 68/69 60/61 61/62 51

LGA 70/70 77/77 67/67 64/65 54

62/63 69/70 62/62 61/61 53

PHL 52/52 53/55 52/52 52/51 52

55/56 54/55 55/56 55/54 54

TEB 58/58 58/58 58/58 55/55 51

66/66 58/58 66/66 60/60 53

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 9-10. Effect on Climb Distance (nmi) Weighted

2006/2011 Modifications to Ocean Integrated Integrated

Existing Airspace Routing Airspace Airspace with ICC

EWR -9/-9 2/2 -7/-7 -8

JFK 7/7 7/8 -4

LGA 7/7 -2/-2 -4/-4 -9

PHL 0/1 0/-2 1

TEB -4/-4 -4/-5 -5

9.2.4 Maximum Inter-facility Handoffs per Hour

Handoffs within a facility are much more flexible than handoffs between facilities.
Within a single facility, transfer of control is done by face-to-face communication, which
permits continuous adjustment during changing conditions. Between facilities, transfer of
control is made according to letters of agreement, which do not change easily. When
flexibility is needed, it is achieved through negotiation between traffic management offices.
It is not possible to determine via simulation what letters of agreement will be necessary in a
redesigned airspace, but a count of how many aircraft will be subject to those letters gives an
indication of the importance of such rigid handoffs.
The most direct result of integrating the New York TRACON and New York Center will
be a reduction in inter-facility handoffs. This is clearly visible in Figures 9-4 and 9-5. The
number of inter-facility handoffs in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative is about 30% lower in all busy hours than in any of the multi-facility alternatives.
Arrival inter-facility handoffs in the multi-facility alternatives are nearly identical. Departure
handoffs show some variation, since the times of transfer of control are quite a bit different
when new departure routes and multiple departure headings are available.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 300

Interfacility Handoffs Per Hour

250

200

150

100 Future No Action

Modifications
Ocean Routing
50 Integrated
Integrated w ith ICC

0
9:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00 0:00 3:00 6:00
GMT

Figure 9-4. Arrival Inter-facility Handoff

300
Interfacility Handoffs Per Hour

250

200

150

Future No Action
100
Modifications
Ocean Routing
50
Integrated
Integrated w ith ICC
0
10:00 13:00 16:00 19:00 22:00 1:00 4:00 7:00
GMT

Figure 9-5. Departure Inter-facility Handoff

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

9.2.5 Arrival and Departure Delays
Airport delay was calculated for both forecast 2006 and 2011 traffic levels. Airport
arrival and departure delay is a direct output of the simulation. This section shows daily
averages for delay at each modeled airport. Hourly averages can be found in the validation
section, above.

9.2.5.1 John F. Kennedy International

The traffic-weighted airport arrival and departure delays for JFK for the 2006 and 2011
timeframes are shown in Figures 9-6 and 9-7. The Ocean Routing Alternative severely
increases arrival delay in comparison to the other alternatives and provides the greatest
departure delays. The more flexible runway use in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Control Complex (ICC) Alternative provides the biggest arrival benefit. The Integrated
Airspace Alternative and Future No Action Alternatives are similar in results.

14.0 2006
12.0 2011
Minutes Per Flight

10.0
8.0

6.0
4.0

2.0

0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-6. JFK Arrival Delays

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 14.0
2006
12.0 2011
Minutes Per Flight 10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-7. JFK Departure Delays

9.2.5.2 LaGuardia
The traffic-weighted airport arrival and departure delays for LGA for the 2006 and 2011
timeframes are shown in Figures 9-8 and 9-9. The arrival delay improves only with the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative. With the expanded
airspace with the NYICC, aircraft can be sequenced approximately one hour before they
arrive. There are small departure improvements in Integrated Airspace and Integrated
Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternatives due to the additional departure fixes
in these alternatives.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 80.0 2006
2011
70.0
Minutes Per Flight 60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-8. LGA Arrival Delays

80.0 2006
70.0 2011
Minutes Per Flight

60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-9. LGA Departure Delays

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 9.2.5.3 Long Island MacArthur
The traffic-weighted airport arrival and departure delays for ISP for the 2006 and 2011
timeframes are shown in Table 9-11. There are no significant improvements with
alternatives.

Table 9-11. ISP Airport Delay (Minutes)

2006 2011
Arrival Departure Arrival Departure

Future No Action Alternative 0 1.1 0.1 1.1

Modifications to Existing Airspace

Alternative 0 1.1 0.1 1.1

Ocean Routing Alternative 0 1.1 0.1 1.1

Integrated Airspace Alternative 0 1.2 0.1 1.1

Integrated Airspace with Integrated

Control Complex Alternative N/A N/A 0 1.1

9.2.5.4 Newark Liberty International

The traffic-weighted airport arrival and departure delays for EWR for the 2006 and 2011
timeframes are shown in Figures 9-10 and 9-11. Arrival delay is improved with the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative due to the flexible runway
use of Runway 22R/04L. Departure delay improves with the Integrated Airspace and
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternatives because of the three
heading fanning off of Runway 22R. There are significant departure delays with the Ocean
Routing alternative.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 50.0
2006
45.0
2011
40.0
Minutes Per Flight 35.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-10. EWR Arrival Delays

50.0 2006
45.0 2011
40.0
Minutes Per Flight

35.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-11. EWR Departure Delays

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 9.2.5.5 Teterboro
The traffic-weighted airport arrival and departure delays for TEB for the 2006 and 2011
timeframes are shown in Figures 9-12 and 9-13. TEB delay is low in 2006, but will likely
double from 2006 to 2011 because of growth in demand. As is the case with LGA, arrival
delay improves in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative in
2011, because sequencing is more efficient when it begins earlier.

7.0 2006

6.0 2011
Minutes Per Flight

5.0

4.0

3.0
2.0

1.0
0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-12. TEB Arrival Delays

2006
7.0
2011
6.0
Minutes Per Flight

5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-13. TEB Departure Delays

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 9.2.5.6 Morristown Municipal
The traffic-weighted airport arrival and departure delays for MMU for the 2006 and 2011
timeframes are shown in Table 9-12. Because of the low traffic volume, there are no
significant delays at MMU.

Table 9-12. MMU Airport Delay (Minutes)

2006 2011
Arrival Departure Arrival Departure

Future No Action 0.1 1.2 0.2 1.7

Modifications to Existing
Airspace 0 1.1 0.1 1.6

Ocean Routing 0.1 1.2 0.2 1.7

Integrated Airspace 0.1 1.1 0.2 1.6

Integrated Airspace with

Integrated Control
Complex N/A N/A 0.1 0.6

9.2.5.7 Philadelphia International

The traffic-weighted airport arrival and departure delays for PHL for the 2006 and 2011
timeframes are shown in Figures 9-14 and 9-15. PHL arrival delay shows no significant
change in any alternative. The Modifications and the Integrated alternatives show decreases
in departure delay, due entirely to multiple departure headings in High (west) configuration.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 2006
16.0
2011
14.0
Minutes Per Flight 12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-14. PHL Arrival Delays

16.0 2006
2011
14.0
Minutes Per Flight

12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated
to Existing Routing Airspace w ith ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-15. PHL Departure Delays

9.2.5.8 Westchester County

The traffic-weighted airport arrival and departure delays for HPN for the 2006 and 2011
timeframes are shown in Table 9-13. Based on the low traffic volume, there are no
significant delays at HPN.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 9-13. HPN Airport Delay (Minutes)

2006 2011
Arrival Departure Arrival Departure

Future No Action 0 0.9 0 1

Modifications to
Existing Airspace 0 0.9 0 1

Ocean Routing 0 0.9 0 1

Integrated Airspace 0.1 0.9 0 1

Integrated Airspace
with Integrated Control
Complex 0 1

9.2.6 Equity of Fix Traffic Counts

As part of the objective to balance controller workload, the equity of departure fix traffic
counts was measured. The departure fix traffic was measured by departure gate. If all the
fixes associated with a departure gate have equal traffic, then the traffic imbalance is zero, if
one fix has all the traffic associated with a departure gate, the traffic imbalance is one (see
Footnote 16 for metric details). The results for the west gate, south gate, north gate and east
gate are shown in the following subsections.
PHL departure fixes do not have a comparable metric in this case. Three of the four
gates consist of a single fix, and the balance of traffic to the fourth is not affected by any of
the alternatives.

