CEE 5614 Analysis of Air Transportation Systems
	Course Information Course Objectives Textbook and Materials Course Evaluation Homework Policy Office Hours Syllabus (Weekly Planner) Assignments Matlab Files for CEE 5614 Web Site Links Student Presentations

I. COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor	Dr. Antonio A. Trani Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Office	Patton Hall 301-P
Telephone	231-4418
Electronic Mail	Email: vuela@vt.edu
Class Hours	11:15 AM - 12:05 PM MWF (ENGEL 219)
Course Number : CRN12342 (11M)

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This course is designed for all engineering students willing to learn how air transportation systems are designed and planned. The course is suitable for all engineering and science students interested in air transportation. This course requires the students to have some confidence in computer skills such as the use of spreadsheets, little programming and willingness to actively participate in this learning environment. Experiental learning and group skills are usually emphasized in this course.

 

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II. COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To learn tools and methods to design, plan, and analyze air transportation systems,
• To understand the technology and basic performance of aircraft as they operate in the air transportation system,
• To understand the operating principles of Air Traffic Control (ATC) and aircraft operations in National Airspace System and worldwide,
• To understand the basic principles of airline operations research,
• To understand the principles of operation of airfield simulation models and their application in NAS studies.

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III. TEXTBOOK AND READING MATERIALS

The following materials will be used to support the lectures in this class.

CEE 5614 - Analysis of Air Transportation Systems Course Notes. Notes are posted on my web sitee under the syllabus page.

Other reading materials will taken from the following sources (available free on the Internet).

Reference	Name	Description and Remarks	Internet Link
1	Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge	Simple textbook to understand aircraft flight and aircraft performance issues. Good illustrations and simple language.	https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak
2	Aeronautical Information Manual	Provides useful information for pilots and ATC people on basic flight information and procedures in the U.S. 2019.	https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/
3	Instrument Procedures Handbook	Federal Aviation Administation, FAA-H-8083-16, 2014. Explains how instrument procedures are executed in the U.S.	https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/
4	Air Traffic Control	Handbook of Air Traffic Control. FAA Order 7110.65Z, Federal Aviation Administation, May 5, 2021.	https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.current/documentnumber/7110.65
5	Airport Capacity Profiles	Provides a view of today's large hub airport capacities	https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/profiles
6	Comparison of Air Traffic Management-Related Operational Performance: U.S./Europe	Compares Air Traffic Management Metrics between US and Europe.	https://www.eurocontrol.int/publication/useurope-comparison-air-traffic-management-related-operational-performance-2017

The MATLAB numerical package will be used to implement many of the algorithms presented in this course. There are many references available on the subject including the MATLAB Student version. Matlab can be purchased at the VT Software Distribution- ITA (TOR Hall 3rd floor). Off-campus students can purchase Matlab from ITA. The student is expected to read all the materials assigned as these are crucial to the comprehension of the topic.

If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in class, other suggested readings will be taken from the following materials.

• Optimizing Jet Transport Efficiency. Carlos E. Padilla, McGraw-Hill, 1996 .
• Fundamentals of Air Traffic Control: 5th Edition. Michael S. Nolan, Cengage Brain., February 2011.
• Flight to the future : Human Factors of Air Traffic Control. Christopher D. Wickens, Anne S. Mavor, and James, P. McGee, editors ; Panel on Human Factors in Air Traffic Control Automation, National Academy Press, 1997.
• Airline Operations Research, by Dusan Teodorovic. Gordon Breach Publishers, 1991.
• Air Transportation Systems Engineering (Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 193). George L.Donohue and Andres G. Zellweger (Editors), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, AIAA, 2001).
• Air Transport Systems Analysis and Modelling (Transportation Studies), by Milan Janic, Gordon Breach Inc., 2001. (2-hour reserve in Newman Library).
• Transportation Demand Analysis. Adib Kanafani. McGraw-Hill, 1983.
• Issues in Air Transportation and Airport Management, TRB 1094, Transportation Research Board, 1986.

Readings from transportation journals for various topics will be assigned to complement your knowledge of the subject.