9.2.6.1 West Gate

The west gate is the most important departure area from New York, and it is the one most
affected by the alternative designs. Figure 9-16 shows the imbalance scores.
The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative is the largest
improvement over the Future No Action Alternative because ELIOT, the busiest fix, splits
into two equal parts. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
shows less improvement, because the addition of piggybacked altitudes to all fixes in the
gate makes balance less crucial.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 0.6

0.5 No Action
Traffic Imbalance

0.4 Modifications to
Existing Airspace

0.3 Integrated Airspace

Ocean Routing
0.2

Integrated with ICC

0.1

0
11:00 14:00 17:00 20:00 23:00
GMT

Figure 9-16. West Gate Equity of Fix Traffic

9.2.6.2 South Gate

The south gate consists in all alternatives of two fixes that feed jet airways, plus one fix
(DIXIE in the Future No Action Alternative) that combines the functions of a tower en route
departure fix and an oceanic gateway for New Jersey airports. Figure 9-17 shows its
imbalance scores. The early morning departure rush becomes more imbalanced in the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, but the afternoon
imbalance is greatly improved.
This is due to the ability of the integrated facility to send aircraft to their fixes according
to their desired jet airway, not their airport of origin. Ocean routing slightly improves the
balance by spreading out the departure flows from EWR and JFK into a slow, continuous
stream.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 0.6

0.5 No Action
Traffic Imbalance

0.4 Modifications to
Existing Airspace
Integrated Airspace
0.3

Ocean Routing
0.2

Integrated with ICC

0.1

0
11:00 14:00 17:00 20:00 23:00
GMT

Figure 9-17. South Gate Equity of Fix Traffic

9.2.6.3 North Gate

The north gate changes significantly in different alternatives. Its imbalance score is shown in
Figure 9-18.
Because the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative has three
jet airways fed by a single fix, its imbalance score is the worst. It is possible that piggyback
altitudes may ameliorate the imbalance. Other alternatives are similar.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 0.6

0.5 No Action
Traffic Imbalance

0.4 Modifications to
Existing Airspace
Integrated Airspace
0.3

Ocean Routing
0.2

Integrated with ICC

0.1

0
11:00 14:00 17:00 20:00 23:00
GMT

Figure 9-18. North Gate Equity of Fix Traffic

9.2.6.4 East Gate

The east gate has two fixes for long-haul traffic and one for short hops. Its imbalance
score is shown in Figure 9-19. During most hours, the Future No Action Alternative has a
very low imbalance. During the transatlantic departure peak in the afternoon, however, the
imbalance becomes fairly high. The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex
Alternative lowers this peak, but the more balanced hours are raised. Ocean routing upsets
the balance as well, but with no corresponding benefit.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 0.6

0.5 No Action
Traffic Imbalance

0.4 Modifications to
Existing Airspace
Integrated Airspace
0.3

Ocean Routing
0.2

Integrated with ICC

0.1

0
11:00 14:00 17:00 20:00 23:00
GMT

Figure 9-19. East Gate Equity of Fix Traffic

9.2.7 End of Day’s Last Arrival Push

When traffic is held constant over all alternatives, user access can be indirectly measured
by considering the time at when the day’s last arrival push is complete. The later at night it
occurs, the more likely that users will be discouraged from scheduling flights. This metric is
not significantly affected by the alternatives that do not integrate the current facilities. In the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, improved arrivals at EWR
greatly reduce the number of late-night arrivals at EWR and LGA, visible near 0300 GMT in
Figure 9-20 and 0400 GMT in Figure 9-21 respectively. The other airports studied (JFK,
TEB, MMU, HPN, ISP, and PHL) are not significantly affected.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Arrival Demand
80
Future No Action
70
Modifications to
Aircraft per hour 60 Existing Airspace
Integ Airspace
50
Integ Airspace
40 with ICC

30

20

10

0
9 12 15 18 21 0 3 6 9
GMT Hour

Figure 9-20. EWR 2011 End of Arrival Push

Arrival Demand
60 Future No Action

Modifications to
50 Existing Airspace
Integ Airspace

Integ Airspace with

40 ICC
Aircraft per hour

30

20

10

0
10 13 16 19 22 1 4
GMT Hour

Figure 9-21. LGA 2011 End of Arrival Push

9-33

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

9.2.8 Ground Track Length and Block Time
The existing airspace design appears to have been designed to minimize ground track
distance for flights to the major airports. Smaller flows are routed considerably out of their
way to avoid the major flows. If the traffic is rerouted to reduce delays at major airports,
therefore, it is likely that the flying distances will increase. The time it takes to fly the longer
distances must be counted against the delay reduction.
Figure 9-22 shows the changes in ground track length for traffic at each airport. The
value for each flight is the ground track length in that alternative minus the ground track
length in the Future No Action Alternative. Therefore, positive numbers are a distance
penalty. Negative numbers are a benefit. The marker shows the mean change over all flights
and the 25th and 75th percentile points in the distribution of changes. That is, the route length
changes for half the flights to and from that airport in that alternative lie between the ends of
the bar.
As anticipated, route lengths increase at most airports. The conspicuous exception is ISP.
In the Future No Action Alternative, arrivals to ISP from the west are routed far out of the
way to avoid New York City traffic. In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative, ISP shares the more direct LENDY route with JFK traffic.
Ocean routing shows an enormous negative effect on EWR. Note that the increased
route length includes both arrivals and departures, and one configuration that is relatively
unaffected averaged in with another heavily-affected configuration. If the impacted EWR
departures alone were shown in Figure 9-22 for Ocean Routing, the chart would show a
route-length penalty approximately four times as large as the weighted value.
Figure 9-23 shows the changes in block time that result from the combination of delay
reduction and increased route length. The quantities are computed the same way as for
ground track length, but the minutes between flight start and landing are used instead.
Traffic flow management delays at LGA and PHL are included in the block time metric.
EWR shows the biggest benefits in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative, since the changes in runway use dominate the increased flying
distance. The enormous penalties of ocean routing are also visible. ISP shows a benefit due
purely to ground track length. LGA shows a benefit due to improved sequencing in the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative. At other airports, changes
in route length are balanced by changes in delay times, on average.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Extra Route Distance over No Action (nmi)

-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
EWR
Modifications
Ocean
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
HPN Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
ISP
Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
JFK
Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Mean
Integ. Airspace 25th 75th
LGA %ile %ile
Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
MMU Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ.,Airspace
PHL
Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
TEB Modifications
Ocean Routing
Benefits Penalties

Figure 9-22. Route Length Changes

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Extra Block Time over No Action (min)
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
EWR
Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
HPN Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
ISP Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
JFK Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC Mean
Integ. Airspace 25th 75th
LGA Modifications %ile %ile
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
MMU Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
PHL Modifications
Ocean Routing
Integrated w/ICC
Integ. Airspace
TEB Modifications
Ocean Routing
Benefits Penalties

Figure 9-23. Block Time Changes

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

9.2.9 Flexibility Qualitative Assessment
As defined in Section 9.1.7, factors that contributed to the qualitative assessment of
flexibility included:
• The number of runways available
• The number of arrival and departure fixes available
• The number of arrival and departure routes available
• The absence of equipment restrictions on routes

9.2.10 Total Maximum Sustainable Throughput

Maximum sustainable throughput is perhaps the most important metric for any efficiency
study because it translates directly into increased activity for users of the airports and
airspace. The total throughput, weighted by configuration, for the capacity-limited modeled
airports in each alternative is shown in Figure 9-24.
The modeled airports that are not capacity-limited, MMU, ISP, and HPN, are not
included in the figure or in the metric. Their throughput is determined primarily by the
pattern of demand, which is held constant across the alternatives. Therefore they will show
no difference.
The largest changes are seen in departure throughput. All the New York Metro airports
show benefits of the increased number of departure fixes. EWR benefits to a great extent,
typically two departures per hour, from fanned departures in the modification and both
integrated alternatives. JFK and LGA can fan some departures in the Future No Action
Alternative, so their benefits are less, about 1 departure per hour. JFK benefits from access
to the west gate and more flexible runway use in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Control Complex Alternative, which adds 1 more departure per hour. EWR departure
throughput is significantly reduced by ocean routing; the sustainable throughput drops from
55 to 38 per hour. JFK’s maximum departure rate is not reduced by ocean routing, because
its maximum departure operation is primarily in other directions.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 300

250
Max. Operations per Hour

55 55 57 48 58
200 44 44 44 38 44 EWR
JFK
50 50 50 50 52 52
150 44 44 44 44 LGA
PHL
40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 41 40
100 TEB

60 58 60 59 60 58 60 58 60 58
50

35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 37 37
0
Arr Dep Arr Dep Arr Dep Arr Dep Arr Dep

Future No Modifications Ocean Integrated Integrated

Action to Routing Airspace Airspace with
Existing ICC
Airspace

Figure 9-24. Maximum Sustainable Throughput

Enhancements to arrival throughput occur only in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated
Control Complex Alternative. EWR gains in runway flexibility, so it shows an improvement
of 4 arrivals per hour. JFK, where runway usage patterns are also improved, shows an
increase of 4 arrivals per hour as departures interfere less with the arrival stream. LGA and
TEB obtain smaller benefits, since sequencing can begin earlier in the arrival process. The
result is one additional arrival per hour at each airport.
The airspace changes studied here are not large enough at PHL to affect this metric.

9.3 Summary
The simulation results obtained above were combined according to the definitions in
Table 9-1 to generate the metrics needed to support the system improvements. A summary
of the metric results is presented in Table 9-14. The best results for each metric are shown in
bold.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table 9-14. Summary of Metric Results

Integrated Airspace
Existing Airspace
Future No Action

Modifications to

Integrated

with ICC
Airspace
Routing
Ocean
System Improvements Metric

Reduce Jet route delays + time

12 12 12 11 10
complexity below 18,000 ft (min)

Arrival Distance
96 95 99 96 102
below 18,000 ft (nmi)

Reduce voice Max Inter-facility

525 525 521 529 382
communications handoffs per hour

traffic-weighted
22.9 22.6 23.6 22.8 19.9
Reduce delay Arrival Delay 2011

traffic-weighted
23.3 20.9 29.5 20.8 19.2
Departure Delay 2011

Balance Equity of westgate fix

0.37 0.37 0.37 0.34 0.30
controller workload traffic counts

Meet system demands

and Improve user End of day's last
access to system arrival push 23:54 23:54 23:54 23:54 23:00

Expedite arrivals Time below

18.5 18.2 18.8 18.2 18.6
and departures 18,000 ft (min)

Change in Route Length

0.0 0.0 4.5 -1.2 3.7
per flight (nmi)

Change in block time

0.0 - 0.9 3.9 -1.0 -1.4
(minutes per flight)

Flexibility
0 0 – 0 +
in routing Qualitative Assessment

Maintain airport
223 223 223 223 238
throughput Arrivals

(total of maximum
238 239 221 240 245
sustainable throughput) Departures

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Section 10
Conclusions and Recommendations
The purpose of the NY/NJ/PHL airspace redesign is to maintain safety and increase the
efficiency of air traffic operations in the area. This broad purpose was refined by the FAA’s
redesign team into a set of system improvements that they wished to accomplish with their
designs. The system improvements are to:
• Reduce Complexity,
• Reduce Voice Communications,
• Reduce Delay,
• Balance Controller Workload,
• Meet System Demands and Improve User Access to System,
• Expedite Arrivals and Departures,
• Increase Flexibility in Routing, and
• Maintain Airport Throughput.
CAASD modeled and evaluated five airspace alternatives for the NY/NJ/PHL
Metropolitan Area Airspace Redesign for eight airports (JFK, LGA, ISP, MMU, EWR, PHL,
TEB, and HPN):
1. Future No Action Alternative, which is based on today’s airspace and routing
2. Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative, which assumes minor modifications
to today’s airspace and routing
3. Ocean Routing Alternative, which keeps departures over water until noise is not a
problem
4. Integrated Airspace Alternative, which assumes integrated routes and airspace but
without constructing a new proposed ATC facility, the NYICC)
5. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, which assumes
integrated routes and airspace and the NYICC

10-1

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 CAASD evaluated the system improvements in terms of quantifiable metrics.
Overall, these metrics slightly favor the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative. The improvements on airspace delays are significant. The expanded
west gate has no departure fixes with more than 30 minutes of delay per day. Airspace
delays on the north gate are essentially eliminated. J80 and its offset partner are no more
restrictive than other jet airways in this alternative. The change to the south gate, which
permits J79 traffic to be placed on the west side of J209 departures while still under New
York departure control, balances the departure delay on the replacement fixes for WHITE
and WAVEY. Moreover, while the majority of flights fly longer distances with the
Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex, users see a net benefit in terms of
shorter block times in comparison to the other alternatives. EWR shows the biggest benefits
in this alternative, since the benefits associated with the use of dual arrival streams dominate
the increased flying distance. Fanned departure headings also contribute significantly to
delay reduction.
The Integrated Control Complex also significantly decreases the voice communications
associated with the number of interfacility handoffs. With the integrating of the New York
TRACON and New York Center, the peak number of interfacility handoffs is up to 30%
lower per hour in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative than
in any of the multi-facility alternatives.
At the extremely-high demand levels forecast for 2011, this airspace is the recommended
alternative. However, we must note that the penalties caused by longer routes are a fixed
cost that is proportional to the number of flights. The benefits due to improved airport
operations increase faster than linearly as traffic increases. Therefore, there is a break-even
point. If traffic is above that level, which is somewhere between the median and the 90th
percentile day in 2011, this alternative is a net benefit. If the forecast demand levels do not
materialize, there is a risk that this alternative will not reach the break-even point.
The Integrated Airspace Alternative has two major differences from the Future No
Action Alternative. First, departures are fanned off the runways, reducing departure delay
significantly. Second, a second departure fix is created out of New York to share ELIOT
traffic from the New York airports, and a parallel airway to J80 handles arrivals to
Indianapolis Center. These changes cut the J80 delay by 20%, reduce departure fix delay at
MXE by half, and eliminate ELIOT as a source of congestion. The net is a reduction of
airspace delay by about one-third.
One minor feature of this alternative is the change to ISP south departures. Though this
change affects only about a dozen flights, the impact on airspace delay is substantial.
Airspace delays at the south gate are reduced by almost a third. In addition with this
alternative, flights benefit in terms of flying slightly shorter distances than in Future No

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Action (1.2 nmi), with a small decrease in block time (-0.4 minutes). Departure delay is
decreased by approximately 2 minutes per flight.
The Modifications to Existing System Alternative shows benefits relative to the Future
No Action Alternative from the fanning of departure headings. West departures from the
New York metropolitan airports and Philadelphia have an additional jet route, similar to that
in the Integrated Airspace Alternative. This jet route is used for arrivals to the Indianapolis
and Cleveland ARTCC internal airports. The Modifications to Existing System Alternative
reduces airspace delays by about one-third, compared to the current published procedures.
The Modifications to Existing System and Integrated Airspace alternatives are very
similar from the perspective of benefits to users of the airspace. The split of J80 into two
airways is the critical change in each case. The primary difference is the interface between
the New York TRACON and the split jet airway. In the Modifications to Existing System
Alternative, as in the current system, the single fix ELIOT feeds several jet airways from two
altitudes. The analysis in this report shows that a single fix with two altitudes is more
efficient for users than splitting ELIOT into two fixes, each of which will feed an airway that
is tightly constrained in the lateral dimension. If it is operationally feasible, the single fix
with two altitudes would be a better transitional design to the Integrated Airspace with
Integrated Control Complex Alternative, since the latter alternative has two altitudes on all
the west gate fixes.
In the Oceanic Routing Alternative, Newark departures are negatively impacted by
longer distances (15 nmi) and extra block time (25 minutes) in comparison to the Future No
Action Alternative. The Ocean Routing Alternative removes the delay on the west gate out
of New York, since this gate is no longer available to Newark departures in the high-capacity
configuration. However, in its place is a new delay point to the south of NY. The result is a
small reduction in airspace delay due to the ocean routing, but with a corresponding huge
increase in airport departure delay. There is an additional complication in the en route
airspace, as the proposed routing of Newark and Kennedy departures passes just north of the
main departure fix out of Philadelphia. As Newark departures are pushed later in the day by
the airspace capacity limits that traffic coincides with the evening departure push out of
Philadelphia. The result is increased complexity in the en route airspace to the southwest of
NY, which is already a bottleneck in the en route system. The Oceanic Routing Alternative
does not meet the objectives of the airspace redesign. Based on these operational results,
CAASD recommends that this alternative not be considered further.
The delay metrics in the Future No-Action Alternative show severe airport congestion
that will be costly to users of the airspace. To meet the anticipated demand, changes must be
made to the current system.

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 The simulations reported in this document show several changes that can ameliorate
future conditions and bring the system closer to the stated needs:
• Airspace constraints that limit the use of available runways must be removed;
• Departures should be permitted to fly dispersed headings as close to the runway as
feasible;
• Departure fixes should not have to serve more than one airway;
• Multiple altitudes should be available at departure fixes;
• Sequencing decisions for arrivals should be made as early as possible, and
coordination between arrival streams should be seamless.
Of the remaining alternatives, all have benefits. However, only one alternative
incorporates enough of the changes listed above to be worth the effort and expense of
implementing an airspace redesign of this magnitude. Therefore, the Integrated Airspace
with Integrated Control Complex Alternative is the recommended choice.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Appendix A
Calculation of Airspace Delay Metric

A.1 Introduction
There is no universally-accepted numerical measure of complexity for air traffic control
systems. When an airspace design is intended to reduce complexity, therefore, some model
must be applied to generate quantitative metrics. In this work, the indicator of complexity is
a mismatch among (1) the demand on an airspace resource, (2) the desired output of that
resource, and (3) the amount of delay that the resource can absorb. A “resource” can be a
sector, an airway, or a fix. The desired output is expressed as miles or minutes between
successive aircraft, possibly per altitude or per transition. Typically, the minimum spacing of
the desired output is 8 miles, which allows for a comfortable margin above the en-route
separation requirement.
Complexity exceeds acceptable levels when the demand, either in total number or in
small bursts, congests a resource in such a way that required delays for spacing are greater
than can be absorbed by the controller of the resource without coordination. As we model
that occurrence, delays are passed back to other resources or to the ground. Delays are
passed back in the form of a lower desired output of upstream resources. This is intrinsically
less efficient than case-by-case delays, so the complexity causes higher delay in the airspace
than the theoretical minimum. This delay, including the excess, is called “airspace delay”.
Off-the-shelf simulation software falls short of the capabilities needed to analyze the
process by which airspace complexity translates into airborne and ground delays. All the
individual parts are available, but no single package combines them. The analysis required
the ability to space traffic at a dependent network of critical points in the airspace (like
SIMMOD) using a dynamically-adaptable logic to pass restrictions upstream in the flows
(like Eurocontrol Reorganized ATC Mathematical Simulator [RAMS] or TAAM), with
aircraft trajectories that are sensitive to details of vectoring in the terminal (like TAAM).
Therefore, auxiliary processing of simulation data would be necessary with any simulator.
The last characteristic is the most difficult to reproduce externally, so TAAM was chosen as
the simulation backbone. Airspace delay was computed externally to the simulation, and fed
back into the simulation input where necessary (see Section 9).