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IV. COMPUTER LITERACY

This course will emphasize the use of computer solutions to many of the techniques presented in class. Students are expected to have access to a computer and be able to perform basic Matlab script and Excel execution and tasks for some of the homework assignments to be given in class.At the same time all students are expected to have access to the Internet to retrieve document materials relevent to this course. MATLAB and Excel will be the software used in this course to provide a unified framework in the presentation of the algorithms discussed in class. I will present a couple of lectures on how to use this numerical package to bring you up to speed.

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V. HOMEWORK

You are required to attend all lectures and you are responsible for all the materials covered in class including the content of other student presentations. Homework will be assigned as closely as possible to the course schedule provided. No late assignments will be accepted unless there is a very justifiable reason. You are expected to attempt all the assignments as they count towards a good fraction of your grade. Homework will be assigned once every week and will be due the following week before class. You submit the assignments via Canvas. Grades will also be posted in Canvas.

All students must adhere to the Honor Code Policies of Virginia Tech. The Honor Code will be strictly enforced in this course. All assignments shall be considered graded work, unless otherwise noted. All aspects of your coursework are covered by the honor system. Any suspected violations of the Honor Code will be promptly reported to the Honor Dystem. Honesty in your academic work will develop into professional integrity. The faculty and students of Virginia Tech will not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty. If you have questions about the Honor Code of Virginia Tech please refer to your student handbook or read more about it at http://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/.

I encourage discussion between individuals in class and outside class on how to solve problems. However, it is expected that you turn in individual assignments that truly reflect your own work. This is critical for you to do well in the partial and final exams. I would like to see your homework assignments organized in the following sections:

1. Problem description,
2. Flowchart (if applicable) or a verbal description of the approach to solve the problem,
3. Problem solution (including computations),
4. Comments on the solution obtained (including some reality check).

Things to watch in homeworks: a) figures and tables without labels and captions, b) results without calculations, c) results without comments or explanations, d) number of significant figures in tables and results, e) grammar errors and incoherent statements. All of these issues will result in a penalty.

I expect you to follow the Honor Code of Virginia Tech. If you do not know the Honor Code of Virginia Tech please refer to your student handbook or read more about it at http://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/. The Undergraduate Honor Code pledge that each member of the university community agrees to abide by states:

“As a Hokie, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times.  I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.”

Students enrolled in this course are responsible for abiding by the Honor Code. A student who has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the course instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the University community from the requirements and expectations of the Honor Code.  Academic integrity expectations are the same for online classes as they are for in person classes.

Honor Code Pledge for Assignments: The Virginia Tech honor code pledge for assignments is as follows: 

“I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this assignment.”

The pledge is to be written out on all graded assignments at the university and signed by the student.  The honor pledge represents both an expression of the student’s support of the honor code and a commitment to uphold the academic standards at Virginia Tech. 

• All assignments submitted shall be considered “graded work” and all aspects of your coursework are covered by the Honor Code. All projects and homework assignments are to be completed individually unless otherwise specified.
• The Academic Integrity expectations for Hokies are the same in an online class as they are in an in-person class.  Hokies are expected to meet the academic integrity standards at Virginia Tech at all times.
• Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute academic misconduct. This listing is not, however, exclusive of other acts that may reasonably be said to constitute academic misconduct. Clarification is provided for each definition with some examples of prohibited behaviors in the Undergraduate Honor Code Manual located at https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/
• CHEATING:  Cheating includes the intentional use of unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or other devices or materials in any academic exercise, or attempts thereof.
• PLAGIARISM:  Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, programming, computer code, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and passing off the same as one's own original work, or attempts thereof.
• FALSIFICATION:  Falsification includes the statement of any untruth, either verbally or in writing, with respect to any element of one's academic work, or attempts thereof.
• FABRICATION:  Fabrication includes making up data and results, and recording or reporting them, or submitting fabricated documents, or attempts thereof.
• MULTIPLE SUBMISSION:  Multiple submission involves the submission for credit – without authorization from the instructor receiving the work – of substantial portions of any work (including oral reports) previously submitted for credit at any academic institution of attempts thereof.
• COMPLICITY:  Complicity includes intentionally helping another to engage in an act of academic misconduct, or attempts thereof.
• VIOLATION OF UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENTAL, PROGRAM, COURSE, OR FACULTY RULES:  The violation of any University, College, Departmental, Program, Course, or Faculty Rules relating to academic matters that may lead to an unfair academic advantage by the student violating the rule(s).