A.2 Arrivals and Departures

As a general rule, one runway can not overload one jet airway. Under optimum
conditions, a runway can handle slightly less than one departure per minute. At cruising
speeds above 30,000 ft, the separation of aircraft off the runway becomes about 8 MIT,
which is an acceptable spacing even before altitude separation is considered. On the arrival

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side, a sustained rate of perhaps 45 per hour is the maximum that a single runway can handle.
A single jet airway can deliver more than that as a single stream.
The NY/PHL corridor has many airports that share departure airways, so it is common to
see as many as five aircraft launching simultaneously toward the same airway with similar
altitude preferences. Departure airspace can be the limiting factor in throughput of the
system. Liberty Area in the current New York TRACON was created to do the job of lining
up and separating aircraft onto jet airways.
Each busy airport in the corridor, by contrast, has its own set of dedicated arrival airways.
Typically there are three or four arrival airways per airport, though some airports in some of
the alternatives have only two. Each busy airport (except JFK) has just one independent
arrival runway, though some have a lower-capacity overflow runway as well. With several
airways feeding one runway, the limiting factor on arrival throughput is the runways.
Airport delays, which are addressed in Section 9 dominate the arrival operation. Arrival
airspace delays will be close to zero, as long as visual meteorological conditions hold.
This analysis is restricted to departure airspace delays, which are additive to the airport
departure delays discussed in Section 9.

A.3 The Merging Model

Merges are the part of the airspace where delay is inevitable. Crossing traffic can be
resolved with altitudes, so delay is unpredictable and much smaller than in the merging case.
Figure A-1 illustrates the concept of delay at a merging point. In this example, the merge
point is a departure fix, which will show all the important features of the model. The logic is
the same en route, though the parameters may be different. Aircraft from each stream
approaching the merge point are spaced according to the separation requirement at the
airport, with expansion of the space as the aircraft accelerate (left panel). For either stream,
this would be enough to meet the separation requirement at the jet airways, but for the
combined stream more space will be needed. Small delays for a single aircraft are handled
by vectors and larger delay may require holds (center panel). If the delayed aircraft is at the
front of a closely spaced group, successive flights in the group will also be delayed
sufficiently to maintain the desired output (right panel).

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 Aircraft approaching the Times at fix are adjusted Successive aircraft may also
merging fix with runway and aircraft delayed be affected
separation
✱ ←
✱ ✱ ✱ ✱ ✱ ✱ ✱ ✱ ✱ ✱
✱
✱ ←
✱
✱ ✱
✱ ✱
✱

Figure A-1. Delay at Merging Point

Holding in departure airspace, or at a high-altitude merge between two jet airways, is
undesirable. Therefore, just before the loading for which meeting the required output
spacing will require a hold, a restriction is passed back to upstream fixes. Excessive delay at
the departure fix is passed back to the airports. This model applies the upstream restriction,
in multiples of 5 miles in trail, for the shortest time possible to resolve the congestion.
The study focused on the differences in the airspace delays among alternatives for the
departures from New York Metropolitan Airports for which operational modeling was
conducted - JFK, LGA, ISP, MMU, EWR, PHL, TEB, and HPN, and PHL. The first seven
airports share departure fixes as well as jet airways, so it will frequently be necessary to refer
to them collectively as NY metropolitan airports. The airport traffic was modeled in high
capacity configuration to place the greatest stress possible on the airspace.
The airspace delay metric was estimated by calculating the sum of the individual delays
of each aircraft at merging points, namely at departure fixes and at fixes on jet routes.

A.4 Airspace Delay Calculation Process

Obtaining the airspace delay estimate is a six-step process.

A.4.1 Select the Fixes Where Delay is to be Calculated

For departure fix delay, departure fixes from the NY metropolitan airports and PHL are
used. For jet route delay, a fix on each of the selected jet routes was used. The jet route fix
was selected from the first few named waypoints at which departures were required to be
merged on the jet route. Figure A-1 shows, for example, the fixes used in the airspace delay
calculation of the Future No Action Alternative. In the modeling of each alternative, a
detailed description of the fixes used is included at the start.

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A.4.2 Set the Separation Parameters at the Fix
The separation parameter, i.e., the desired output spacing to be used in delay calculations
was determined for each fix. The separation parameter is calculated based on the purpose of
the fix, the number of altitudes available at the fix, and the possible presence of overflight
traffic on the jet airway connected to the fix. Only fixes that feed en route airspace were
included. Tower-en-route fixes were not included, nor was tower-en-route traffic beneath a
stream to a jet airway.
Overflight traffic was included in the desired output spacing by increasing the spacing
from the minimum of eight miles. For example, if overflight traffic was one half the number
of NY/PHL departures, spacing would be increased from 8 to 12 miles to accommodate it.

A.4.3 Calculate the Delay at the Departure Fix

The unimpeded time over the departure fix is obtained from the history file of the airport-
only TAAM simulations.
The delay at the departure fix is calculated using the separation parameter set in the
previous step. The algorithm used in delay calculation is described in detail in a later section.
The time at fix of the trailing aircraft is adjusted if it needs to absorb any delay.
A geometrical analysis of Liberty West and Liberty North sectors in the current New
York TRACON was conducted to calculate a maximum vectoring time. (Zero winds were
assumed. Air traffic controllers can use the wind to increase this time, but an airspace design
must be robust enough to function even when this is not possible.) Approximately four
minutes can be absorbed for any given flight; if more is needed, departure restrictions are
enforced on the airport model.

A.4.4 Adjust the Time at the Jet Route Fix and Calculate the Delay
The unimpeded time at the jet route fix is obtained from the history file of the airport-
only TAAM simulations. Using the adjusted time at the fix from the previous step, the time
at the jet route fix is updated for each affected aircraft. The delay at the jet route fix is then
calculated using the same method as for the departure fix. For each fix, the maximum and
total delay in every 15 minute time period is analyzed to determine whether the delay at the
jet route fix is small enough to be absorbed in the airspace by slowing, and vectoring.
In the en route airspace, the maximum vectoring time was estimated from the minimum
time for a hold. The minimum holding time with one minute legs and turns of three degrees
per second is four minutes. This was used as the threshold after which holding would be
needed.
If slowing and vectoring are insufficient to achieve the desired output spacing, the time
period when the delay needs to be passed back to the departure fix is determined.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

A.4.5 Adjust the Separation Parameter at the Departure Fix and Calculate the Delay
During the time period identified by the previous step, the separation parameter of
affected departure fixes is increased. The delay is calculated for the departure fix and aircraft
time at the fix is updated.

A.4.6 Readjust the Time at the Jet Route Fix and Calculate the Delay
With the increased separation at the departure fix, aircraft will approach the jet route fix
with larger spacing. Jet route delay is analyzed again, and Steps 4 and 5 are repeated until
the delay observed at a jet route fix is small enough to be absorbed in the en route airspace.
Once the parameters have relaxed into an acceptable solution, the input times are randomized
and the process is repeated fifty times to get an average delay. This last step is necessary
because delays are typically experienced by fewer than ten aircraft in a group, and the
calculated delay could be sensitive to their exact order. Randomization typically produced a
standard deviation in the delay metric of about 10 percent of the mean for a single fix.

A.4.7 Exceptions
In most of the alternatives, there is at least one departure fix that serves more than one jet
airway. In the event of congestion on only one of those jet airways, traffic bound for the
congested airway is subjected to a different separation criterion from the fix as a whole. For
example, the desired output from ELIOT might be 5 MIT for all aircraft, but 10 MIT for J80
departures. The merge model accommodated such cases by calculating the distance between
aircraft pairs and ensuring that not only the aircraft pair affected by larger separation criteria
are separated but also that each aircraft pair are separated by the normal separation criteria.
As a result, the order of aircraft reaching the fix was sometimes changed after the time
adjustment.

A.5 Future No Action Alternative

Figure A-2 illustrates the fixes used in airspace delay calculation in the Future No Action
Alternative. The NY TRACON departure fixes used in the delay calculation include three
north gate fixes (GAYEL, NEION, and COATE), five west gate fixes (ELIOT, PARKE,
LANNA, BIGGY, and RBV), two south gate fixes (WHITE and WAVEY), three east gate
fixes (BAYYS, MERIT, and GREKI), and three oceanic departure fixes (SHIPP, HAPIE,
and BETTE). JFK satellite departures to the south merge with JFK departures at south of
WAVEY, but JFK dominates the traffic sufficiently that the delay was measured at
WAVEY with no loss of accuracy.
A few simplifications to the en-route flow were made to facilitate calculation. HAPIE
and BETTE are both used for North Atlantic departures. Availability of HAPIE is limited by
coordination with military users of the Warning Area, so frequently the streams are
combined. Therefore, HAPIE and BETTE are treated as one departure fix. Since this is an
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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

analysis of good-weather operations, it was assumed that no traffic would need severe
weather avoidance routes and the delay entering the Off-Shore Radar Routes was not
calculated.

Figure A-2. Delay on J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Future No Action
Alternative
PHL departures via MXE, STOEN, and OOD were included in the delay calculation
because they merge with departures from New York departures on jet routes within the study
area. PHL northeast departures are not extensively modeled because they are not in trail with
New York traffic within the study area. It was verified in the simulation output that PHL
traffic alone does not congest those airways.
Jet routes used in the delay calculations are J95, J36, J60, J64, J80, J6, J48, J75, J79, and
J209. Delay was not calculated for flights departing from New York via NEION and J223
because they have no merging flows, so separation at NEION was sufficient to ensure the en
route separation. Departures to the West Atlantic Route System merge with the traffic from
facilities other than the NY TRACON at a great distance from the departure fix (SHIPP) and
those departures are also out of the study area.
East gate departures (BAYYS, MERIT, and GREKI) were not analyzed for jet route
delay because arrivals to Boston Logan and its satellites are a large fraction of the traffic.

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Boston ARTCC and Boston TRACON can handle the congestion using more flexible
techniques than a pure jet-airway system. The remaining traffic, to the North Atlantic routes,
is insufficient to congest a radar-covered jet airway.

A.5.1 Separation at Departure Fixes

The list of departure fixes used and their parameter values is in Table A-1.

Table A-1. Future No Action Alternative Departure Fix Separations

Departure Fix Separation (nmi)

GAYEL 8
NEION 8
COATE 8
ELIOT 5
PARKE 8
LANNA 8
BIGGY 8
RBV 8
WHITE 10
WAVEY 10
BAYYS 5
BETTE/HAPIE 8
SHIPP 8
MERIT 8/5
GREKI 5
MXE 8
STOEN 8
OOD 10

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 Currently, the minimum separation of aircraft that is handed off from terminal airspace to
center airspace is 8 nmi. This was the value used for departure fix delay calculation with the
following exceptions:
• ELIOT was set to five nmi to simulate two altitudes. In practice, the piggyback
streams are not quite independent. Therefore two independent 8 mile streams could
not be used.
• WHITE and WAVEY were set to 10 nmi to accommodate the departures from ZBW
merging shortly beyond these fixes.
• East departures destined for airports in ZBW were set to five nmi because they are
usually handed off to ZBW at lower altitude and with minimal separation, except for
departures to overseas destinations which need to merge with NY overflights in
ZBW.

A.5.2 Separation on jet Route

Delay on jet routes was calculated by measuring the separation between aircraft at certain
fix on the jet route. The fix was selected such that all NY TRACON and PHL departures are
already merged on the jet route. At these distances from New York, all jet airways contain a
mixture of other traffic, so ten nmi was used as the base required separation to calculate the
delay on a jet route. For jet routes containing a large of traffic from airports other than New
York and PHL, the following adjustments were made.
• 13 nmi was used for J60, J80, and J75 because the traffic from NY TRACON and
PHL comprises only 75% to 80% of the total traffic, which includes overflights from
other centers.
• 15 nmi was used for J79 (south bound over land) and J209 (south bound over water)
because the traffic from NY TRACON and PHL consists of approximately 50% of
the total traffic.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table A-2. Future No Action Alternative Jet Route Separations
Jet Route Fix Used Separation (nmi)

J95 BUFFY 10
J36 DKK 10
J60 TYSUN 13
J64 VALLO 10
J80 VINSE 13
J6 MRB 10
J48 CSN 10
J75 BINKS 13
J79 LEESA 15
J209 ORF 15

Delays on J80 and J209 exceeded the threshold, so increased separation values at their
departure fixes were passed back during certain times of the day. Figures A-3 and A-4
illustrate the fixes that caused delay pass back and the departure fixes that are affected. After
several iteration of delay calculations at the departure fix and the jet route fix.
• 20 nmi is used for J80 departures via ELIOT and RBV, and J80/J6 departures via
MXE during 1120-1400, 1600-1700, 1920-2040, and 2340-0140 (all GMT).
• 15 nmi is used for WHITE, WAVEY, and OOD departures during 1100-1920 GMT.
Following the current practice between NY Center and NY TRACON, flights to ZDC
internal airports were exempt.

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Figure A-3. Delay on J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Future No Action
Alternative

Figure A-4. Delay on J209 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Future No Action
Alternative

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Table A-3 summarizes the separation parameter values including the increased separation for
pass back delay.

Table A-3. Future No Action Alternative Delay Passback to Departure Fixes

Departure Fix Normal Increased Delay Passed
Separation (nmi) Separation (nmi) Back From

GAYEL 8 - -
NEION 8 - -
COATE 8 - -
ELIOT 5 20 J80
PARKE 8 - -
LANNA 8 - -
BIGGY 8 - -
RBV 8 20 J80
WHITE 10 15 J209
WAVEY 10 15 J209
BAYYS 5 - -
BETTE/HAPIE 8 - -
SHIPP 8 - -
MERIT 8/5 - -
GREKI 5 - -
MXE 8 20 J80
STOEN 8 - -
OOD 10 15 J209

A.6 Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative

The Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative has one additional west bound route that
is used for arrivals to ZID and/or ZOB internal airports. Figure A-5 shows the fixes used in
delay calculations.

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Figure A-5. Fixes Used in Airspace Delay Calculations (Modifications to Existing
Airspace)

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A.6.1 Separation at Departure Fixes
In this alternative, departure fixes are the same as in the Future No Action Alternative.

Table A-4. Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative Departure Fix Separations

Departure Fix Separation (nmi)

GAYEL 8
NEION 8
COATE 8
ELIOT 5
PARKE 8
LANNA 8
BIGGY 8
RBV 8
WHITE 10
WAVEY 10
BAYYS 5
BETTE/HAPIE 8
SHIPP 8
MERIT 8/5
GREKI 5
MXE 8
STOEN 8
OOD 10

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 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

A.6.2 Separation on Jet Route
The same fixes and parameters were used to calculate airspace delay in this alternative
except for an additional en route fix to calculate the delay on the additional jet route parallel
to and north of J80. The same parameter as J80, 13 nmi, was assigned to this fix.

Table A-5. Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative Jet Route Separations

Jet Route Fix Used Separation (nmi)

J95 BUFFY 10
J36 DKK 10
J60 TYSUN 13
J64 VALLO 10
J80 Offset North of THS 13
J80 VINSE 13
J6 MRB 10
J48 CSN 10
J75 BINKS 13
J79 LEESA 15
J209 ORF 15

The delays observed on J80 and J209 exceeded the threshold, as in Future No Action, so
increased separation values at their departure fixes were passed back during certain times of
the day. Figure A-6 shows the passback from J80. After several iteration of delay
calculations at the departure fix and the jet route fix, the following conclusion was reached.
• 15 nmi is used for J80 departures via ELIOT and RBV, and J80/J6 departures via
MXE during 1100-1220 and 1620-1720 (all GMT).
• 20 nmi is used for J80 departures via ELIOT and RBV, and J80/J6 departures via
MXE during 1220-1340 (all GMT).

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 Figure A-6. Delay at J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Modifications to
Existing Airspace Alternative

South departures are the same as the Future No Action Alternative and the separation at
WHITE, WAVEY, and OOD is increased from 10 nmi to 15 nmi during 1100-1920 GMT.
Figure A-7 illustrates the delay at J209 being passed back to WHITE, WAVEY, and OOD.

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Figure A-7. Delay at J209 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Modifications to
Existing Airspace Alternative

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 For other fixes, the separation parameters are shown in Table A-6. They are generally
identical to the parameters in the Future No Action Alternative.