• “If you have questions or are unclear about what constitutes academic misconduct on an assignment, please speak with me.  I take the honor code very seriously in the course.  The normal sanction I will recommend for a violation of the Honor Code is an F* sanction as your final course grade.  The F represents failure in the course.  The “*” is intended to identify a student who has failed to uphold the values of academic integrity at Virginia Tech.  A student who receives a sanction of F* as their final course grade shall have it documented on their transcript with the notation “FAILURE DUE TO ACADEMIC HONOR CODE VIOLATION.” You would be required to complete an education program administered by the Honor System in order to have the “*” and notation “FAILURE DUE TO ACADEMIC HONOR CODE VIOLATION” removed from your transcript.  The “F” however would be permanently on your transcript.”

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VI. DESIGN PROJECT

The students will have the opportunity to execute a small final project as part of this class. I will provide more information as the course evolves.

 

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VII. COURSE EVALUATION

The following grading system will be used in this course.

Grades will be assigned according to a standard grade scale used at Virginia Tech.

VIII. OFFICE HOURS and other HELP

My office is located in Patton Hall 301-P . You can reach me at (540) 231-4418 or e-mail to vuela@vt.edu. I will have the following virtual office hours this semester.

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
A. Trani		None	2:00 to 3:00 PM	None	2:00 to 3:00 PM

Feel free to ask questions in class and during these office hours and do not hesitate to raise issues of class concern. If these office hours result inconvenient to you please let me know and I will try to arrange an appointment at some suitable time. If you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible during my office hours.

Special Accommodations

Students are encouraged to address any special needs or special accommodations with me during the first two weeks of the semester, or as soon as you become aware of your needs. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Faculty Letter from the Services for Students with Disabilities office (540-231-0858) located at 250 S. Main Street Suite 300 (Kent Square). You can visit the following web site for information http://www.ssd.vt.edu/ ).

University Principles

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world community. Learning from the experiences that shape Virginia Tech as an institution, we acknowledge those aspects of our legacy that reflected bias and exclusion. Therefore, we adopt and practice the following principles as fundamental to our on-going efforts to increase access and inclusion and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members:

• We affirm the inherent dignity and value of every person and strive to maintain a climate for work and learning based on mutual respect and understanding.
• We affirm the right of each person to express thoughts and opinions freely. We encourage open expression within a climate of civility, sensitivity, and mutual respect.
• We affirm the value of human diversity because it enriches our lives and the University. We acknowledge and respect our differences while affirming our common humanity.
• We reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including those based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. We take individual and collective responsibility for helping to eliminate bias and discrimination and for increasing our own understanding of these issues through education, training, and interaction with others.
• We pledge our collective commitment to these principles in the spirit of the Virginia Tech motto of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Covid-19 Protocols

Virginia Tech is committed to protecting the health and safety of all members of its community. By participating in this class, all students agree to abide by the Virginia Tech Wellness principles (https://www.vt.edu/public-health/covid-19/covid-guidelines.html). To adhere to these, you must do the following in this class:

• Mask are optional but encouraged.
• Do not attend the class or gatherings if you are sick. Test yourself if you suspect you have COVID-19, Influenza or RSB virus.
• Isolate yourself from campus if you test positive for COVID or begin to feel symptoms that might be related to COVID (see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
• Be respectful of the well-being of others by practicing appropriate personal hygiene and by providing appropriate physical distance when feasible.
• I will create a Zoom (Virtual) link for you to attend class if your are sick. 
  

If a student will miss significant class activities because of the need to self-isolate, then the Dean of Students Office should be contacted for an official absence verification. Prolonged absences may be difficult to make-up. Students should consult with their advisor about possible options if too much course work is missed to feasibly make-up. All my classes are pre-recorded so I cann provide guidance on what lectures to watch.