Table A-6. Modifications to Existing Airspace Alternative Delay Passback to

Departure Fixes
Departure Fix Normal Increased Delay Passed
Separation (nmi) Separation (nmi) Back From

GAYEL 8 - -
NEION 8 - -
COATE 8 - -
ELIOT 5 15/20/15 J80
PARKE 8 - -
LANNA 8 - -
BIGGY 8 - -
RBV 8 15/20/15 J80
WHITE 10 15 J209
WAVEY 10 15 J209
BAYYS 5 - -
BETTE/HAPIE 8 - -
SHIPP 8 - -
MERIT 8/5 - -
GREKI 5 - -
MXE 8 15/20/15 J80
STOEN 8 - -
OOD 10 15 J209

A.7 Ocean Routing Alternative

Figure A-8 shows the fixes used in the delay calculations in Ocean Routing Alternative.
The Ocean Routing Alternative has two additional departure fixes. The en route fixes used
for delay calculation are the same as for the Future No Action Alternative, but the ways in
which traffic arrives at them are different.

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 Figure A-8. Fixes Used in Airspace Delay Calculation (Ocean Routing Alternative)

A.7.1 Separation at Departure Fixes

The Ocean Routing Alternative adds two additional departure fixes, CYN and SIE, to the
set of departure fixes in Future No Action, as shown in Table A-7. EWR departures to J80,
J6, J48, and J75 are routed east, south and then west to CYN in place of the west gate fixes.
JFK departures to J80, J6, J48, and J75 use CYN in place of RBV. SIE is the departure fix
used by EWR departures to J79 and J209 in place of WHITE in the Future No Action
Alternative.

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 Eight nmi was used in calculating delay at CYN and SIE; these fixes have no overflight
traffic with which to merge.

Table A-7. Ocean Routing Alternative Departure Fix Separations

Departure Fix Separation (nmi)

GAYEL 8
NEION 8
COATE 8
ELIOT 5
PARKE 8
LANNA 8
BIGGY 8
RBV 8
CYN 8
WHITE 10
WAVEY 10
SIE 8
BAYYS 5
BETTE/HAPIE 8
SHIPP 8
MERIT 8/5
GREKI 5
MXE 8
STOEN 8
OOD 10

A.7.2 Separation on Jet Routes

The same set of en route fixes and parameters as was used in the Future No Action
Alternative was used in this alternative. Table A-8 recapitulates. Jet route delay calculations
indicate that there is no need to increase the separation parameter values for RBV, WHITE,
WAVEY, OOD, nor SIE. However, the delay observed on J80 indicates that the separation
at three departure fixes, ELIOT, MXE, and CYN, needs to be increased. 20 nmi was used
for J80 departures via ELIOT, CYN, and J80/J6 departures via MXE during 1920-2100 and
2240-0200 (all GMT). Figure A-9 illustrates the delay on J80 being passed back to ELIOT,

A-19

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

MXE, and CYN. For other fixes, the same parameters as in the Future Future No Action
Alternative were used as shown in Table A-9.

Table A-8. Ocean Routing Alternative Jet Route Separations

Jet Route Fix Used Separation (nmi)

J95 BUFFY 10
J36 DKK 10
J60 TYSUN 13
J64 VALLO 10
J80 VINSE 13
J6 MRB 10
J48 CSN 10
J75 BINKS 13
J79 LEESA 15
J209 ORF 15

Figure A-9. Delay at J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Ocean Routing
Alternative

A-20

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table A-9. Ocean Routing Alternative Delay Passback to Departure Fixes
Departure Fix Normal Increased Delay passed
Separation (nmi) Separation back from
(nmi)

GAYEL 8 - -
NEION 8 - -
COATE 8 - -
ELIOT 5 20 J80
PARKE 8 - -
LANNA 8 - -
BIGGY 8 - -
RBV 8 - -
CYN 8 20 J80
WHITE 10 - -
WAVEY 10 - -
SIE 10 - -
BAYYS 5 - -
BETTE/HAPIE 8 - -
SHIPP 8 - -
MERIT 8/5 - -
GREKI 5 - -
MXE 8 20 J80
STOEN 8 - -
OOD 10 - -

A.8 Integrated Airspace Alternative

The Integrated Airspace Alternative has one additional west gate departure fix and one
additional west bound route. Also, JFK satellite departures to J79 and J209 are given a
separate route from JFK departures. Figure A-10 shows the fixes used in delay calculations
in the Integrated Airspace Alternative.

A-21

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure A-10. Fixes Used in Airspace Delay Calculations for Integrated Airspace
Alternative

A.8.1 Separation at Departure Fixes

In the Integrated Airspace Alternative, west gate consists of five departure fixes instead
of four in the Future Future No Action Alternative. The additional fix (2nd ELIOT) serves
departures to J80. ELIOT was shifted slightly to the north (ELIOT Offset) and it serves J60
and J64 departures. The rest of the west gate departure fixes (PARKE, LANNA, and
BIGGY) were moved slightly to the south to accommodate 2nd ELIOT. The separation
parameter for ELIOT offset and 2nd ELIOT were set to eight nmi because they are single
streams like the other fixes (Table A-10).

A-22

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Table A-10. Integrated Airspace Alternative Departure Fix and Separations
Departure Fix Separation (nmi)

GAYEL 8
NEION 8
COATE 8
ELIOT Offset 8
nd
2 ELIOT 8
PARKE Offset 8
LANNA Offset 8
BIGGY Offset 8
RBV 8
WHITE 10
WAVEY 10
BAYYS 5
BETTE/HAPIE 8
SHIPP 8
MERIT 8/5
GREKI 5
MXE 8
STOEN 8
OOD 10

A-23

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

A.8.2 Separation on Jet Routes
The same fixes and parameters were used to calculate airspace delay in this alternative
except for an additional en route fix to calculate the delay on the additional jet route parallel
to and north of J80. The same parameter as J80, 13 nmi, was assigned to this fix.

Table A-11. Integrated Airspace Alternative Jet Route Fix and Separations
Jet Route Fix Used Separation (nmi)

J95 BUFFY 10
J36 DKK 10
J60 TYSUN 13
J64 VALLO 10
J80 Offset North of THS 13
J80 VINSE 13
J6 MRB 10
J48 CSN 10
J75 BINKS 13
J79 LEESA 15
J209 ORF 15

The delays observed on J80 indicate that the separation values at its departure fixes need
to be increased during certain times of the day. After several iterations of delay calculations
at the departure fix and the jet route fix, the following conclusion was reached.
• 15 nmi is used for J80 departures via ELIOT and RBV, and J80/J6 departures via
MXE during 1100-1220 and 1620-1720 (all GMT).
• 20 nmi is used for J80 departures via ELIOT and RBV, and J80/J6 departures via
MXE during 1220-1340 (all GMT).
Figures A-11 and A-12 illustrate the fixes that caused delay pass back and the departure
fixes that are affected. South departures are the same as the Future No Action Alternative .
The separation at WHITE, WAVEY, and OOD is increased from 15 nmi from 1100 to 1920
GMT.

A-24

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure A-11. Delay at J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Integrated Airspace
Alternative

Figure A-12. Delay at J80 Passed Back to Departure Fixes in Ocean Routing
Alternative
For other fixes, the same parameters as in the Future No Action Alternative were used as
shown in Table A-12.

A-25

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table A-12. Integrated Airspace Delay Passback to Departure Fixes
Departure Fix Normal Increased Delay Passed
Separation (nmi) Separation (nmi) Back From

GAYEL 8 - -
NEION 8 - -
COATE 8 - -
ELIOT Offset 8 15/20/15 J80
nd
2 ELIOT 8 - -
PARKE Offset 8 - -
LANNA Offset 8 - -
BIGGY Offset 8 - -
RBV 8 15/20/15 J80
WHITE 10 15 J209
WAVEY 10 15 J209
BAYYS 5 - -
BETTE/HAPIE 8 - -
SHIPP 8 - -
MERIT 8/5 - -
GREKI 5 - -
MXE 8 15/20/15 J80
STOEN 8 - -
OOD 10 15 J209

A.9 Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative

In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, the number of
departure routes to the west is increased to eight and the number of departure fixes in the
west gate is increased to six. PHL has one additional west departure fix that serves J80 offset
departures. The number of departure fixes in the north gate is the same as the Future No
Action Alternative; however, 5 routes are served by those 3 departure gates. Figure A-13
shows the fixes used in delay calculation in the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative.

A-26

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Figure A-13. Fixes Used in Airspace Delay Calculation for Integrated Airspace with
Integrated Control Complex Alternative

A.9.1 Delays at Departure Fixes

In the Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative, each of the
north and west gate departure fixes accept traffic in two layers, therefore five nmi was used
to calculate delay at the fix, by analogy with the current ELIOT fix. Separation parameters
are shown in Table A-13. For the rest of the fixes, the same parameter was used as in the
Future No Action Alternative: Two south departure fixes were set to 10 nmi, and east
departures were set to five nmi.

A-27

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table A-13. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative
Departure Fix Separations

Departure Separation
Fix (nmi)
[North] 5
[West] 5
[South] 10
BETTE/HAPIE 8
SHIPP 8
BAYYS 5
MERIT 8/5
GREKI 5
MXE North 8
MXE South 8
OOD Offset 10

A.9.2 Separation on Jet Route

The same fixes and parameters were used to calculate airspace delay in the Integrated
Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative except for an additional fix to
calculate the delay on the additional jet route parallel to and north of J80 as shown in
Table A-14. The same parameter as J80, 13 nmi, was assigned to this fix. S2W is used for
only departures to airports in Washington ARTCC (RDU, for example). Traffic is light,
therefore no delay was calculated for this fix.
The Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative did not require any
passbacks of jet route delay to departure fixes.

A-28

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Table A-14. Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex Alternative Jet
Route Separations
Route Fix Used Separation (nmi)

N1E SYR 10
J95 BUF 10
N1W YQO 10
J36 DKK 10
N3 PSI 10
W2 ETG 10
W3 OXI 10
W4 FWA 10
J80 Offset North of THS 13
J80 THS 13
J6 MRB 10
J48 CSN 10
J75 GVE 13
J79 LEESA Offset 15
J209 ORF Offset 15

A.10 Results
The delay results generated by the methods described in this Appendix are presented in
Section 9.

A-29

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Appendix B
Traffic Sensitivity Analysis

B.1 Background
The demand that drives the operational analysis is a forecast of air traffic in 2006 and
2011 extrapolated from observed operations in 2000. The primary change in the fleet mix
that was foreseen in 2000 was the replacement of turboprop aircraft with regional jets (RJs).
The ongoing restructuring in the airline industry has led to changes in aircraft types on
many routes. The need to reduce operating costs has resulted in the retirement of older, less
efficient aircraft. Customer demand for increased frequency of service, combined with the
retirement of older aircraft, has led to the replacement of many large narrow body and wide
body jets with regional jets. The same forces have caused many intercontinental jets (B747,
DC10, and the Concorde) to be replaced with less-expensive twinjets.
These changes in the NY/NJ/PHL fleet mix are expected to continue, so it is necessary to
investigate their implications on the conclusions of the operational analysis. This Appendix
describes a comparative analysis of the forecast fleet mix with the fleet observed in 2004, the
changes that were necessary to correct the forecast, and the operational results obtained from
changing the input fleet mix.

B.2 Approach
The approach used to evaluate whether the operational conclusions derived from the
forecast fleet mix are representative of current air traffic forecasts in terms of the distribution
of RJs and jumbo jets was a four-step process.
1. Analyze the distributions in current 2004 Official Airline Guide (OAG) data for each
of the airports included in the analysis.
2. Compare the 2004 OAG distribution of RJs and jumbo jets to the distributions in the
2006 and 2011 air traffic forecasts used for the operational analysis.
3. If the 2006 and 2011 air traffic forecasts are not representative of the 2004 OAG fleet
distribution (i.e., there are too few RJs or there are too many jumbo jets), update the
forecast to use the 2004 OAG fleet distribution of RJs and jumbo jets.
4. Rerun the NY/NJ/PHL simulations with the updated air traffic forecasts to determine
whether the overall results are affected by the fleet mix change.
A recent day of OAG data for each airport was used to calculate the distribution of RJs
and jumbo jets. These distributions were compared to the air traffic forecast used for the

B-1

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

operational analysis for 2006 and 2011. Figure B-1 provides these distributions for the 2004
OAG data and the 2006 and 2011 air traffic forecasts for each airport.
2004 OAG Fleet Mix 2006 Forecast Fleet Mix 2011 Forecast Fleet Mix

RJs RJs RJs

9% Jumbo 16% 24%
9% Jumbo
6% Jumbo
JFK 5%
Other Other Other
82% 78% 71%

RJs RJs RJs

31% 37% 37%

LGA
Jumbo Other Other
Other 0% 63% Jumbo 63% Jumbo
69% 0% 0%

RJs
RJs
24%
24%
RJs
Jumbo 42%
Jumbo
ISP 0%
0% Other
58%
Other Other
76% Jumbo
76% 0%

RJs RJs
RJs
22% 27%
22%
Jumbo
Jumbo Jumbo
0%
0%
PHL 0%
Other
Other 73%
Other
78%
78%
Other
23%
RJs
41% Other Jumbo
47% RJs
Other 0%
53%
HPN 59%
Jumbo Jumbo RJs
0% 0% 77%

RJs
RJs 17%
16%
RJs Jumbo
Jumbo 1%
38%
EWR 1%
Other
61%
Jumbo Other
1% Other 82%
83%

Figure B-1. NY Fleet Mix Distributions

B-2

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The OAG contains information on scheduled flights only. Since most of the flights at
TEB and MMU are unscheduled, flight data from the Enhanced Traffic Management System
(ETMS) were analyzed. A majority of the turbojet flights to and from these airports are
business jets, which is reflected in both the air traffic forecasts and the ETMS data. There
are no RJs or jumbo jets at either airport.
The distributions of jumbo jets in the 2006 and 2011 forecast fleet mix for all of the
airports are all less than or equal to the corresponding distributions in the 2004 OAG data.
Since there are not too many jumbo jets in the forecast fleet mix for the airports in the study,
no changes to the jumbo jet traffic mix were made.
The distributions of RJs in the 2006 and 2011 forecast fleet mix for JFK, LGA, ISP, PHL
and HPN are all greater than or equal to the corresponding distributions in the 2004 OAG
data, so further analysis of these airports was not necessary.
EWR was the only airport that had a lower percentage of RJs in the air traffic forecasts
than the 2004 OAG data. RJs accounted for 16% and 17%, respectively, in the 2006 and
2011 air traffic forecasts, while the distribution in the 2004 OAG data was about 38%. Only
at EWR did the air traffic forecast require changes to more accurately represent the current
distribution of RJs.

B.3 Converting Older Aircraft to RJs at EWR

The approach used to update the EWR traffic forecasts to more accurately reflect the
2004 OAG distribution of RJs was to convert other aircraft in the forecast to RJs, specifically
from the following aircraft types:

• B757 • B73B • DC9

• B73A • MD80 • DC10

Of the aircraft types being converted from the above list, only flights traveling to or from
nearby Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs) were converted to RJs, the assumption
being that RJs would not fly the longer distances beyond these centers. These ARTCCs are
highlighted in Figure B-2. Flights to and from Canadian airports in Ontario and eastward
were also eligible for substitution. For the 2006 air traffic forecast, 312 flights were
converted to RJs; for 2011, 308 flights were converted to RJs.

B-3

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 ZSE
ZMP
ZBW
ZLC
ZAU
ZOB
ZDV

ZNY
ZID
ZOA ZKC

ZDC

ZLA ZME ZTL

ZAB ZFW

ZJX

ZHU

ZMA

ARTCC O/D flights Eligible

for Conversion to RJs

Figure B-2. ARTCC Origins/Destinations (O/D) Eligible for Conversions to RJs

B.4 EWR Results

Though there were small differences in delay and throughput using the 2004 fleet mix,
the operational conclusions of the study are the same as those with the original forecast fleet
mix. Figure B-3 shows the traffic-weighted EWR arrival delay comparing the forecast fleet
mix to the 2004 OAG fleet mix for 2006 and 2011. The traffic-weighted delay results are
calculated using 55% of the High Capacity configuration results and 45% of the Low
Capacity configuration results to accurately reflect the usage of both configurations. The
arrival delay results of the forecast fleet mix and the 2004 OAG fleet mix are within 10% of
each other. Figure B-4 shows the traffic-weighted EWR departure delay comparing the
forecast fleet mix to the 2004 OAG fleet mix for 2006 and 2011. The departure delay results
of the forecast fleet mix and the 2004 OAG fleet mix are also within 10% of each other,
except for the Ocean Routing Alternative. The differences between the results are discussed
in more detail in the paragraphs below.

B-4

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

40

30

20

10

0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integ.,NoBldg Integrated
Routing

Forecast Fleet Mix (2006) 2004 Fleet Mix (2006)

Forecast Fleet Mix (2011) 2004 Fleet Mix (2011)

Figure B-3. EWR Average Arrival Delay

50

40

30

20

10

0
No Action Modifications Ocean Integ.,NoBldg Integrated
Routing

Forecast Fleet Mix (2006) 2004 Fleet Mix (2006)

Forecast Fleet Mix (2011) 2004 Fleet Mix (2011)

Figure B-4. EWR Average Departure Delay

B-5

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 The overflow runways at EWR, Runway 11 for arrivals and Runway 29 for departures,
carry more operations with the increased number of regional jets in the 2004 fleet mix. The
usage of Runways 11 and 29 is limited to propeller-driven aircraft and small or regional jets.
Runway 29 is open for departures from 10:00 – 16:00 GMT to accommodate the morning
departure push. Runway 11 is open for arrivals for the remainder of the day. With the
increased number of regional jets in the 2004 fleet mix, there are more flights available to
use the overflow runways. This study assumes that the regional jet pilots will accept the use
of the overflow runway. With the increased usage of the overflow runways, there is lower
demand on the main runway(s), which decreases the overall delay during the time that the
overflow runway is open.
Figures B-5 and B-6 show the arrival throughput by runway for the Future No Action
Alternative in the Low Capacity configuration based on the 2011 forecast fleet mix and the
2004 fleet mix, respectively. Runway 11 usage is shown as the difference between the 04R
line and the all runways line on the graph. With the 2011 forecast fleet mix, 40 flights use
Runway 11; while in the case of the 2004 fleet mix, 64 flights use Runway 11.

04R All Runways

50
Number of Arrivals

40

30

20

10

0
10

12

14

16

18

20

22

10

12
0

Hour

Figure B-5. EWR Arrival Throughput by Runway - 2011 Forecast Fleet Mix

B-6

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 04R All Runways

50

Number of Arrivals 40

30

20

10

0
10

12

14

16

18

20

22

10

12
Hour

Figure B-6. EWR Arrival Throughput by Runway - 2004 Forecast Fleet Mix
As a result of the increased arrival throughput on Runway 11, which is open for a
majority of the day, the overall arrival delay is lower with the 2004 fleet mix. Figure B-7
shows the average arrival delay per aircraft for the 2011 forecast fleet mix and the 2004 fleet
mix.

Forecast Fleet Mix 2004 Fleet Mix

Average Delay per Aircraft

100
80
60
(min)

40
20
0
10

12

14

16

18

20

22

10

12
0

Hour

Figure B-7. EWR Future No Action Alternative Average Arrival Delay

(Low Capacity Configuration)

B-7

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Figures B-8 and B-9 show the departure throughput by runway for the Future No Action
Alternative in the Low Capacity configuration based on the 2011 forecast fleet mix and the
2004 fleet mix, respectively. Runway 29 usage is shown as the difference between the 04L
line and the all runways line on the graph. With the 2011 forecast fleet mix, 44 flights use
Runway 29; while in the case of the 2004 fleet mix, 86 flights use Runway 29.

04L All Runways

70
Number of Departures

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
10

12

14

16

18

20

22

10
0

8
Hour

Figure B-8. EWR Departure Throughput by Runway - 2011 Forecast Fleet Mix

04L All Runways

70
Number of Departures

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
10

12

14

16

18

20

22

10

Hour

Figure B-9. EWR Departure Throughput by Runway - 2004 Fleet Mix

B-8

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Departure delay for the main runway is about the same when fanned departure headings
are used (Integrated Airspace Alternative and Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control
Complex Alternative in the High Capacity configuration). Figure B-10 shows the average
departure delay for the Integrated Airspace Alternative in the High Capacity configuration
with the 2011 forecast and 2004 fleet mix. During the hours of 10:00 - 16:00 GMT, the
delay is lower with the 2004 fleet mix because of the increased usage of the overflow
runway. For the remaining hours of the day, the overflow runway is closed for departures
and the average departure delay on Runway 22R is about the same with the 2011 forecast
fleet mix and the 2004 fleet mix.

Forecast Fleet Mix 2004 Fleet Mix

Average Delay per Aircraft

20

15
(min)

10

0
10

12

14

16

18

20

22

4
Hour

Figure B-10. EWR Integrated Airspace with Integrated Control Complex

Alternative Average Departure Delay (High Capacity Configuration)
In the Future No Action Alternative when fanned headings are not used, there is
increased departure delay on the main runway with the 2004 fleet mix. This increased
departure delay occurs because the number of regional jets in the fleet mix is increased and
their climb-out speed is slower than the aircraft type they were converted from in the forecast
fleet mix. The slower climb-out speed of the RJs increases the delay of the aircraft waiting
behind them. Figure B-11 shows the average departure delay for the Future No Action
Alternative in the High Capacity configuration with the 2011 forecast fleet mix and the 2004
fleet mix. During the hours of 10:00 - 16:00 GMT, the delay is lower with the 2004 fleet
mix because of the increased usage of the overflow runway. For the remaining hours of the
day, the overflow runway is closed for departures. The average delay per departure after
16:00 GMT is generally higher, thus the net result is slightly higher delay with the 2004 fleet
mix.

B-9

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Forecast Fleet Mix 2004 Fleet Mix

Average Delay per Aircraft

80
70
60
50
(min) 40
30
20
10
0
10

12

14

16

18

20

22

4
Hour

Figure B-11. EWR Future No Action Alternative Average Departure Delay

(High Capacity Configuration)
For the Ocean Routing Alternative with no fanned headings on departures, the departure
delay is higher with the forecast fleet mix than with the 2004 fleet mix. Figure B-12 shows
the average departure delay for the Ocean Routing Alternative in the High Capacity
configuration with the 2011 forecast fleet mix and the 2004 fleet mix. In this alternative,
increased departure separation is required on the main runway because departures to the
south and west are kept in trail for much longer than in the Future No Action Alternative.
With this restriction, the departure throughput on the main runway is reduced from the
Future No Action Alternative. With the 2004 fleet mix, more of these flights can depart on
Runway 29 in the early hours, thus reducing the demand on the main runway. The effect of
the reduced demand on the main runway in the early hours continues throughout the day,
resulting in lower delay than with the forecast fleet mix.
There is always the question of whether the RJ pilots are willing to depart on the shorter
runway (Runway 29). Faced with the long delays on the main runway in the Ocean Routing
Alternative, the shorter runway may become more attractive to these pilots leading to higher
usage of Runway 29.

B-10

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

 Forecast Fleet Mix 2004 Fleet Mix

Avg Delay per Aircraft (min)

200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0

8
10

12

14

16

18

20

22
Hour

Figure B-12. EWR Ocean Routing Alternative Average Departure Delay

(High Capacity Configuration)
B.5 Summary
The distribution of jumbo jets at all the airports in the study indicates that the forecast
fleet mix does not have too many jumbo jets as compared to the current 2004 fleet mix
distribution. An analysis of the distribution of RJs for all airports but EWR indicates that the
forecast fleet mix has enough RJs as compared to the current 2004 fleet mix distributions.
Only at EWR did the original traffic forecast need updating to accommodate the changes
in demand patterns of the past few years. EWR did not have enough RJs and so further
analysis was conducted to determine the impact of the operational results if the distribution
of RJs was increased to reflect the current distribution of RJs at EWR. The results show that
the relative ranking of the various metrics evaluated is not affected by the changes in the
forecast fleet mix. At EWR, the increase in regional jet traffic makes it possible to decrease
overall delays due to runway congestion, assuming maximum use of the overflow runway.
Any delay improvements shown in Figures B-2 and B-3 reflect an upper bound, assuming
that all aircraft that can use Runways 11 and 29 do so.

B-11

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Glossary
Airspace Delay
Delay caused by the requirement to organize aircraft into structured flows. It may be
taken in the air, or in the event of passed-back separation requirements, on the ground
before departure.
Airborne Delay
Delay taken by an aircraft after departure. It may be due to any cause.
Ground Delay
Delay taken by an aircraft before liftoff. It may be due to any cause.
Airport Delay
Delay caused by runway or taxiway capacity limitations. Airport delay of departures is
taken on the ground at the airport that caused it. Airport delay of arrivals may be taken in
the air or on the ground at the origin airport.
Arrival Airspace Delay
Airspace delay taken by arriving aircraft. It is caused by capacity limits in the last en-
route center through which a flight passes. Arrival airspace delays are typically much
smaller than airport delays.
Airport Departure Delay
Airport delay taken by departing aircraft.
Departure Airspace Delay
Airspace delay taken by departures. It may be due to departure fix capacity or jet airway
capacity in the first en-route center through which the flight passes.
Departure Fix Delay
Delay caused by the requirement to create one or more streams of aircraft for handoff
from departure control to an en-route center. Small delays are taken in the air at low
altitudes; larger delays are passed back to the airport surface.

GL-1

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Jet Route Delay
Delay caused by the requirement to form aircraft into a single stream on a jet airway. It is
taken in the air, in a sector containing a merge point. It has a maximum value of roughly
four minutes for any flight, before it must be passed back to the departure fix or the
departure airport.

GL-2

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.

Acronyms
AIM Aeronautical Information Manual
ARTCC Air Route Traffic Control Center
ARTS Automated Radar Terminal System
ATC Air Traffic Control
CAASD Center for Advanced Aviation System Development
CATER Computerized Analysis of Terminal Records
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FL Flight Level
FMS Flight Management System
GA General Aviation
IFR Instrument Flight Rules
MINIT Minutes in Trail
MIT Miles in Trail
NAR National Airspace Redesign
NAVAID Navigational Aid
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NYICC New York Integrated Control Complex
OAG Official Airline Guide
RAPTOR Radar Audio Playback Terminal Operations Recording
RNAV Area Navigation
SAR System Analysis Recording
SDAT Sector Design and Analysis Tool
TAAM Total Airspace and Airport Modeller
TEC Tower En route Control
VFR Visual Flight Rules
VMC Visual Meteorological Conditions

GL-3

 2005 The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.